The Power of the Power of the Holy Spirit

It struck me earlier today just how important the power of the Holy Spirit it is. Sure we all say that we need empowerment by the Spirit to walk the Christian walk but I saw it in a new way today when I was thinking about Yeshua's early years.

He of course lived a sinless life, increasing in wisdom, stature and in  favour with God and man (Luke 2:52). That would be enough to be a real threat to the enemy right? After all Yeshua was so versed in the scriptures that He was able to engage the temple priests in conversation. Certainly that had the devil running for the hills. Well we find no evidence in scripture that the enemy bothered at all with Him. It seems that other than inspiring Herod to try to kill the infant Yeshua, he left the maker of the Universe completely unmolested... that is... until His baptism.

When the Holy Spirit descended upon the Messiah like a dove, EVERYTHING changed... and the enemy knew it! That is why he then went on the offensive, trying to temp Yeshua to sinning. (His utter gall in trying this is the stuff of another post).

I wonder then, for those that are striving to live a holy life (a good thing to do I might add) and train our minds to stay in the Word (also very necessary)... are we missing something critical?

To talk about what exactly the baptism of the Holy Spirit means might cause more division than anything so I won't try. Suffice it to say that this writer is pretty much in the centre of the spectrum when it comes to gifts of the Spirit and other manifestations. This particular post is not so much about a definition of Spirit empowerment but it's importance in the effectiveness of the believer.

It is when a believer is flowing in the power of the Spirit that he/she can do what Yeshua did and have a real effect for the kingdom of God. And it also means, that is when the enemy will be afraid enough of what is happening through that believer that he will pour on the attacks and diversions.

That should be bit of a red  flag in itself. If everything is going smoothly in our lives it may just be because we are no threat to the enemy. Not always of course but if that is the case, perhaps it's time for a self examination. If however you are operating in the Spirit (with the miracles to prove it) and enjoying a peace and joy from within while trials and temptations surround you, then congratulations, you are living the life of Christ.

Shalom