The Truth About The Holy Spirit (Part Three)

In Part Two, we learned about understanding and embracing the relationship of being controlled by the Holy Spirit to spiritual maturity. Since being indwelt by, and guided by the Holy Spirit and spiritual maturity are interrelated, then there should be stages of development in our Christian lives! How do we know this is true? Again Paul teaches us, “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?” (1 Corinthians 3:1-3). In other words, Paul apparently expected these believers to have reached a level or stage of spiritual maturity whereby they could be called “spiritual men” in five to six years’ time. Instead Paul called them “infants in Christ.” As the maturing process moves forward, more areas needing to be brought under the control of the Holy Spirit are revealed! As we respond openly and willingly the Holy Spirit expands His control and we mature. Be encouraged!

Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Th.D., Bible teacher & expositor