Creating Room for the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is our Helper, Strengthener, Provider, and Saviour. His voice is still and gentle. Distractions make His voice difficult to hear. Believers must intentionally create room for His abiding presence through spiritual discipline and fellowship with God. Abraham became a friend of God because of his obedience and relationship with God according to James 2:23.

1. Living a Life of Gratitude (1 Thessalonians 5:18, Luke 17:11-19, Psalm 92:1-2)
Believers must practice thanksgiving continually instead of complaining. Complaining weakens sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and hinders His voice.
“1 Thessalonians 5:18” declares: “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Thanksgiving changes spiritual atmospheres and becomes a weapon during difficult seasons. In “Luke 17:11-19,” Jesus healed ten lepers, but only one returned to give thanks. The thankful Samaritan received complete wholeness.
“Psalm 92:1-2” says: “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night.”

2. Complete Surrender (Matthew 16:24, Genesis 12:1-4, Mark 14:35-36)

Believers must surrender their will, emotions, desires, and plans completely to God.
“Matthew 16:24” says: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”
Surrender requires leaving personal agendas behind. Abraham demonstrated this in “Genesis 12:1-4” when he left his country and family in obedience to God. Jesus modeled perfect surrender in “Mark 14:35-36” when He prayed: “Not what I will, but what thou wilt.”

3. Humility and Thirst for God (James 4:6-7, Isaiah 44:3)

The Holy Spirit does not dwell with pride. God gives grace to the humble and resists the proud.
“James 4:6-7” says: “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Believers must hunger and thirst for God above material things.
“Isaiah 44:3” declares: “For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring.”

4. Brokenness and Obedience (Psalm 34:18, Job 36:11, Isaiah 1:19, Genesis 22:1-18)

God draws near to those who are broken and contrite in heart.
“Psalm 34:18” says: “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”
Obedience positions believers for God’s pleasure and blessing.
“Job 36:11” declares: “If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.”
“Isaiah 1:19” says: “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.”
Abraham demonstrated complete obedience in “Genesis 22:1-18” when he offered Isaac unto God. God responded with a covenant of multiplication and blessing.

5. Repentance and Purity of Heart (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:7-9, Psalm 139:23-24, Psalm 51:10-11, Matthew 5:8, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 5:22)

Daily repentance keeps the heart pure before God and maintains fellowship with the Holy Spirit.
“Acts 3:19” says: “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.” “1 John 1:7-9” assures believers that the blood of Jesus cleanses from all unrighteousness when sins are confessed.
Believers must continually pray the words of “Psalm 139:23-24”:
“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
“Psalm 51:10-11” says: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.”
“Matthew 5:8” declares: “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”
“2 Corinthians 5:17” says: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
The Holy Spirit produces His fruit within believers according to “Galatians 5:22.”

6. Walking in Love (Matthew 22:34-40, John 13:34-35, Galatians 5:6)

Love is the greatest key to hosting the Holy Spirit. Jesus taught in “Matthew 22:34-40” that the greatest commandments are to love God completely and to love one’s neighbor as oneself.
In “John 13:34-35,” Jesus said: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
“Galatians 5:6” declares that faith works by love. A heart filled with love becomes a resting place for the Holy Spirit.