Theme: THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Text: “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.” – Ephesians 5:17, 18.
Comment: God Almighty gives His holy spirit to those who are obedient by reason of their good heart condition and takes it from those who become proud and disobedient. The instance of King Saul among many others is food for thought for all believers who seek to be true disciples of Christ. When anointed and made king, Saul was given the Holy spirit and people saw the fruits of the spirit in him. (1 Samuel 10:6, 10-14) Afterwards when he showed himself to be a self-willed and disobedient person God took away His Holy spirit from him. (1 Samuel 16:14) In the Guide for today Apostle Paul warned us that excessive indulgence in alcohol prevents the Holy spirit from working in us. The same is true of other forms of sinful indulgencies such as fornication, adultery, stealing, witchcraft, murder, etc. This is so because the Holy spirit does not dwell in unholy or defiled bodies. Apostle Paul wrote: “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:6-8. See also 1 Corinthians 6:18-20). True discipleship is exemplified by the presence of the Holy spirit, the fruits of which are “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance”. – Galatians 5:22, 23.