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Good morning.
In our recent message entitled ‘Bearing What Fruit?’ we’ve seen that the more we allow the Holy Spirit to take control, the more of His fruit He is able to manifest through us, i.e. the less attention we give to our sinful nature and its worldly, materialistic desires, the more we’ll have available for the Holy Spirit. Back in November I posted an article entitled ‘Remove the Air’ http://bibbytes.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/remove-air.html. The context then was idol worship.
I’d like to use the same analogy in this current perspective, just in more detail. The water in a bowl (which signifies life) represents the Holy Spirit and the air in a bottle (which signifies man) represents the sinful nature. If we try to get the bottle to stay under the water we can work as hard as we wish - pressing the bottle down, holding it there, putting a brick on it, etc. When it gets the chance, however, it will pop out of the water. If, however, we remove the barrier between the water and the air, the cap (representing sin), the water (the Holy Spirit) has access to the inside of the bottle. It, however, has one more obstacle – the air. As long as we keep the bottle facing downwards the air (the sinful nature) will stay inside, but as soon as we face it upwards the air will bubble out and the water will fill the bottle, which will sink to the bottom of the bowel and become one with the water.
This is the purpose of trials, to help us to face upwards so sinful nature could make place for the Holy Spirit. For years I’ve been forgiving automatically, but then had another serious occasion of offence I had to deal with. I have forgiven the people, but it took longer than usual, so I asked myself why. I had a look into my life and discovered I had some idols that needed to be dealt with. This was easier said than done, but if we’re adamant to live a holy life, the Lord is faithful in helping us getting there. “For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation,” (Philippians 2:13-15).
Eventually I broke away from the power of my idols and submitted to the Lord unconditionally. It was then that I discovered the joy of the fruit of the Spirit manifesting in me effortlessly. But this needs to be maintained. We have to “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak,” (Matthew 26:41). Pride, comfort, sinful desires and the like are lurking on the horizon all the time, seeking to take control, “For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want,” (Galatians 5:17).
We actually have a little bottle of air for each of various areas of our life that needs to be kept filled with the water of the Spirit. Just as we think we’re okay in one area, another piece of sinful nature demands control of us, doesn’t it.
Maybe you think that you’re not like this. Everything goes hanky-dory and your life is a smooth ride. If so you may be in a very dangerous position, for Jesus promised us hardship and persecution if we’re obedient and fruitful, and living by the Spirit will cause the flesh to retaliate. Maybe such a person should look at how obedient they are.
Lord, help me to empty myself of self so you can fill me.
Thank you Lord that your Word went out from your mouth, via your servant’s pen, and it will not return to you empty, but will accomplish what you desire and achieve the purpose for which you sent it.
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