Have you considered the role the Holy Spirit plays in your life and marriage?
Scripture teaches us that the Spirit indwells the life of those who have professed their faith in Jesus Christ. (I Cor 6:19-20) This is a great reminder that we must rely on the Holy Spirit to control every aspect of our emotions, actions, and reactions. When we consider the many elements necessary for marriage to thrive, there is no way we even come close to the oneness God desires without complete dependence on the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit’s Arrival
The disciples were troubled when Jesus told them that He was leaving them. (John 16) They had experienced so much together. Jesus rebukes them and goes on to tell them that it is for their benefit that he was leaving. Jesus knew that His leaving would then welcome the Holy Spirit to come in power. Following his death, burial, resurrection, and ascension the disciples waited anxiously for the fulfillment of what Jesus had told them. It was 50 days after His resurrection that the Holy Spirit showed up. What a scene that must have been at Pentecost! (Acts 1) This same Holy Spirit dwells in us.
The Holy Spirit’s Attributes
While the Scriptures speak to the life of Christ and the role of God the Father over 2,000 times, less than 300 verses reference the Holy Spirit. With that being said, let’s take time to study the attributes of the Spirit:
- The Holy Spirit is omniscient (I Cor 2:10-11) - The Spirit knows all things and understands all things. He knows even the depths of God as well as the thoughts of God. The Spirit dwells in us to reveal and help us understand all that is given to us by God. Consider our need for forgiveness, acceptance, to be pursued, to be loved unconditionally. The Spirit provides all that and more. He knows what’s lacking in your marriage.
- The Holy Spirit is omnipotent (Gen 1:2) - He was present in creation and as God participated in the process of creating the universe. The all powerful Holy Spirit is who is at work in our lives, and gives us everything we need for life, godliness, and the oneness we so desperately need in our marriage.
- The Holy Spirit is omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-8) - Wherever we go the Holy Spirit is there. He is everywhere, all the time, at the same time. When we read that the Lord never leaves or forsakes us, it is the Holy Spirit that is with us continually.
In the midst of life - in the highs and the lows - look to the Holy Spirit who already knows the condition of your marriage. He can empower you in your marriage to experience deep intimacy, as well as restore oneness when you thought things were hopeless. He is able to do this because He is all-knowing and is with you no matter how far you think you’ve strayed.
The Holy Spirit’s Work
It is the work of the Spirit that helps couples move from performance to faith.
What exactly does it look like to experience the power of the Spirit at work in your marriage?
Consider that the singular fruit of the spirit is expressed in nine ways. (Gal 5:22-23) These nine expressions are love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control. Think about that. Does that describe the atmosphere in your home?
I’m sure we can all think of times when our homes were not loving, joyful, peaceful, etc. It’s in these moments we should be reminded that the all-knowing, all-powerful, ever-present Holy Spirit desires to turn things around. He can show up in power if you invite and allow Him to work in your marriage.
Remember that you possess the fruit of the Spirit from the point of Salvation on. Don’t quench the Holy Spirit, claim the power that lives in you. When you want to say, “I’m not feeling loving, or patient, or in control” it is the flesh that’s winning the battle in that moment. Just because you don’t feel those things doesn’t mean you don’t possess them. Because of the Holy Spirit, they are in you! (Galatians 5:25)
Release the Spirit’s power in your life and marriage today!
