Do I Have the Holy Spirit? – Michael Edwards
As a believer in Jesus and the gospel, have you ever questioned if the Holy Spirit really dwells in you? Perhaps, because of your struggles or lack of peace and power, you have wondered if you missed out somehow. Maybe, what you see in yourself often appears immature and fleshy, just like the strife filled believer's Paul addresses in these verses.
But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? In 1 Cor 3:1-3 ESV
How could any believer who is walking in the flesh expect the Holy Spirit to dwell in them? Yet, in context, that is what Paul goes on to say to these carnal Christians.
Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? 1 Cor 3:16 ESV
If you believe it or not, realize it or not, apprehend it or not, no matter how rough your Christian walk appears, the Holy Spirit lives in all who trust Jesus as their Savior. The Spirit of Christ, your helper, and advocate is ready today to take over with all of His power and peace.
So, who will you trust more with your life going forward, yourself or His Spirit? Will you believe God's word and walk by faith, letting Him have total control? Or, will your flesh and the things of this world remain the driving force in your life? The choice is yours. The Holy Spirit has always been ready to take control as soon as you give it up.
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. Eph 1:13 ESV