A Personal Revelation

And I will put My Spirit in you and move you to follow My decrees and be careful to keep My laws.

Ezekiel 36:27 (NIV)

During a couple's therapy session, a young man confided in me that his marriage was going well despite the difficulties, but his only problem was that he had done everything he could to grow in his faith and be the spiritual leader of his family. Unfortunately, this was the one area where he couldn't seem to make progress. When I asked him what he had done, he replied that he had studied the Bible in depth, prayed regularly, and read numerous books on Christian leadership and the role of the husband in the home. "That's wonderful!" I said. And I added, "What place have you given to the Holy Spirit in all of this?"

He wasn't expecting that question. Like this young man, most believers think they can, through their own efforts, grow in faith and develop a personal relationship with God. Certainly, we must make an effort, but it is the Spirit of God who guides us in this process. None of us, regardless of our desire or determination, can achieve this alone. God is holy, and no one can please Him without His intervention. He demonstrated this repeatedly with the people of Israel, who failed every time.

It is good to want to grow in faith and aspire to harmony with God, but we must ask Him for His help. For, since the time of the prophets, He has promised to give us the Holy Spirit to enable us to understand His word and put it into practice. A simple Bible verse can sometimes seem obscure to us. But when the Holy Spirit guides us, even the most difficult passage becomes clear. The most important aspect of His guidance is that He reveals to us what we need to understand for our spiritual growth. You will never have the same revelation as another believer, be assured of that.

May the grace and peace of God be with you all.