The Holy Spirit Brings Liberty

Once a young eagle was captured from its nest. Its captor kept it tied by a long string, and when it learned to fly, it could only fly round and round in a small circle. One day a man who loved birds saw it, and out of pity bought it. He cut off the string and waited. Did the eagle immediately soar toward the blue heavens as his liberator hoped? No, it continued to fly round and round in the same circle.

Many believers are like that bird. They could be free from the bondage of the old life, but they don't realize it. The Holy Spirit Himself has come to dwell in each believer, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty: liberty from the power of sin and habit; liberty to ignore the attractions of the world; and liberty to do the things that please God.

"Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your body."

Every believer has the Holy Spirit, but God's command is "Be filled with the Spirit." How can a person be filled with the Spirit? First of all he must be empty; he must be dissatisfied with anything less than God's fullness. Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled." The person must be empty of hidden sin and selfish motives. The Holy Spirit will not fill a dirty vessel, and He does not fill a man in order to make him appear spiritual, when he really isn't. Known sin must be confessed. If the sin is against God, then confess to Him. If against another person, then go and ask his forgiveness. If your sin was public, it must be publicly confessed. There must be willingness to do the will of God, even if that should mean leaving home and friends to be a witness in the uttermost part of the earth. There is no use arguing with God; He only gives His Spirit to those who obey Him.

The other thing to do is to ask in faith. Jesus said, "If you then being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him!" You don't have to beg and plead; God is eager to fill you. Have you asked to be filled with the Spirit? Did God answer your prayer? He did if you met the conditions. Do not demand some special sign from God in order to believe. God wants you to ask and then believe. You believe, not because you see, but because you know God is true. He always fulfills His Word.

What is the proof that a man is filled with the Spirit? There are various gifts of the Spirit. He gives different gifts to different believers. But the best proof that a man is truly filled is the fruit of the Spirit *, the first of which is love. Love for Christ is shown in obedience. Love for others is shown in things we do and not just in what we say. Love those who do not love you. Another proof is that one who is filled with the Spirit will desire to tell others, and the Holy Spirit will give him the power to speak right words to those who need to hear.

If you have been filled with the Spirit, be careful not to grieve Him. When you disobey, you grieve the Holy Spirit and quench His work in you. But when you walk in obedience and love, the Holy Spirit will work through you for great blessing to others.

*If time, quote the whole verse : love, joy, peace, etc.

I Cor. 6:19, 2O; Eph. 5:18; Matt. 6:6; Luke 11:13; I Cor. 13:1