Throughout my ministry, I consistently teach, counsel and write about being Holy Ghost controlled. I taught six years, six different subjects, at Christian Life College in Stockton, CA., under Dr. Daniel Segraves. For over 50 years, I have been teaching God’s Word. My father (Elder Raymond Theobald 1910 – 1995) was my pastor/teacher/mentor/Eschatology theologian who greatly influenced my life. For 25 years, I have been counseling people as a Certified Pastoral Counselor.
The students at CLC told me they would remember me by my encouraging everyone to be Holy Ghost controlled. I pray they not only remember, but they have implemented the manifestations of the Fruit of the Spirit! Let me explain.
Galatians 5:22-26 The Voice (VOICE) Commentary paragraph from The Voice:
“Paul has been preaching about the call of God to freedom, and so he now spells it out: we are done with the demands of the law; now we are free to live in the Spirit and to be truly right with God. As free people, the Spirit gives us the characteristics of Jesus; we, too, can freely love in joy and peace. We can have patience along with kindness and faithfulness that can only come from the Father. We can reflect the goodness of God while being gentle in operating with self-control. For those who follow Him and live in the Spirit, these characteristics or fruits are a gift from God. As we grow in the faith, we find that we belong to God and can walk daily in the Spirit.”
22 “The Holy Spirit produces a different kind of fruit: unconditional love, joy, peace, patience, kindheartedness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. You won’t find any law opposed to fruit like this. 24 Those of us who belong to the Anointed One have crucified our old lives and put to death the flesh and all the lusts and desires that plague us.
25 Now since we have chosen to walk with the Spirit, let’s keep each step in perfect sync with God’s Spirit. 26 This will happen when we set aside our self-interests and work together to create true community instead of a culture consumed by provocation, pride, and envy.”
The Voice (VOICE)
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
This above commentary and scripture is self-explanatory. If we allow the Holy Ghost that is ‘shed abroad in our hearts’ that is the love of God do its work, we will be Holy Ghost controlled. Romans 5:5King James Version (KJV)
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
King James Version (KJV)
How can we be Holy Ghost controlled? By giving God complete control of our lives through His Spirit – we are to walk in the Spirit, not in the flesh. This is a matter of choice. This is the ‘war in the flesh’ that Paul discusses in Galatians the 5th chapter. We all have choice to how we react to all situations. It is not acceptable to God to blame others or excuse our sinful words and actions because of what others say or do.
How do we implement this command from God to ‘walk in the Spirit?’ We are to remember that we are responsible to God for every thought, feeling, and action. When a thought comes into my mind, I choose to take the thought to God and allow time for His wisdom before I open my mouth. I must choose to allow God’s Spirit to control my tongue and my actions.
Ephesians 4: 15 instructs us to ‘grow up into Him.’ As a new babe in Christ, we must allow the Word to nurture us. As we grow in God, we are to choose to allow His Fruit through the power of the Holy Ghost to change us consistently. It is always a choice. God does not force anyone to do anything. If we love Him, we will keep His commandments. If we love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12), we will walk in the Spirit by choice.
We are living in flesh in Satan’s territory. Satan is the ‘god’ of this world. This is why we must understand we need to put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6) and use the most powerful weapon – the sword of the Spirit – which is the Word of God.
I have the ability in the flesh to spout out words that are painful – death and life are in the power of the tongue. But I choose to take my thoughts to God first! I share with God my frustrations and ask for His wisdom on how to respond to every situation. (This can be done in an instant when we practice an ongoing dialogue with God). It is called being Holy Ghost controlled. I saw this by example as a young child growing up in the home with my father who walked in the Spirit. I saw him process his flesh-reactions to life and ministry events through God first before action. Then my father would handle issues with God’s wisdom.
The Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God! When we become feeders on God’s Word, we are equipping ourselves with the power of His Word and Spirit to walk in the Spirit! This is why teaching the Word of God for spiritual, emotional and relational growth is the most important ongoing activity of the church after sharing the gospel salvation.
A new baby in the flesh must be nourished, nurtured, taught, fed, loved – training the child in the way that he/she should go (Proverbs 22:6). We must teach the Word of God in our churches and encourage self-feeders. Each of us has direct access to God through His Word and Spirit. We individually will stand before God and give an account for our life. We have no excuse for continually sinning in our words and actions.
1 John 3:9-10New Living Translation (NLT)
9 Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life[a] is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God. 10 So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers[b] does not belong to God.
Footnotes:
Being Holy Ghost controlled is a matter of choice. Please allow the Fruit of the Spirit to work in your heart. From the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks (Luke 6:45). We can all be Holy Ghost controlled when we allow God to keep us on His potter’s wheel to be formed and shaped for His glory!
© Carol Clemans – February 2017. I love teaching God’s anointed Word for churches/conferences. I provide nationwide confidential counseling and Christian life coaching by phone/Skype (636) 448-0121. Read www.carolclemans.org ‘about ministry’ for complete bio of life and ministry, 365+ articles, teaching CD’s & DVD’s, book: God’s Design for Marriage. Teach marriage seminars. Watch teaching videos on Carol Clemans YouTube. On FB: LIFE ENRICHMENT MINISTRIES, INC. (501c3), Carol Theobald Clemans, Group: Growing in God Spiritually, Emotionally & Relationally, WORLDWIDE APOSTOLIC PENTECOSTAL FRIENDS, Google+, Linked-In, Instagram. Ministry Ref: Pastor Daniel Batchelor, Dupo, IL.