We can treat the Holy Spirit like a guest in our house.
As though our bodies had a number of rooms
and the Holy Spirit was only allowed in one room.
We might think of that room as being called the room “saved.”
He is only allowed to “save” us and that’s all.
But, God wants the Holy Spirit to  be the Master of the whole house.
He wants us to have a happy life, and one that is pleasing to the Lord God.

A man called Dwight Moody was a wonderful preacher
who lived a long time ago.
He once showed his church people
an exciting illustration of the Holy Spirit filling us.
Moody held up an empty drinking glass.
He asked the people,
“Can any of you tell me how I can get all the air out of this glass?”
Could you answer that?
Think a bit before you read on.

Well, some people said “suck it out with a pump!”
But Moody said,
“If you did that you would make a vacuum, and the glass would break!”
Lots of ideas were suggested, but no one really knew how to be sure
to get all the air out of that glass.
Moody picked up a jug of water,
and poured the glass full to the top, and it had no air in it at all.
Did you think of that solution to the puzzle?

What was Moody getting at?
He was trying to show people that their lives
have lots of bad things in them that God doesn’t like.
We can never be sure what is still left that should be gone.
If we ask the Holy Spirit to fill us,
He will get rid of everything that is sinful
and make us beautiful and holy for the Lord.
He can fill us with His “fruits” of righteousness.

Well, we all know what “love, “ “goodness,” “faith,” and “gentleness” are.

But what does “long-suffering” mean?
Have you ever heard of a “short-tempered” person!
They lose their cool over any little thing that upsets them.
“Long-suffering” is being “long-tempered.”
To be able to keep calm and kind when things don’t go so well,
or people upset us.

What does “meekness” mean?
It is the ability to be able to control yourself,
and to be able to overcome silly pride.
It is being strong and gentle at the same time.

“Temperance” means not over-doing things!
For instance, being able to stop yourself being greedy for things
and a glutton over food.

The Holy Spirit can fill us with the goodness that God wants us to have.

Even children and teenagers
can be filled with the Holy Spirit, if they want Him.
The Holy Spirit lives in you already,
if you have received Jesus Christ as your own Saviour.
Ask Him to fill you with Himself, for He is God.
He shows us what sin is in our lives.
He will “guide us into all truth.”
And, He “will teach us all things” through God’s Holy Word.
 

“Howbeit when he,
the Spirit of truth, is come,
he will guide you into all truth
for he shall not speak of himself;
but whatsoever he shall hear,
[that] shall he speak and he will show you things to come. “
(John 16:13).

---

Return to Devotion for Lambs page