During her talks Corrie ten Boom used to employ a handful of simple object lessons. One of my favourites is when she illustrated our need to be filled with the Holy Spirit with a flashlight or torch which required two batteries. The torch didn't work because it only had one battery and the spot where the other battery should have been was filled with rags. On the rags were written particular sins which kept the second battery from being properly inserted. Remove the rags - confess sin and repent - and then the Holy Spirit would have the room to fill and shine through our lives.
Another example she used was an empty glove. On its own the glove had no power to do anything, but when a hand was placed within it became useful. We are like gloves which alone are useless, but when God fills us we can labour for the LORD. A glove can also be filled with objects or items which prevent a hand from putting on a glove. It is in putting on the LORD Jesus Christ through faith which enables us to walk uprightly as Romans 13:13-14: "Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfil its lusts." The reality is many Christians fail to walk in the victory provided through Christ because they have made provisions for the flesh rather than sowing to the Spirit. They beg in vain to be filled with the Holy Spirit when they refuse to relinquish their sin.
A.W. Tozer provided great insight concerning the souls of man which are created in the image of God. Like a glove is designed to fit human hands, the bodies of men are perfectly suited for Him to inhabit. The Holy Spirit who once dwelt in a tent and Temple behind the veil now dwells in the hearts of believers within a veil of flesh. Tozer wrote that human beings made in God's image are the natural habitat of God, yet the pollution and defilement of sin has driven him off - just like native birds are driven from their natural habitats due to deforesting or building. There are specific places breeds of birds are likely to nest and roost. If we will have the Holy Spirit dwell within us, our hearts and minds need to be an environment free from the noisy machinery and heavy industry of sin.
These examples all have their limitations, but they agree in this body of flesh the problem of sin remains. It has a way of worming its way into our minds, hearts, and words. The neglect of repentance is a primary hindrance to the Holy Spirit filling and empowering us. The Holy Spirit is the clean, pure Spirit who regenerates our souls when we are cleansed by the blood of Jesus. He is glad to fill us; that is where He desires to dwell. When we belong to God, He belongs in us. Let us see there are no hindrances of unbelief within us, no sins which have been permitted entry. Cultivate worship, prayer, repentance, and adoration like trees and running streams. Ephesians 5:15-18 shows our conduct matters: "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit..." It is God's will we would be filled with the Holy Spirit, so let us submit our will to His!
Another example she used was an empty glove. On its own the glove had no power to do anything, but when a hand was placed within it became useful. We are like gloves which alone are useless, but when God fills us we can labour for the LORD. A glove can also be filled with objects or items which prevent a hand from putting on a glove. It is in putting on the LORD Jesus Christ through faith which enables us to walk uprightly as Romans 13:13-14: "Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfil its lusts." The reality is many Christians fail to walk in the victory provided through Christ because they have made provisions for the flesh rather than sowing to the Spirit. They beg in vain to be filled with the Holy Spirit when they refuse to relinquish their sin.
A.W. Tozer provided great insight concerning the souls of man which are created in the image of God. Like a glove is designed to fit human hands, the bodies of men are perfectly suited for Him to inhabit. The Holy Spirit who once dwelt in a tent and Temple behind the veil now dwells in the hearts of believers within a veil of flesh. Tozer wrote that human beings made in God's image are the natural habitat of God, yet the pollution and defilement of sin has driven him off - just like native birds are driven from their natural habitats due to deforesting or building. There are specific places breeds of birds are likely to nest and roost. If we will have the Holy Spirit dwell within us, our hearts and minds need to be an environment free from the noisy machinery and heavy industry of sin.
These examples all have their limitations, but they agree in this body of flesh the problem of sin remains. It has a way of worming its way into our minds, hearts, and words. The neglect of repentance is a primary hindrance to the Holy Spirit filling and empowering us. The Holy Spirit is the clean, pure Spirit who regenerates our souls when we are cleansed by the blood of Jesus. He is glad to fill us; that is where He desires to dwell. When we belong to God, He belongs in us. Let us see there are no hindrances of unbelief within us, no sins which have been permitted entry. Cultivate worship, prayer, repentance, and adoration like trees and running streams. Ephesians 5:15-18 shows our conduct matters: "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit..." It is God's will we would be filled with the Holy Spirit, so let us submit our will to His!
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