Greater Supernatural Strength

GREATER SUPERNATURAL STRENGTH

Galatians 5:22-23

The fifth of seven devotions in Master Class Series

“But the fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

Those who believe in Jesus Christ, making Him master of their lives, begin a life-long journey of wonder. Words like new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), redemption, forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7), predestined, called, justified, glorified (Romans 8:30), inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14), and sanctified (Romans 14-16) come alive with supernatural meaning.

Sanctification=God in us. What?

Jesus says in John 14:16-17, “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you.”

We learned in the previous devotion, Greatest Human Strength, that people need something greater than human power to control ourselves. Human lack of self-control gets us into trouble, usually with suffering. But believers-in-Christ can live successful victorious lives. Our secret is the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Sixth grader Labron pushed every one of fourth grader Miguel’s buttons by ridiculing the way he threw a football at recess. Miguel had heard enough. Fists up, Miguel intended to deck Labron. But Miguel’s classmate, Greg, stopped Miguel, (probably saving him from being suspended from school for fighting). Sanctification—transforming Christians into Christ likeness—is the Holy Spirit’s job.

Miguel needed help to control his anger, and Greg physically stepped in. Since Miguel believes in Jesus, his indwelling Holy Spirit was blaring a warning. But Miguel’s anger roared louder. We all need the Holy Spirit’s supernatural strength, that’s greater than our own, to control ourselves. But we need to “hear” (one’s conscience) Him.

The indwelling Holy Spirit enables believers to live a defended life. He protects us from the powers, like anger, that seek to control us. The opening Scripture lists fruit of the Spirit—of which self-control is one. Our job is to obey—when the Holy Spirit’s empowering us to do what’s right. Let’s avoid grieving Him who seals us for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30).

How do we grieve the Holy Spirit? When we break any of God’s commandments, such as lying, stealing, or cursing in God’s Name, we upset the supernatural Spirit.

Take Home Nugget

Self-control doesn’t come from human intellect, willpower, determination, or resolve. The Holy Spirit’s greater supernatural strength trumps the weaker human greatest strength. Allowing the Holy Spirit to empower us with supernatural strength isn’t luck. It’s believers’ choice to live triumphantly with the Holy Spirit’s power and protection.

My strength overpowers the world’s strength when I allow my inner power to be my supernatural strength.

J.D. Griffith

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