Bread of Life Voice

The event of Pentecost celebrated every year reminds Christians of the first outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles, and of their reception into the family of God when they were baptised.  Holy Spirit has been working in the Church and in the lives of her members through His power and His presence.

He kindles faith in the heart of believers and anoints them for their different vocations. Jesus, attesting to the presence of the Holy Spirit in His life said,

‘The Spirit of God is upon Me because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are downtrodden, and to proclaim the favourable year of the Lord’ (Luke 4:18-19).

What Does Holy Spirit Want From You?

To relate well with a friend, you must know what He or she wants and what the person dislikes. So it is with the Holy Spirit. He is a person and has come to be with and live in us. Some of the things the Holy Spirit cherishes are as follows:

Life of Righteousness:

He is holy and takes pleasure in a life that strives for perfection. He wants you to develop a thirst for God and a deep desire to live uprightly (Romans 14:17).

Carryout Spiritual Exercises:

A personal devotion to prayer and reading of the word of God can boost one’s  spiritual life. Fasting, fellowshipping with other Christians and almsgiving are all spiritual exercises that add value to one’s life. (1 Tim. 4:8).

Be Obedient:

Show loving respect for God and His constituted authorities. Irrespective of your position and learning, always give God due reverence and be guided by His principles (Galatians 5:16).

Spread the Gospel of Christ:

Holy Spirit wants you to win souls for God through the propagation of message of salvation to other people. He gives various spiritual gifts to make this exercise easy and fruitful. (1 Cor. 12: 7-11).

Cleanse Your Heart:

The Spirit of God needs you to decongest your heart of all ‘loads and heavy burden.’ These include worry, unforgiveness, negative emotion, past hurts and fear of unknown. He wants you to live humbly and freely in life (Micah 6:8).

Live in love and bear His fruit:

1 John 4:7 says, ‘Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God, and everyone that loves is born of God, and knows God.’ Saint Paul, in Galatians 5:22, disclosed the fruit of the Holy Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Endure to the End:

Christ is coming again. He has sent the Holy Spirit to be with us, to comfort and strengthen us, that we may uphold the faith amidst the challenges and difficulties of life (Hebrew 12:1-2).

What Does Holy Spirit Dislike?

The scripture said we should not grieve the Holy Spirit. There are certain things that can negate the work of the Spirit of God in our lives. We must be very careful in everything we do.

Do Not Continue in Sin and in ‘Worldly’ Living:

He who sins belongs to the Devil. And by ‘worldly’ we mean carnal, without any thirst for God. Holy Spirit comes to illuminate God’s people and to draw them to Christ. He detests sin and does not cooperate with anyone that keeps sinning (1 John 3:8).

Do not quench Him:

Resisting the move of the Holy Spirit may limit his work in you. He teaches and guides believers in God’s ways. Your spiritual directors are available to assist you discern any of such promptings and revelations, and to advise you wisely (1 Thess 5:19).

Do Not Doubt Or Trivialise Things About God:

Keep faith in God. Do not belittle God or make jest of Him or other spiritual matters. Seek more clarification on any issue of faith which you do understand.

Do not be divisive, Boastful and Full of Self:

Be meek and gentle. Ask Him to fill you always because Jesus said that if we separate from Him we cannot do anything. As much as possible remain united with your brothers and sisters in your Christian community.

Let us Pray:

Holy Spirit, strengthen us and teach us the way of truth. Amen.