Living a life led by the Holy Spirit is vital to living an abundant and successful Christian life. Why is the Holy Spirit so important? In Ephesians 1:13-19 we are told the Holy Spirit “seals us with the promise of salvation,” and God the Father gives his children the “Spirit of wisdom and of revelation.” What does this mean in a practical sense? Today we are going to explore these verses and discover more of what a life led by the Holy Spirit entails. 

The Holy Spirit Seals Us

Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV, emphasis added) tells us, “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, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” 

When we are saved, it is the Holy Spirit who seals us with our promised inheritance of salvation. The Holy Spirit is like our insurance policy. He ensures we, as children of God the Father, receive our inheritance when it is time for us to take possession of it. Why? So the Trinity will be glorified. It is for the glory of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit that we are given our inheritance as adopted sons and daughters. Others see the power of the one, true God when we are sealed with the Holy Spirit. It is through the power within us (Eph. 3:20) that we are given our inheritance of the abundant life, both in this lifetime and the one to come. Salvation starts the moment you are sealed. We don’t have to wait until we die to receive our inheritance. It’s ours right now. We just have to accept it and live in the promises of God here and now. Go find out what those promises are and claim them for your life now. You will be amazed at what happens! 

We Are Given The Spirit Of Wisdom And Revelation

Ephesians‬ ‭1:17-19‬ (‭ESV, emphasis added)‬‬ says, “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might” ‭‭

The Holy Spirit will lead us in wisdom and revelation. Why is gaining wisdom and revelation so important? According to the Blue Letter Bible, wisdom in the Greek is the word ‘sophia.’ Sophia is used in the Bible to describe, “wisdom, broad and full of intelligence; used of the knowledge of very diverse matters.” (BLB Outline of Biblical Usage)

I don’t know about you, but I would really love to have a broad and full knowledge and an intelligence of diverse matters. I want to be able to hear a message, a newscast, or any other sort of information and know what is true and what is a lie. We need wisdom now more than we have ever needed it in our lifetime. The Holy Spirit gives us supernatural wisdom to discern truth from lies. Have you asked the Holy Spirit what the truth is about things going on in your life, or our world? I have, and the results are a life filled with peace no matter what is going on in my life or the world around me. I know the truth because the Holy Spirit has given me wisdom – divine intelligence – as to how to deal with these situations. 

Spirit of Revelation

In Ephesians 1:17 we are told we are given the Spirit of revelation.  What does the word revelation mean in the Greek? I’m glad you asked! According to the BLB the Greek word for revelation is ‘apokalypsis.’ This word as defined in the Outline of Biblical Usage in the BLB means, “laying bare, making naked, a disclosure of truth, instruction concerning things before unknown.” When we are led by the Holy Spirit, he will reveal, or lay bare, the truth of things previously unknown.

Revelation Given

Have you ever known someone who seems to be the kindest, most giving person you have ever met? They may even appear to have a super close relationship with God. They constantly tell stories of how God works on their behalf. You may even find yourself feeling like you need to spend more time with God. You want to have similar encounters with God too.

As time passes you may start to feel that your talents and your walk with God is lacking. You start to feel like you need to prove you have a good relationship with God and try to tell stories of how God is working in your life. However, the minute you start telling a story, this person will take over the conversation and tell you their God stories. You start to feel like a wallflower, even though you know God does not see you as such. 

On the flip side this person may come to you with an issue they have with one of their kids or their spouse. When you tell them the solution is prayer or you give them a verse from the Bible, they reply, “That will never work in this situation.” 

This person sees God as both strong and weak. He is strong when it suits them and allows them to look good in front of others. However, when it comes to allowing God to work in their life to change them and mold them into who God created them to be, God is weak and not needed or not enough. 

The Revelation

One day, things come to a head. It’s like you suddenly realize this person needs some serious help in their personal life. You’ve maybe seen glimpses of the major conflicts in their marriage or with their kids. Now it’s like a veil has been lifted, and you see how much need they really have. As a good friend you decide to broach this subject with them. You, of course, pray a ton before having this conversation. You ask the Holy Spirit to lead the conversation, asking him to give you the right words to say at the right time. 

Time To Speak Up

The day comes when it is time to have this conversation. By the end of the conversation you feel it went well. They seemed receptive to what you had to say. Maybe they even agreed to pray about what you told them. However, what actually happens is this person rips you apart in a text message, email, or an in-person conversation later. They start to accuse you of things you have never done, or even thought to do. It is apparent they are not being led by the Holy Spirit at this moment, even if they say the Holy Spirit told them to say these things. How do you know the Holy Spirit never told them to tell you these things? The Holy Spirit is never an accuser. There is only one spirit who accuses – Satan and his demons. 

As you sit there stumped by these crazy accusations your friend just blasted you with, you pray and ask for wisdom as to how to respond. Then, another friend, who knows nothing of what has transpired, sends you an article or a video that explains exactly what is going on. This friend you have been blasted by is a narcissist. As you read through the article or watch the video, you can see the attributes of narcissism in this friend. It’s clear as day now. It explains everything about your relationship. (This by the way is a spirit and can be dealt with.) Everything is “laying bare, making naked, a disclosure of truth, instruction concerning things before unknown.” This is what is meant by the Holy Spirit giving us revelation. 

Our Superpower

Just think, those are just three of the benefits of living a life led by the Holy Spirit! The more I learn about the role the Holy Spirit is supposed to fill in my life, the more I want to be filled to overflowing with His Spirit. It’s like a believer’s superpower.

 When guided by the Holy Spirit, we can be as strong as Thor, as smart as Iron Man, as accurate in battle as Black Widow, and as powerful as Captain Marvel. We are like all the superheroes rolled up into one. However, it’s not through our abilities or strength. We can only be that powerful when we allow the Holy Spirit to be in charge as we obey his voice. We will be able to predict what the enemy will do next, and fight back. Furthermore, we will be able to see the enemy through the eyes of the Holy Spirit. We will then realize the enemy isn’t really all that powerful to begin with. 

Have you noticed a change in your life since you started asking the Holy Spirit to guide you and be in charge of your life? Perhaps you have never asked the Holy Spirit to guide you and be in charge. Why not start asking for those things right now? Let’s pray for the Holy Spirit to fill us to overflowing with his power right now. 

Prayer

Father God, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Thank you that when I ask for more of the Holy Spirit, you will not give me a snake or scorpion. Every good and perfect gift comes from you, and this includes your Holy Spirit. Jesus, I ask you to baptize me, to immerse me into, the Holy Spirit and fire, just as you promised in your word.

Transform me by the renewing of my mind. Help me to step out in faith for the things you are calling me into. I admit, Lord, that the unknown makes me afraid, but I trust in your unfailing promises. I trust you at your word. And I place my trust in you, Lord God. I trust you, King Jesus; I trust you, Holy Spirit. Come and fill me up to the fullness of your presence. Pour your drink into my cup so that it overflows. Thank you for the peace that you give to me, a peace that I can actually feel in my body. I love you, O Lord, my strength! In Jesus’ name, amen!