Being Convicted, Indwelt & Empowered by the Spirit (paradise, crucified, Gospel)

[Brother Michael]

Being Convicted, Indwelt & Empowered by the Spirit

When we give ourselves up to God our Father by surrendering & submitting ourselves completely through Christ Jesus. We fully acknowledge that Christ Jesus is our personal Savior and Messiah. That He gave His life for you so you may have the freewill choice to repent through Him, and be delivered from all your transgressions against God our Father. Against all your trespasses against all humanity and against your own self. As Christ Jesus said at death; “Father, forgive them for what they do, for they do not know what they do.” Those words continuously ring throughout my ears when I see the worst of humankind. Do understand that the Spirit of God is the Holy Spirit, and that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God. For the Spirit of God is the Father, the Son & the Holy Spirit. For Jesus is in the Father as the Father is in the Son, as the Holy Spirit is the Father & the Son. Therefore, the works of the Spirit is of the Father.

As you acknowledge that Christ Jesus is your personal Savior and that He is the Son of the living God raised from the dead to rise to God our Fathers side in the heavens. Christ Jesus comes into us by the Spirit of God, and the Spirit of God anoints us (lays upon us, graces us, blesses us, or harbored in us). When the Spirit of God does anoint us, three glorious works of the Lord will happen to us….

1) We are first convicted by the Spirit of God.

2) We are secondly indwelt by the Spirit of God

3) We are then empowered by the Spirit of God

When we are convicted by the Spirit of God, the first work of the Spirit of God is the conviction of sin. If we are temples of the Spirit, His presence, His name in us will convict us, and others, of sin. We will feel more affinity towards those who, like us, long for more conviction, repentance, and the power of God to live a life that will stand the test of fire. The Spirit of God will show us our sinful ways so we may repent these sinful ways so that the Spirit of God will conform us.

For example: Think of a baseball diamond. There is first base, second base, third base, and then home base. The work of the Spirit of God could be modeled after "running the bases" for home

First base is guilt, second is repentance, and third is the power, and home base is finished (living in the Spirit of God). Those with real guilt problems have stalled out at first base. We must go through all the bases in order to come home, and our coach is encouraging us to run the entire circuit. Some would like to run straight to third base, others have sensed their own guilt but want to skip repentance and claim God's grace and power. And so on. Many are listening to the other team's coach and the heckles coming from the stands. "Get off that guilt trip!" However, it took some doing for God to make us sick of our sin. Are we going to allow God to complete what He has started, or will we stall out on first? Worse still, will we veer from conviction before ever getting to first base with God? In our counsel to others, whose team are we on?

When we are saved, we are sealed, or as also referred to as indwelt with the Spirit, which can also mean we are conformed by the Spirit of God. What this means, those who are truly indwelt by the Spirit will find themselves more interested in God Himself. You will have a more personal relationship with God our Father through His Son Christ Jesus. What this means is that when you are conformed (indwelt) by the Spirit of God, you are now made sacred, consecrated or set apart, & then dedicated to use unto God our Father. In turn, you are made similar or alike God spiritually. However, there is a difference between being indwelt by the Spirit of God than being filled by the Spirit of God.


Being Indwelt and Being Filled with the Spirit
There is a difference between being indwelt and being filled, in that being indwelt is when we are first saved and is for always. When you first are saved, you receive the Spirit and the Spirit dwells in you (Rom 8:9, 15; Gal 4:6; Eph 1:13). Being filled is different and is for us to serve God (Eph 5:18), and that is not demonstrated by feelings or strange language or strange behavior, in fact, we might not know we are filled.

Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;



We are filled for service, such as when we witness (John 15:26). We witness using the word of God. Our lives must be clean, and others can see the sort of life we live day by day. If we live for the devil others can see that, and in such a case, they should not want to listen to us telling them the need of repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
We must have repentance toward God, repentance of sins, and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, live for our great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. We do not witness to others the saving power of Jesus Christ to save us from our from our sins by falling on the floor and acting the fool, or saying unintelligible words. The drunk does that falling down and strange talk, but we have a message to tell, and we ought to be clear in that message (1 Cor 14:19; Matt 1:21)

Ephesians 1:13-14

13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

Romans 8:9

9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.



Being indwelt by the Spirit of God will remain with you from conviction just as the two scriptures clearly state above, but being filled with the Spirit of God is different. When indwelt by the Spirit of God, it cannot be lost, but being filled by the Spirit is a repeated experience in a believer’s life. There is one Spirit Baptism, and many Spirit fillings (we are constantly being renewed). If you do not yield to God our Fathers will as being yours, the Spirit of God can seemingly be lost, but always renewed.



Indwelling, or being indwelt:


1. Occurs only one time in each believer’s life - 1 Cor 6... Your body is the temple...
2. Spirit indwelt Old Testament believers - 1 Pet 1:11... Spirit of Christ which was in them...
3. True of "all" believers
4. Cannot be lost
5. Occurs when we believe in Christ
6. Results in a position (We are in Christ)
7. No prerequisite (Nothing more you have to do or can do to be indwelt)


Filling, be filled with the Spirit
1. A repeated experience in the believer’s life
2. Occurred in the Old Testament as well, but not for all, only for God's special times.
3. Now for all believers but not all experience because of our not yielding.
4. Can be seemingly lost, but can be renewed
5. Can occur throughout the Christian's life (John 14:16)
6. Results in "power"
7. Depends on Christian yielding.


Summary of the difference between indwelt and filled:
1) When we are saved, we are sealed, or as also referred to as indwelt with the Spirit;
2) Being sealed and being filled are two separate things;
3) We have it available to be filled after we are saved, and being filled is for service, that to be day by day, step by step;
4) We are indwelt with the Spirit one time, but filled with the Spirit many times over.


Being Empowered by the Spirit of God


Most do not understand the true meaning of the empowerment of the Spirit of God, and some reach the conclusion or are lead to believe that they are powered, charged, or fired by the Spirit of God. This is not true. Being empowered by the Spirit of God is the outward works of the Fruits of the Spirit that overflow from you after you have already been convicted & conformed (indwelt) by the Spirit of God. For example…


Psalm 23: 5


“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”


“You anoint my head with oil” means you are being anointed by the spirit of God and being made sacred, consecrated or set-apart, and dedicated to use unto God our Father.



Yes, you can be anointed with oil, but oil is just that…”oil”. Anointing oil is just pure extra virgin olive oil blended by a master perfumer with pure cane, pure frankincense & myrrh, and must be blessed by the Spirit of God for use of anointing. The olive tree has been a symbol of peace and prosperity since the time the dove returned to Noah’s Ark with an olive branch. The olive tree “epitomizes the Spirit of the Lord” and for that reason, it was forbidden to cut it down in ancient times. In the scriptures, it mentions people, places & things anointed by Holy Oil. There is three types of anointing for people…”Sacred, medical & ordinary.” The Apostle’s went out two by two . . ., and anointed the sick (Ps.23:5; Mar.6:13). Elders of the church are instructed to anoint the sick for the purpose of healing (Jam.5:14). The dead are anointed before burial (Mar.14:3-9).


“….my cup overflows” means once you have been indwelt (conformed) by the Spirit of God, the Fruits of the Spirit of God overflow from inside you (empowerment of the Spirit)), or other words, it comes outward from within in us. This is the works of the Fruit of the Spirit of God. As long as we live by the Spirit of God we will always overflow with the works of the Fruit of the Spirit of God, which in turn lead to the works of the Gifts of the Spirit of God.


John 15:7-8
“7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”



Galatians 5:16-18 & 24-26
“16 So I say, walk (live) by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh (sinful nature). 17 For the flesh (sinful nature) desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh (sinful nature). They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[a] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”
“24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”


So, the question goes…”How can we sin if we walk (live) by the Spirit?



For it is not the sins of the world that make us a sinner; it is what comes out of us that makes us sinners. If we do not have the Fruits of the Spirit of God working in us, then we will fall short walking (living) by the Spirit, and we will do sinful things. Thus the need for filling of the Spirit of God daily in this life journey of ours. No one has ever lived a perfect life with the exception of one...”Christ Jesus”. Jesus was the only one to walk (live) a perfect life with the Spirit. Jesus dealt with the world as we do every day; He dealt with all the sinful nature of this world and of flesh, but what came out of Him was the fruits of the Spirit of God at work, not sin. Jesus did go off and pray alone quite often to have His personal relation ship with God our Father, and by doing so, Jesus conquered this sinful nature of the world. This is the reason we need to have a personal relationship with God our Father. We need this personal relationship with our Father to pray to be filled with the Spirit of God daily so we will not fall short of walking (living) by the Spirit and slipping into a sinful nature.



The 9 Gifts Compared to the 9 Fruits
So many today seek the Gifts without first acquiring the Fruit in their life. We must have the Fruit of the Spirit at work, if we want God to entrust us with the Gifts of the Spirit.

Gifts of the Spirit 1 Corinthians 12

1. Word of Wisdom
2. Word of Knowledge
3. Faith
4. Healings
5. Working of Miracles
6. Prophecy
7. Discerning of Spirits
8. Different Kinds of Tongues
9. Interpretation of Tongues

Fruits of the Spirit Galatians 5:22-23

1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Longsuffering (Patience)
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness (Righteousness)
8. Gentleness
9. Self Control

1. The Word of Wisdom supernaturally discloses the mind, purpose, and the way of God as applied to a specific situation. If we have the Wisdom of God, then we must have Love, for God is Love. If you search for the first gift of the Spirit, you must possess the first fruit of the Spirit.
2. The Word of Knowledge is a supernatural revelation of information about a specific thing and has to do with an immediate need. Jesus gave instruction to His disciples so His Joy would remain in them and be full. A Word of Knowledge will always be received with Joy from His disciples, so we must first strive to have the fruit of Joy in our lives.
3. Faith is a special outpouring of supernatural Faith for release of a miracle. Even a small amount of Faith in our Father will bring Peace into our lives. If we have the Peace that passes all understanding then we will be ready for the Gift of Faith when the need arises. So seek first to have the fruit of the Spirit: Peace.
4. Healings are those Healings that God performs supernaturally. If we are Longsuffering, then we have learned to be content in any situation as Paul was. He learned that in his weakness, Jesus strength was made perfect. So if we can learn to be Longsuffering in all, then we will be able to accept the supernatural Healing God has for us. Faith produces miracles, but miracles do not necessarily produce faith, unless we know how to rejoice in any situation. That we do not look for the Healing, but for the relationship with God that will bring about the Healing.
5. Working of Miracles is a manifestation of Divine power to perform something that could not be done naturally. Jesus performed many Miracles because He had compassion on the crowds and acted with Kindness. Without the Fruit of Kindness, we would not be able to use the Gift how God would want us to.
6. Prophecy is a supernatural disclosure, a sudden Spirit inspired insight that brings exhortation to the body of Christ. Goodness means to have decency, generosity, righteousness. To exhort and edify the body of Christ we must first possess the virtues and values, which are synonymous with Goodness.
7. Discerning of Spirits is to detect the true spirit behind the acts and manifestations taking place around us. It is used to further build Faithfulness on our Lord and Savior. The fruit of Faithfulness is the foundation for being true only to our Lord, and the acts of the Holy Spirit. We may then seek the gift of Discerning of Spirits to further our perception of the workings of the true Spirit of God.
8. Different kinds of Tongues is praying or singing in a supernatural or heavenly language, which has a specific message associated with it. James tells us about the things from above, that they are pure, peaceful, and Gentle. How can we seek the Gift, which will deliver a message to God’s people if we first do not seek fruit of His likeness?
9. Interpretation of tongues is translating the message of tongues so that the heavenly message may be given. Would you trust someone translating for you that put his or her own thoughts and words into your message? You would want someone of great Self Control to be true and accurate. How much more would our Father want someone of Self Control to translate His holy message to His people?

A little defining of the Fruits of the Spirits

LOVE: spiritual love is unconditional, no matter what the circumstances are. This form of love is divine and only develops after a considerable amount of spiritual practice when one perceives God in everyone

JOY: "spiritual joy," which follows justification; for "being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Before justification, we have no right to joy; and after it, we have no reason for misery. The spirit of true religion is essentially a spirit of pure and elevated joy, and it is thus distinguished from superstition, which is as essentially a spirit of gloom, and fear, and abject sorrow. Situated as the believer is between one paradise lost by sin, and another restored by grace—he may be expected to combine in his experience, the seemingly opposing states of mind described by the apostle, where he says, "sorrowful—yet always rejoicing," and the tears which he sheds for his transgressions, however numerous and penitential, should still be irradiated with a predominant smile of delight, and appear like dew-drops sparkling in the sun. By spiritual joy, I do not mean simply the joy of pious people, for all their joy does not answer to this description. But I mean—the joy produced by true religion. It is that holy peace which is the result of Divine truth—understood, believed, and contemplated. It is not mere exhilaration of the animal spirits, the joyousness produced by good health, worldly prosperity, friendship, or gratification of taste. Much of the Christian's enjoyment upon earth is produced by those susceptibilities and possessions which belong to him as a man—and this portion of his gratification is perfectly innocent; but this is not properly speaking spiritual joy. True it is that his spiritual delight may blend itself, and does, with his more common pleasures, sweetening, sanctifying, and elevating them all; and may indeed itself be somewhat modified by them—but still it is of a different kind. It is the joy of faith, of hope, of love—it is joy in God, in Christ, in holiness, in heaven.


PEACE: This will always be felt when we have released all guilt and have forgiven all wrongs done against us, including ourselves.



“God, who is our Creator, will give us peace. "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7



“Christ, who is our Redeemer, will give us peace. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27



[CENTER][CENTER]THE REQUIREMENTS FOR OUR PEACE[/CENTER][/CENTER]
I. If we want to have peace, we must be in the Kingdom of God. "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit." Romans 14:17
2. If we want to enjoy peace, we must be Spiritually minded. "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." Romans 8:6
3. If we want to attain peace, we must be a peacemaker: not a troublemaker. "Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9
4. If we want to achieve peace, we must try to live peaceably with all men. "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." Romans 12:18
5. If we want to receive peace, we must seek it. "For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile; Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensure it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil." 1 Peter 3:10-12

6. If we want to have peace, we must follow it. "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14



Example…
People usually get annoyed either because they are in a bad mood, or they are nurturing unpleasant thoughts about another. However, the main reason for our annoyance is that we don’t reproach ourselves: this incurs spiritual disturbance and loss of inner peace. The true and genuine path toward a calm disposition is continual self-reproach. Even if a person had accomplished many good deeds yet doesn’t hold fast to the path of self-reproach, he will never cease being annoyed and insulting others, thereby losing the fruits of his good labor. In contrast, what joy and tranquility that person acquires who reproaches himself! Wherever he goes and whatever unpleasantness happens, or whatever insults he hears; he has convinced himself beforehand that he deserves all types of sorrows. That’s why when something unpleasant does happen, he doesn’t get annoyed. What more sorrow less condition can there be?


Longsuffering: the quality or capacity of being patient; to endure something with calmness; the ability to willingly accept or tolerate delay or hardship

Various translations use "longsuffering," "patience" or "forbearance" to translate the Greek word Makrothumia. This word combines the roots makro, meaning "long," and thumos, meaning "temper," so it literally means "to be long-tempered." It implies the opposite of "short temper," describing the mind holding back a long time before it expresses itself in action or passion. Makrothumia is rarely rendered as "patience" and never as "forbearance" in the New Testament, although both words are considered synonyms of "longsuffering."Longsuffering is an attribute of God and thus a fruit of His Holy Spirit.God bears long and is slow to anger. Longsuffering is proof of God's goodness, faithfulness and His desire to grant us salvation. Romans 2:4 describes God as forbearing and longsuffering. Forbearance is refraining from the enforcement of something that is due like a debt, right, or obligation. Longsuffering differs slightly in that its emphasis is on temperament

God relents from doing harm. His longsuffering is seen in His gracious restraint of His wrath towards those who deserve it. Despite the rebellious condition of the world, He waited patiently for 120 years while Noah built the ark and gathered the animals. God's longsuffering does not overlook anything. Unlike man, God has the end in view. He has true insight, knows what is best and is not swayed by human emotions.Christ's patient and enduring handling of sinners demonstrates His longsuffering. God promises that He will be long-tempered with us as we repent and dedicate ourselves to the obedience and service of God. As in everything else, Jesus Christ sets the standard of longsuffering.

Kindness: Kindness is characterized by a mild, pleasant disposition and an expression of tenderness and care for others. Kindness is considered a virtue and is highly valued in many cultures and religions

Goodness:

Faithfulness: Spiritual faithfulness is not automatic, but requires recognizing and following godly examples who follow the Scriptures.

[Brother Michael]

Just wanted everyone to know that this is still the works, and that the 9 Gifts of the Spirit compared to the 9 Fruits of the Spirit breakdown of explanation is just the basics.