Recently, two young Christian women both made a similar comment to me on separate occasions: "I just realised that even the good things I do are selfishly motivated by approval from other people. I'm horrified to realise how much I sin!" What would you have said to them? I was mightily encouraged and told them so! Every time I recognize my own sin and hate it, it is evidence that the Holy Spirit is at work in my heart. Paul writes in Romans 8:5, "Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires." And having the Holy Spirit is a guarantee from God that I am irrevocable destined for heaven (Romans 8:14-17). Not only that: having the Holy Spirit is how God helps me to sin less and less, to love God more and more. The person without the Holy Spirit is helpless against sin, but the one with has forgiveness and help. Praise God with me this week for the gift of the Holy Spirit. If you are not sure whether you have the Holy Spirit why don't you pray that God will give the Spirit to you or help you recognise that the Spirit is already at work in you?
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