At the close of an important speech to Congress on January 6, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt shared his vision of the kind of world he wanted to see after the war was over. He envisioned four basic freedoms enjoyed by all people: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. To some degree, these freedoms have been achieved on a wider scale than in 1941, but our world still needs a fifth freedom: People need to be free from themselves and the tyranny of a sinful nature.

The legalists thought they had the answer to the problem in laws and threats, but Paul explained that no amount of legislation can change man’s basic sinful nature. It is not law on the outside, but love on the inside that makes the difference. We need another power within, and that power comes from the Holy Spirit of God.

It is the Holy Spirit in the heart who gives assurance of salvation, and it is the Holy Spirit who enables us to live for Christ and glorify Him. The Holy Spirit is not simply a “divine influence”; He is a divine Person, just as are the Father and the Son. What God the Father planned for you, and God the Son purchased for you on the cross, God the Spirit personalizes for you and applies to your life as you yield to Him.

Verse to remember: “We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us” (1 Corinthians 2:12, NIV).

Also read: John 14:16-17, 26; 16:7-14; Galatians 5:5, 16-18, 22-25.

Action assignment: Stop to consider how wonderful it is to be a Christian and have the Holy Spirit as your guide. Thank God for the ministry of the Holy Spirit and tell Him of your desire to let Him control you.

Warren W. Wiersbe
www.backtothebible.in