The Holy Spirit Transforms Us

The Holy Spirit transforms us.  On the face of it we may not think of the Holy Spirit’s transforming work in us as relational and requiring communication. But if we reflect on what it is that Christ wants to change in us, we realize that the changes are predominantly character issues. God’s plan for us is to make us more like Christ in character. “Just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” (1 Peter 1:15-16)

The point is that these character issues (Christlikeness) have primarily to do with relationships—those with God and with others. Even a speedy review of key passages like Romans 12:3-15:7; Galatians 5:22-23 (the fruit of the Spirit); Ephesians 4:17-5:33; and Colossians 3:12-4:6 reveal that the nature of the transformation God wants to bring about in us is profoundly relational. As his children we are to imitate him (Ephesians 5:1).

Because these changes are relational, it stands to reason therefore that the means the Holy Spirit uses are relational as well. And Paul urges us to live or walk by the Spirit; to let him guide us; to be led by him and keep in step with him (Galatians 5:16, 18 & 25). These all describe relationship. The Holy Spirit is not some mysterious, impersonal force, but God who lives in us. Our dwelling, abiding, remaining with him (John 15) is relational and demands continual conversation and communication!

For example, holiness is a highly relational pursuit. By contrast, men who are caught in the clutches of pornography (which is unholy) may try to argue that viewing porn is a “private matter and doesn’t hurt anybody.” But viewing and being controlled by pornography has devastating and destructive affects on relationships. Just as smoking damages virtually every organ in the body, so pornography degrades and destroys all of one’s relationships.
 
Some years ago, I was in the habit of picking up our mail after my evening run. One day after a run, I found a copy of the Victoria’s Secret catalog in our mailbox. As soon as I saw it, I was tempted to flip through it. But the Holy Spirit asked me to immediately place it out of sight at the bottom of the pile of mail and then toss it in the garbage on my way into the house. Then he prompted me to tell Linda what I’d done and ask her to call Victoria’s Secret and have them stop sending us their catalogs. (Linda never ordered the catalog in the first place!)

Let me be clear on something here. Some may view my behavior above as rigid, prudish, or legalistic. I assure you it was none of those. Let me explain by analogy. I’m a woodworker. Am I legalistic because I use hearing and eye protection when using loud tools? Am I rigid or legalistic because I use a push-stick instead of my hand to push a piece of stock through the table saw? These measures are all basic shop survival. In the same way, the Bible tells us to “Flee from sexual immorality.” (1 Corinthians 6:18)
 
The result of fleeing from sin is not simply the avoidance of sin. We flee from sin and run to God. I want to please him! I want my relationship with him to mean infinitely more to me than the illusion of pleasure I might gain from sin. “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.” (Psalms 73:25) I desperately want God to continue to change me and make me like him!

Another way in which I see the Holy Spirit transforming me has to do with patterns of speech. More and more in recent years, I’ll be in conversation with a group of people and I’m considering saying something, but the Holy Spirit checks me. I hear him quietly say, “Rob, don’t say that, it would be hurtful” (or prideful, or indiscrete, or unwholesome, etc.). I must confess to my shame that I don’t always follow the Holy Spirit’s lead. But each time I do, I find it easier to obey the next time and soon I discover that he has changed my character.

In all these variety of ways and more the Holy Spirit communicates with us in deep, intimate relationship.

© Rob Fischer 2008