On the Road to Pentecost: Reliance on the Holy Spirit

Be honest, sometimes you are tempted to rely on yourself instead of the indwelling Holy Spirit; we experience these lapses from time to time because we have grown accustomed to being independent rather than God-dependent. Please don’t beat yourself up over it and do not let anyone beat you up either, especially with their bible. Reliance on the Holy Spirit takes practice; it involves a conscious effort on our part to not slide back into self-reliance.

Beloved, even on this spiritual road, we believe that we don’t need help all the time, that there are times when we can walk this road independent of Spirit. But we must rely on the One who leads us into all Truth, all day, every day and for everything.

You see, sin has a way of crawling in undetected, in varying forms and fashions, but Spirit detects that creeper with mathematical precision. He never miscalculates and before we know what is happening, conviction occurs, and we are on our knees begging forgiveness.

“Who can discern his lapses and errors? Clear me from hidden [and unconscious] faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then shall I be blameless, and I shall be innocent and clear of great transgression.” – Psalm 19:12-13 (AMPC)

Yes, we need the indwelling Spirit to clear us from unconscious faults and keep us back from presumptuous sins. We need Him to break sin’s power over us and to stir up the winds of holiness in our souls. It is not an easy road to follow, so we must rely on Spirit’s supernatural guidance and empowerment every step of the way.

If you wander off the road to the right or the left, you will hear His voice behind you saying, “Here is the road. Follow it.” – Isaiah 30:21 (GNT)

The Holy Spirit within our reborn selves invites us to listen to His delicate whispers, feel His quiet impulses and rely on His guidance.

Know that Spirit is with us not to condemn us but to encourage us along our walk. When we rely on the Holy Spirit, He opens up a new reality where we come to the realization that only God can satisfy, that He is indeed sufficient, that our needs will be met, that we will lack nothing, and we will enjoy God’s providential care.

So, as you continue on the road to Pentecost, may you become keenly aware of the Holy Spirit of God “effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.” (Philippians 2:13 AMPC).

Amen †

 

 

 

Shelley Johnson “On the Road to Pentecost: Reliance on the Holy Spirit“ © 2025 May 1, 2025