186: Service From a Spirit-Filled Life

Biblical Counseling Podcast

In today’s world, there is a great need for spiritual discernment. It is difficult to recognize the true work of God in people’s lives. People can hide fleshly and carnal spirits behind Instagram posts, sleek websites, and attractive conferences. How can we be sure that our ministries and service for God are truly flowing from a Spirit-filled life?

In this week’s episode of the Biblical Counseling Podcast, pastor Jeff Christianson continues his study of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. This week, pastor Jeff helps readers think through discerning true service from a Spirit-filled life from the many imitations we see in the church today. To help us, pastor Jeff takes his listeners to John 6:63, where Jesus himself provides a test for discerning the true work of God within the world. In John 6:63, Jesus says to his disciples, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”

Jesus is clear in John 6:63, all spiritual life and all true spiritual service comes from the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit alone is the source of all true ministry and productivity in the Christian life, in the church, and in biblical counseling. Jesus clearly contrasts the Spirit with the flesh, that human nature that we have within us originating in Adam’s fall into sin. All of humanity is naturally fleshly, selfish, and focused upon the things of man. Too many Christians take the resources of the flesh and try to apply them to ministry and the spiritual life.

Want to hear more? Tune into this week’s episode of the Biblical Counseling Podcast. If you have enjoyed this podcast, please leave a comment in the student section on the podcast page.

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This podcast is for informational purposes only and has been inspired by the works of these individuals and sources: The NKJV Study Bible, Pastor Bob Hoekstra, Pastor Chuck Smith, Pastor Ray Steadman, Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones, and Dr. Wayne Grudem.

The views expressed in this episode are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of the sources.

“And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” 2 Timothy 2:2