the Holy Spirit

Regardless of the fact that we are told the Holy Spirit lives in us, the vast majority of Christians do not live according to this honor—either because they are not aware of it, or because they are not yet able to rise to God’s expectations. Tabernacling the Holy Spirit is similar to how pre-Christian cultures explained the experience of being a receptacle for a daimon—a spirit believed to inhabit the talented. They believed that gifted individuals were inhabited by a spirit that enabled them to perform acts others could not. Yet despite this indwelling, the talented were (and still are) required to develop their gift through hard work.

In the same way, Christians inhabited by the Holy Ghost still need to proactively develop what the Spirit is producing in them. A lazy approach is by no means commendable and will not lead them to the goal God has designed for them. Living out the full truth and sanctity is what matters in the Spirit-filled life. Speaking the truth, avoiding sin, and emphasizing love—this is the path on which the Holy Ghost is leading us toward Christ, the Coming Judge.

Most importantly, the believer must be determined to flee from situations in which he feels powerless, and in moments of more moderate temptation, he should firmly reject every form of compromise.