I Can't Work Like This

“I can’t work like this” was something I found funny as I was reading and writing during my daily devotion. I

was reflecting on something the Holy Spirit had brought back to my attention. Let's just say, the spirit was willing, but the flesh is weak. I had a moment of doing things my way that was not producing the results God desires for my life.

The Holy Spirit was trying to guide me in the way I should go and yet here I am making it harder for him. At that moment it felt as if he said, "I can’t work like this."

It’s not that he does not have the ability to help me. He can’t do what he was sent to do because I won’t allow him to. My flesh keeps getting in the way.

The Holy Spirit has a job to do and when we continue to do it ourselves, he can’t work the work he was sent to do.

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” - John 14:26

The Holy Spirit is our teacher. He comes to guide us in all things concerning Christ and the love for our Father.

He will not help you dishonor your Father neither will he do anything that will lead you astray. When we find ourselves out of God’s will, we have now gotten in his way. We have blocked the Holy Spirit from accessing a part of us we said belongs to God.

This grieves the Holy Spirit.

In my mind, I could picture the Holy Spirit not having a pity party, but being in a place of disappointment. He knows what’s best for us and when we continue to do things our way, it doesn’t allow him to bring us closer to our Father or our purpose.

We find ourselves at a stand still and wonder why there is no progression. Then our Father comes and when he shows up, he’s coming to correct and discipline.

I felt as if I had gotten in trouble and now I must face the consequences.

Only our Father doesn’t punish us, but brings us closer to him to remind us why the Holy Spirit was sent to us. We must remember that He knows what we need before we even ask. Even when we don’t know what to say, the Holy Spirit makes intercession for us.

He is not trying to control our lives but to bring us to a place of knowing our Father intimately and knowing the person God created.

As I began to submit to his authority, I realized that the power of God lies within us. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is here to help us. That power was given so that we can do the work that we were sent to do. The Holy Spirit makes sure we are prepared and equipped with power.

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” - Acts 1:8

We need that power to bring about change in the earth. But if we refuse to listen to him, we will not know what to do.

When I taught preschool, we would start our circle time with scripture and prayer. Our prayer was:

"Dear Lord, thank you for this day. Help me to listen and obey. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Our job is to listen and obey, not reject and rebel. Holy Spirit is only doing what he was sent to do and if he can’t do his job, how will we ever walk into the things God has for us?

While discussing this topic with our blog coordinator, Jessica, she presented a very valid point.

“I think one of the reasons we often don’t listen and obey is because of fear. Fear of what people think, fear of how far God will take us, or even fear of becoming a “radical” Christian.”

This is so true. We are afraid of being different and standing out but we are called to come out from among them. Are we not told to let our lights shine before men so that they can see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven?

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” - 2 Timothy 2:7

What our Father has given us through the Holy Spirit is powerful, intentional living that allows us to operate in love and a sound mind.

I believe that when Jesus was tempted by Satan that he was weak in his flesh, but the Holy Spirit stood up in him and reminded Satan that it is written that man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

He was reminding the enemy of the authority that He has in the earth over him. We must remember that the Holy Ghost is the power of God and when we allow him to do his job, everything that goes against God must bow down.

Nothing stands a chance against Him when he is operating according to what He was sent to do.

We must not allow the flesh to be in control any more. We must crucify the flesh. The flesh must die so the spirit can live and work.