AIC 8: Living Consistently in the Power of the Holy Spirit


Look Back

Objectives

  1. Identify three barriers that keep a Christian from consistently walking in the Spirit.

  2. Explain ways for a Christian to deal with these barriers.

  3. List the prerequisites to being filled with the Holy Spirit.

  4. Motivate a new believer for further involvement in the discipleship process.


Look Up

Bible Study

Indicate your thoughts by answering these true and false statements.

_____ A more mature Christian needs to depend on the Holy Spirit less than a young Christian.

_____ A person walking in the Spirit will have a life free from problems and difficulties.

_____ A person must be a Christian for many years in order to walk daily with the Lord.

_____ A spiritually mature person can still sin.

Observation/ Interpretation:

The Barrier of Unconfessed Sin

Unconfessed sin results in a break of our fellowship with God. You will remember that our relationship with God, like the relationship of the father and son, is permanent. But, our fellowship can be broken by our disobedience. Unless the son takes the initiative by going to his father, admitting that he is wrong, and asking for forgiveness, the fellowship remains strained. Let’s see what the Bible says about unconfessed sin.

Psalm 66:18

What results when there is unconfessed sin in our lives?

If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened

Psalm 66:18

Psalm 32:1-5

How did unconfessed sin affect David’s life? (v.3,4)

What was the solution to David’s problem? (v.5)

To whom did he confess? (v. 5)

What was the result of his confession? (v.5)

1 Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
2 Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.
3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.

Psalm 32:1-5

The Barrier of Self-effort

Some Christians try to live the Christian life by their own will power and efforts. Unfortunately, it always ends in failure and defeat. Let’s look at one man’s attempts to live the Christian life depending on his own resources..

Romans 7

Was Paul declaring to please God? (v.18)

Were his actions consistent with his desires? Explain. (v.15,19)

How did these results make him feel? (v. 24)

Why did he fail in achieving his desire? (v.21-23)

How could he have been successful? (8:2,13,14)

14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

Romans 7:14-25


2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
Romans 8:2,13,14

The Barrier of Trials

Many Christians allow bad circumstances or trials to discourage them in their faith. We need to understand that the Lord has a purpose for allowing us to experience trials. Let’s look at some of the reasons that God brings trials into our lives, and how we should respond.

Why does God bring trials into the lives of Christians?

1 Peter 1:6-7

James 1:2-4

6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
1 Peter 1:6-7

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4

How should Christians respond to these trials?

James 1:2

1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

Proverbs 3: 5-6

James 1:12

What will be the ultimate result of our proper response to trials?

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually
1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3: 5-6

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12

Application

1. If you are encountering any or all of the barriers to a consistent Spirit-filled walk, write it down.
a. Unconfessed sin
b. Sin of self-effort ( State the specific area)
c. Improper response to trials ( causing you to lose heart or lose faith)

2. Confess the sins to God and appropriate the filling of the Holy Spirit. Keep in mind the prerequisites for being filled with the Holy Spirit.
a. Desire to be filled.
b. No unconfessed sin.
c. By faith claiming the filing of the Holy Spirit according to the command in Ephesians 5:18 and the promise in 1 John 5:14,15

3. What specific steps can you take to overcome these barriers?

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit
Ephesians 5:18

14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
1 John 5:14,15

Quick Quiz

  1. What are the three barriers that keep a Christian from consistently walking in the Spirit?

  2. How can a Christian deal with these barriers?

  3. What are the prerequisites to being filled with the Holy Spirit?


Look Forward

Assignments and Reminders

  1. Continue working on Lesson 3 and Lesson 4 of Ten Basic Steps to Christian Maturity Step 1 (The Christian Adventure).

  2. Read and take note of important points in Transferrable Concept #3 (How to be Filled with the Spirit).