But the fruit of the Spirit (the result of His presence within us) is love (unselfish concern for others), joy, (inner) peace, patience (not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.
~Galatians 5:22-23 AMP
Being spiritually healthy and mature means you’re living in alignment with God’s plan for your life. You’re no longer letting your flesh control you because you’re sold out to a lifestyle consumed with and reflective of God’s word, ways, and will. And as believers, the Spirit of the Lord is within us, and it’s our responsibility to show the fruit of it by letting it lead and guide our way of living. A Spirit-led life is the balance beam for your physical, mental, and emotional well-being, and it’s a continuous journey of healing as you evolve, which will require you to visit the Throne of God over and over again. It takes time and dedication, but don’t rush the process. Just breathe. Take a deep breath in and a deep breath out. Ready? Let’s begin.
What is the Spirit?
John 4:24 ESV: God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.
John 6:63 CSB: The Spirit is the one who gives life. The flesh doesn’t help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.
John 16:13 EASY: But the Spirit will come. He is the One who shows people true things about God. When He comes, He will be a guide to you. He will help you to understand everything that is true. He will not speak on His own authority. He will tell you only what He hears from the Father. He will tell you about things that will happen after this time.
2 Corinthians 3:17 ERV: The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Spirit Responsibilities
Acts 1:8 AMPC: But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.
Romans 8:24-26 NLV: We were saved with this hope ahead of us. Now hope means we are waiting for something we do not have. How can a man hope for something he already has? But if we hope for something we do not yet see, we must learn how to wait for it. In the same way, the Holy Spirit helps us where we are weak. We do not know how to pray or what we should pray for, but the Holy Spirit prays to God for us with sounds that cannot be put into words.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 NIV: May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:16-17 CSB: The Spirit, Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
Spirit-Led Living
Romans 8:6-8 MEV: To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace, for the carnal mind is hostile toward God, for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can it be, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Galatians 5:16 AMPC: But I say, walk and live (habitually) in the (Holy) Spirit (responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit); then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).
1 John 4:1-3 ERV: My dear friends, many false prophets are in the world now. So don’t believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God. This is how you can recognize God’s Spirit. One spirit says, “I believe that Jesus is the Messiah who came to earth and became a man.” That Spirit is from God. Another spirit refuses to say this about Jesus. That spirit is not from God. This is the spirit of the enemy of Christ. You have heard that the enemy of Christ is coming, and now he is already in the world.
Ephesians 3:16 AMP: May He grant you out of the riches of His glory, to be strengthened and spiritually energized with power through His Spirit in your inner self, (indwelling your innermost being and personality).
Ephesians 1:17 EASY: God is very great! He is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that His Holy Spirit will make you wise. I pray that his Holy Spirit will help you to understand what God is like. Then you will know God better and better.
1 Peter 4:14 CEB: If you are mocked because of Christ’s name, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory—indeed, the Spirit of God—rests on you.
Matthew 5:3 ERV & MSG: Great blessings belong to those who know they are spiritually in need. God’s kingdom belongs to them. You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you, there is more of God and His rule.
Matthew 6:33 NCV: Seek first God’s kingdom and what God wants. Then all your other needs will be met as well.
Psalm 23:3 AMP: He refreshes and restores my soul (life); He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.
Colossians 3:16 ERV: Let the teaching of Christ live inside you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 MSG: Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.