Interesting question, even from a Christian standpoint.

You would like to challenge us about our professed indwelling of God's Spirit.

Even many Christians tend to challenge each other in this regard as well. Maybe not the indwelling so much as the actual listening/leading to the indwelling. Anytime you run into substantial differences in theology with someone there is a tendency to turn the conversation to a debate as to which one is really hearing or operating by the leading of God's Spirit or the Holy Spirit.

I don't think you need to look anywhere else except the writings of David and Isaiah and see where they mention the Holy Spirit is/was operating in the midst of God's people all along. So God's Spirit is not exclusive to us. I don't know if God's Spirit indwelt within people then, but writings in Isaiah and the Pslams indicate God placed His Spirit on or in their midst.

You have two issues to contend with, the way I see it.

I think it would be hard to challenge us about God's Spirit dwelling within us. We believe God's Spirit is placed within us when we accept Jesus as God's Son and accept His work to bring us into the right relationship with God. That's going to come down to I believe or I don't believe that.

But you can certainly challenge us as to whether or not we are 'walking' with the leading of God's Spirit. I think you can have God's Holy Spirit indwell within and still have issues with actually listening to and obeying. We speak of it in terms of picking up our own cross, dying to 'self', growing in Christ, walking closer to God way, etc. The essence of this walk is not one that puffs us up with pride but is suppose to make us more humble. So, if someone is trying to puff themself up and make you look small, I'd remind them of this.

tyolilums: I had to color your message because it didn't show up on the forum - you had it in black, and the background is black. (UY)


Last Edited By: tyolilums Mon, 17-Mar-08 09:17:33. Edited 2 times.