Message #13 (of 20) from the PrayerPower radio series
"Asking for the Spirit's Life"

by Kaye Johns

The Holy Spirit indwells believers, those who have been born again into the kingdom of God [Acts 2:38]. He is resident in us, and yet, though we have Him, He may not be manifesting His presence in and through us as fully and freely as He desires. We’re told we must choose to be filled with His presence daily [Eph. 5:18].

Our choice concerns sin. Paul, in Ephesians, describes what it means to live as children of light, and he urges us to live that way, finding out as we go along what pleases the Lord [Eph. 5:8-10]. Within the context of chapter four, in a passage that lists all kinds of sins, from anger to bitterness, slander and malice, we are told "do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God." [Eph. 4:30]

God’s Spirit is not only grieved over our unconfessed sins, but our sins prevent Him from living in and through us--He will not manifest His presence where sin resides. He is the Holy Spirit. With unconfessed sin in our lives, there is no way we can ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit, for He is given to those who obey the Lord [Acts 5:32]. With unconfessed sin in our hearts, there is no way we can live as children of light, who are pleasing to the Lord [Eph. 5:8-10]. With unconfessed sin in our hearts, we are shutting Him out of our lives.

Pray with me now -- Father, we ask for the Holy Spirit to convict us of our sins. Give us the desire to confess, that we may not grieve Him. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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