Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. – (1 John 4:1)

Occasionally, we hear someone say something, preach something, or teach something that doesn’t sit well in our hearts. We have a nagging feeling that something just isn’t quite right with what they are saying. The Holy Spirit within us gives us what I call “the greasies” — that sick feeling in the pit of our stomach that something isn’t quite right.

The things said could be very pleasing to us, they could be difficult for us to hear, or they could be the culturally acceptable point of view. No matter on what trajectory the comments reach us, we need to pray and seek the Spirit’s leading and then open the Scriptures to check and see if what we heard is really from God.

Spiritual discernment is an important work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Prayer : O Father, I confess that I get busy and distracted. In such times, I know that I don’t practice good spiritual discernment. In the rush of my life, I neglect opening your word as often as I and I don’t come into your presence seeking to have my heart tuned by your Holy Spirit. Father, please forgive me and also guide me through the leading of your Spirit so I may better know and obey your will.

Whatever happens, as citizens of heaven live in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together with one accord for the faith of the gospel.- (Philippians 1:27)

At first glance, we are not sure whether the word “Spirit” in this passage should be capitalized or not. Yet as we’ve read this past week, the love we share for each other and the unity that we have in Christ are inspired and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

We stand together, we are part of the same family, because of the tie we share together in the Holy Spirit. Our strength to strive for common goals and to make every effort to be one comes from the unifying power and presence of the Holy Spirit.

The love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and faithfulness we have in our lives come because of the presence of the Holy Spirit. So now, let’s seek to let the Spirit’s influence mold us
and shape us so we can work together for the sake of the good news of Jesus.

Prayer : Almighty God, whatever happens in my life, I want to honor you, share Jesus, and display the fruit of the Spirit. I want to bless your people and stand together in unity with them, working for the cause of the gospel. So I ask for your help to honor this commitment, to keep it foremost in my heart, and to not be distracted or deterred by disappointment, hardship, heartache, or my own fleshly desires. I ask for this grace, in the name and power of Jesus Christ. Amen.

If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care — then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. – (Philippians 2:1-2)

We have so many blessings being in Jesus.

One of those blessings is the fellowship we have based on the Holy Spirit — “being in a community of the Spirit.”

This blessing must change the way we treat each other! As deep-spirited friends — as brothers and sisters in the Spirit — let’s agree to treat each other with loving respect. This commitment will be empowered by the Holy Spirit and becomes even more crucial when relationships are strained and tough.

Being filled with the Spirit is more than just having special power for difficult times and great opportunities; it also means treating those in Christ in ways that honor Christ!

Prayer : O Father, forgive me for the times my selfishness, ego, or prejudice have kept me from displaying the character of the Holy Spirit toward my brothers and sisters in Christ. I ask that you form me more completely into the person you want me to be by the power of your Spirit. May the fruit of the Spirit be present in my life, I pray, in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.