We are to do our best to honor God and follow His laws, but we aren’t perfect. Are we expected to do this on our own? Do we have the ability to do that on our own?
Let’s look at Zechariah 4:6
So he said to me [Zechariah], “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” Zechariah 4:6
New International Version
Not by my might, but by God’s Spirit. Who is God’s Spirit? That is the Holy Spirit that came upon the disciples on Pentecost. The Spirit of God living within us, guiding us and leading us.
Let’s also look at 1 Corinthians 2:1-5.
And so It was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
New International Version
We can see from this text that the knowledge, leading, and preaching of the Holy Spirit is greater than that of human wisdom. Therefore, when we let the Spirit lead us and work within us, we have the greatest guidance and wisdom in doing something.
Next, let’s look at 1 Peter 5:6.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:6
New International Version
We can see from this text that if we try on our own, we will fail. When we try with God, though, He will give us the strength and knowledge to carry on. This doesn’t mean that He magically makes us perfect. It does mean that He is there to help us bounce back after messing up and warn us when a bad choice is nearby.
What do we see when we put the understandings of these three texts together? We understand that we are not called to be perfect, we aren’t called to strive toward perfection, but we are called to let God lead us in the right direction through His Holy Spirit.
I’ve been listening to the song “Spirit Thing” by the original Newsboys recently. Look at some of the words from this song.
It’s an early warning sign
It keeps my life in line
But it’s so hard to define, never mindIt’s just a spirit thing
It’s just a holy nudge
It’s like a circuit judge in the brainIt’s just a spirit thing
It’s here to guard my heart
It’s just a little hard to explainIt pushes when I quit
It smells a counterfeit
Sometimes it works a bit like a teleprompterWhen it’s teleprompting you
I pray you’ll let it through
And I’ll help you with the how, but for nowIt’s just a spirit thing
Spirit Thing by Newsboys
It’s just a holy nudge
It’s like a circuit judge in the brain
Have you felt the nudge toward a decision from within? Have you felt like you were supposed to say specific words? Then I would say that you’ve felt the work of the Holy Spirit in your life.
Don’t feel discouraged when you are just trying to live everyday life. You as a human cannot be perfect. You as a human can ask God to lead you, though. This means that you will have to take the time to listen to what He is saying. Allow Him to lead you and He will lead you down the path of truth and life.
Keep your eyes open next week for Ball’s third blog post special!
