Sanctification is spiritually defined as a transformational process of being freed from sin, made holy, and being set apart (from the world) for God’s special use and purpose. However, it is impossible for us to do this on our own, and requires spiritual intervention by the Holy Spirit to transform a willing heart. As such, this lesson is about signs we can look for that reveal the workings of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:16-17 Jesus said “When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.” John 16:13-15 God provides a helper for each of us who are called out of darkness and into His light: the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. If you are reading this text, your life has been (or is being) touched by the Holy Spirit. Those who are in absolute darkness repel against anything associated with God, and will seek to avoid Him at any cost—including reading content such as this. The reason…Satan does not want to relinquish his property. However, because you continue to read means the Holy Spirit is working in your life. The Holy Spirit: Is our helper. Abides with us. Is the Spirit of truth. Dwells in us. Guides us into all truth. Speaks what He hears. Tells us of things to come. Glorifies Jesus through us. Helps us in our weaknesses. Prays for us. Gives us spiritual gifts. Is a guarantee of salvation. Because we lack spiritual awareness and because of our shortcomings, the Holy Spirit intercedes (prays, petitions) for us—with groanings (moans indicative of grief, suffering)—according to God’s will. “The Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27 When we fully evaluate where we are in Christ and where we should be…it becomes more evident why the Holy Spirit prays for us with unutterable (indescribable, inexpressible) groanings. As such, it is important to turn away from sin, and obey His guidance in all areas of your life. “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30 “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” 1 Corinthians 2:12-13 We were once influenced by the spirit of the world (Satan), but we have received God’s Holy Spirit—that we may know what God has given us. But what’s more, the Holy Spirit teaches us God’s wisdom—which contrasts with the delusional darkness of man’s earthly wisdom. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14 The Holy Spirit continually works to cleanse us from within—so that we reflect Jesus. “For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:3-7 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-25 The Holy Spirit also gives each one gifts—which are intended to provide benefit to others. “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 Signs the Holy Spirit is Guiding Us into Truth and Changing Us on the Inside Listed below are various influencers the Holy Spirit will use to illuminate what’s going on inside us and what’s going on around us—all with the intent of: Changing the deepest desires of our heart and soul. Making us less like ourselves and more like JesusSanctification: setting us apart from the world, and making us holy for God’s purpose and use. Placing His laws upon our minds and writing them upon our hearts. Personally reflect upon the influencers below and identify each that is applicable to you. You have a spiritual “internal” perspective of what’s on the “inside” as you discover: Peace, joy and love. The emptiness and vanity of your past life. Things that you once thought were important changes. When you sin you feel bad on the inside. The devastating consequences of sin. Sin is a lie. God’s desire for you to completely trust in Him and turn towards Him. You have a different “external” perspective. As the light of Jesus dissipates darkness, you are able to increasingly see: Empty souls who are confused, lost, unaware of their condition, and are vainly seeking fulfillment in their life. The influence of Satan’s deceptional lies. An increasing desire and willingness to: o Forgive others. o Share God’s truths. o Be with like-minded Christians. You have a different perspective of eternity, God and the Bible. You have a growing assurance that you are a child of God and His possession. You have an increasing urge to know more about God. When you read or hear scripture from the Bible: o It speaks to your heart. o You experience a new and different perspective of God’s word. o You increasingly realize the Bible is filled with absolute truths. You are able to identify changes in the words you speak; your behavior; and your prayer life: what you pray for and how often you pray. Plus you recognize these changes are not because of your own efforts. You are able to hear / recognize the Holy Spirit’s guidance. You experience trials and tribulations with a different perception that is founded upon hope, belief, faith and trust.  Trials and Tribulations Every Christian will experience trials; some in various parts of the world also experience tribulations. A trial is comprised of a test of our faith, patience and stamina as we experience negative situations in life. Trials may involve struggles with family and business relationships, a temporary sickness, constraining circumstances or “walls” that hinders our progress, financial hardship, a job loss, an accident, and so forth. In addition, the length of trials can vary from short to long, have a beginning and an end, may have an effect upon our emotions, may cause undesired physical responses such as stress, and may have varying degrees of difficulty to persevere. “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2-4 “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:6-9 However, a tribulation is much worse than a trial because it comprises severe hardship, adversity, distress, and even death—due to oppression and persecution—because of a faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 Jesus said, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.” John 15:18-20 The Holy Spirit “But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.” 1 John 2:27 “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14 “Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:12-14 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. “These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For ‘who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?’ But we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:10-16 Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Holy Spirit, thank you for Your truth, patience and perseverance. Continue to change me from within so that I increasingly reflect Jesus and His righteousness. Jesus…my Savior and Lord…I give you my heart, my life and all that I am…for You alone are worthy. Jesus said, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20 God Bless You! Harold D. Thomas Can you think of someone who could benefit from reading this lesson? If yes, PASS IT ON! Bible Study Thought-Provoking Questions The purpose of the questions is to facilitate a deeper understanding of the Bible, this Bible study topic and ourselves. The questions may be answered by each reader, or used by a Bible study group leader or church pastor. The following questions should be answered or discussed after reading “Signs God is Calling You Out of Darkness and Into His Light.” All questions are designed to enhance learning via the determination of opinions and/or discovering how the lesson content illuminates our personal lives. As such, no answers are provided. Questions Identify at least 3 reasons why we need the Holy Spirit. Which of the 3 reasons you identified above is the most important to you and why? Identify at least 3 outcomes one may experience as a result of a trial or tribulation. Identify at least 3 spiritual changes you have experienced since accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. Has your perception of yourself changed? If yes, explain. Has your perception of the world changed? If yes, explain. How does a Christian perceive trials and tribulations? Review each of the various internal and external influencers (below) that are used by the Holy Spirit to guide us into truth and change us from within. Identify each one that is relevant to you. Explain and/or discuss if you are in a Christian group setting You have a different “internal” spiritual perspective as you discover: An increase of peace, joy and love. The emptiness and vanity of your past life. Things you once thought were important changes. When you sin you feel bad on the inside. The devastating consequences of sin. Sin is a lie. God’s desire for you to completely trust in Him and turn towards Him. You have a different “external” perspective. As the light of Jesus dissipates darkness, you are able to increasingly see: Empty souls who are confused, lost, unaware of their condition, and are vainly seeking fulfillment in their life. The influence of Satan’s deceptional lies. An increasing desire and willingness to forgive others, share God’s truths, and be with Christians. You have a different perspective of eternity, God and the Bible. You have a growing assurance that you are a child of God and His possession. You have an increasing urge to know more about God. When you read or hear scripture from the Bible: o It speaks to your heart. o You experience a new and different perspective of God’s word. o You increasingly realize the Bible is filled with absolute truths. You are able to identify changes in the words you speak; your behavior; and your prayer life: what you pray for and how often you pray. Plus you recognize these changes are not because of your own efforts. You are able to hear / recognize the Holy Spirit’s guidance. You experience trials and tribulations with a different perception and understandin g. You may download a PDF version of the questions by clicking on this button. Please share this lesson with those who need to know more about the Holy Spirit.
The words of Jesus Christ are in red text.
Sanctification is spiritually defined as a transformational process of being freed from sin, made holy, and being set apart (from the world) for God’s special use and purpose. However, it is impossible for us to do this on our own, and requires spiritual intervention by the Holy Spirit to transform a willing heart. As such, this lesson is about signs we can look for that reveal the workings of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:16-17 Jesus said “When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.” John 16:13-15 God provides a helper for each of us who are called out of darkness and into His light: the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. If you are reading this text, your life has been (or is being) touched by the Holy Spirit. Those who are in absolute darkness repel against anything associated with God, and will seek to avoid Him at any cost—including reading content such as this. The reason…Satan does not want to relinquish his property. However, because you continue to read means the Holy Spirit is working in your life. The Holy Spirit: Is our helper. Abides with us. Is the Spirit of truth. Dwells in us. Guides us into all truth. Speaks what He hears. Tells us of things to come. Glorifies Jesus through us. Prays for us. Gives us spiritual gifts. Is a guarantee of salvation. Helps us in our weaknesses. Because we lack spiritual awareness and because of our shortcomings, the Holy Spirit intercedes (prays, petitions) for us—with groanings (moans indicative of grief, suffering)—according to God’s will. “The Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27 When we fully evaluate where we are in Christ and where we should be…it becomes more evident why the Holy Spirit prays for us with unutterable (indescribable, inexpressible) groanings. As such, it is important to turn away from sin, and obey His guidance in all areas of your life. “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30 “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” 1 Corinthians 2:12-13 We were once influenced by the spirit of the world (Satan), but we have received God’s Holy Spirit—that we may know what God has given us. But what’s more, the Holy Spirit teaches us God’s wisdom—which contrasts with the delusional darkness of man’s earthly wisdom. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14 The Holy Spirit continually works to cleanse us from within—so that we reflect Jesus. “For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:3-7 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-25 The Holy Spirit also gives each one gifts—which are intended to provide benefit to others. “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 Signs the Holy Spirit is Guiding Us into Truth and Changing Us on the Inside Listed below are various influencers the Holy Spirit will use to illuminate what’s going on inside us and what’s going on around us—all with the intent of: Changing the deepest desires of our heart and soul. Making us less like ourselves and more like JesusSanctification: setting us apart from the world, and making us holy for God’s purpose and use. Placing His laws upon our minds and writing them upon our hearts. Personally reflect upon the influencers below and identify each that is applicable to you. You have a spiritual “internal” perspective of what’s on the “inside” as you discover: Peace, joy and love. The emptiness and vanity of your past life. Things that you once thought were important changes. When you sin you feel bad on the inside. The devastating consequences of sin. Sin is a lie. God’s desire for you to completely trust in Him and turn towards Him. You have a different “external” perspective. As the light of Jesus dissipates darkness, you are able to increasingly see: Empty souls who are confused, lost, unaware of their condition, and are vainly seeking fulfillment in their life. The influence of Satan’s deceptional lies. An increasing desire and willingness to: o Forgive others. o Share God’s truths. o Be with like-minded Christians. You have a different perspective of eternity, God and the Bible. You have a growing assurance that you are a child of God and His possession. You have an increasing urge to know more about God. When you read or hear scripture from the Bible: o It speaks to your heart. o You experience a new and different perspective of God’s word. o You increasingly realize the Bible is filled with absolute truths. You are able to identify changes in the words you speak; your behavior; and your prayer life: what you pray for and how often you pray. Plus you recognize these changes are not because of your own efforts. You are able to hear / recognize the Holy Spirit’s guidance. You experience trials and tribulations with a different perception that is founded upon hope, belief, faith and trust.  Trials and Tribulations Every Christian will experience trials; some in various parts of the world also experience tribulations. A trial is comprised of a test of our faith, patience and stamina as we experience negative situations in life. Trials may involve struggles with family and business relationships, a temporary sickness, constraining circumstances or “walls” that hinders our progress, financial hardship, a job loss, an accident, and so forth. In addition, the length of trials can vary from short to long, have a beginning and an end, may have an effect upon our emotions, may cause undesired physical responses such as stress, and may have varying degrees of difficulty to persevere. “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2-4 “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:6-9 However, a tribulation is much worse than a trial because it comprises severe hardship, adversity, distress, and even death—due to oppression and persecution—because of a faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 Jesus said, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.” John 15:18-20 The Holy Spirit “But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.” 1 John 2:27 “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14 “Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:12-14 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. “These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For ‘who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?’ But we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:10-16 Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Holy Spirit, thank you for Your truth, patience and perseverance. Continue to change me from within so that I increasingly reflect Jesus and His righteousness. Jesus…my Savior and Lord…I give you my heart, my life and all that I am…for You alone are worthy. Jesus said, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20 God Bless You! Harold D. Thomas Can you think of someone who could benefit from reading this lesson? If yes, PASS IT ON! Bible Study Thought-Provoking Questions The purpose of the questions is to facilitate a deeper understanding of the Bible, this Bible study topic and ourselves. The questions may be answered by each reader, or used by a Bible study group leader or church pastor. The following questions should be answered or discussed after reading “Signs God is Calling You Out of Darkness and Into His Light.” All questions are designed to enhance learning via the determination of opinions and/or discovering how the lesson content illuminates our personal lives. As such, no answers are provided. Questions Identify at least 3 reasons why we need the Holy Spirit. Which of the 3 reasons you identified above is the most important to you and why? Identify at least 3 outcomes one may experience as a result of a trial or tribulation. Identify at least 3 spiritual changes you have experienced since accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. Has your perception of yourself changed? If yes, explain. Has your perception of the world changed? If yes, explain. How does a Christian perceive trials and tribulations? Review each of the various internal and external influencers (below) that are used by the Holy Spirit to guide us into truth and change us from within. Identify each one that is relevant to you. Explain and/or discuss if you are in a Christian group setting You have a different “internal” spiritual perspective as you discover: An increase of peace, joy and love. The emptiness and vanity of your past life. Things you once thought were important changes. When you sin you feel bad on the inside. The devastating consequences of sin. Sin is a lie. God’s desire for you to completely trust in Him and turn towards Him. You have a different “external” perspective. As the light of Jesus dissipates darkness, you are able to increasingly see: Empty souls who are confused, lost, unaware of their condition, and are vainly seeking fulfillment in their life. The influence of Satan’s deceptional lies. An increasing desire and willingness to forgive others, share God’s truths, and be with Christians. You have a different perspective of eternity, God and the Bible. You have a growing assurance that you are a child of God and His possession. You have an increasing urge to know more about God. When you read or hear scripture from the Bible: o It speaks to your heart. o You experience a new and different perspective of God’s word. o You increasingly realize the Bible is filled with absolute truths. You are able to identify changes in the words you speak; your behavior; and your prayer life: what you pray for and how often you pray. Plus you recognize these changes are not because of your own efforts. You are able to hear / recognize the Holy Spirit’s guidance. You experience trials and tribulations with a different perception and understanding. You may download a PD F version of the questions by clicking on this button. Please share this lesson with those who need to know more about the Holy Spirit.
Words of Jesus are in red text.