Filtered and Free
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. ––Hebrews 10:22, ESV
The Holy Spirit changes the way we see and filter our circumstances. Only through the Holy Spirit can obstacles become divine opportunities. Only through the Holy Spirit can stumbling blocks be changed into stepping stones toward maturity and spiritual growth. Only through the Holy Spirit can God take a sin that Satan intended to destroy us with, and use it to develop us into the men who gain victory over it. The Holy Spirit’s job is to redeem your mind by reframing your circumstances through the filter of God’s purposes.
Ever visited a waste treatment plant? It’s actually pretty fascinating. There are typically two stages in the process. The EPA website outlines it: “In the primary stage, solids are allowed to settle and removed from wastewater. The secondary stage uses biological processes to further purify wastewater. Sometimes, these stages are combined into one operation.” Similarly, the Holy Spirit acts as our spiritual waste treatment center, cleansing our hearts and minds of the impurities that seep in.
That’s why Paul says “all things” rather than “some things” in the following verse: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). What that means is that while we can never make ourselves fully clean, He can. He can take all our circumstances and use them for His glory. The result? We are cleansed, renewed, and able to rise above our circumstances.
The Holy Spirit reshapes the impressions of our emotions in order to bring reality. His personality and mission are intimately linked to affect our thinking. He influences our living. He filters out the filth. His knowledge, power, and authority affect our very thought and being.
Father, You are absolutely amazing and Your wisdom overwhelms me!
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