Different Spirit
Different Spirit
When the Holy Spirit is in you, you’re not who you used to be.
Let me give you an example. Recently, I upgraded my phone. I told the lady at the counter, “I need an upgrade.” She looked at me and said, “Yes, you do!”
That made me think. When you come to know Jesus Christ, there’s a change that happens too. Suddenly, you can start receiving all the “downloads” from God and actually understand them. My phone looked fine on the outside, but the inside needed work.
That’s exactly what happens when someone begins to follow Jesus. You don’t just get a new look, you get a new operating system.
Before Christ, we were powered by the flesh, controlled by sin, fear, and condemnation. But now? We run on the Spirit of God. We are different, not just because we act differently, but because we are powered differently.
A couple of weeks ago, I said, “You can’t have one without the other.” We talked about the soul. This week, we’re looking at the spirit.
The Spirit:
The spirit is that part of humanity that allows us to have an intimate relationship with God. It’s the immaterial part of us that connects directly with Him, because God Himself is Spirit.
John 4:24 says:
So let’s dive into what it looks like to be led by the Holy Spirit.
Let me give you an example. Recently, I upgraded my phone. I told the lady at the counter, “I need an upgrade.” She looked at me and said, “Yes, you do!”
That made me think. When you come to know Jesus Christ, there’s a change that happens too. Suddenly, you can start receiving all the “downloads” from God and actually understand them. My phone looked fine on the outside, but the inside needed work.
That’s exactly what happens when someone begins to follow Jesus. You don’t just get a new look, you get a new operating system.
Before Christ, we were powered by the flesh, controlled by sin, fear, and condemnation. But now? We run on the Spirit of God. We are different, not just because we act differently, but because we are powered differently.
A couple of weeks ago, I said, “You can’t have one without the other.” We talked about the soul. This week, we’re looking at the spirit.
The Spirit:
The spirit is that part of humanity that allows us to have an intimate relationship with God. It’s the immaterial part of us that connects directly with Him, because God Himself is Spirit.
John 4:24 says:
God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.
So let’s dive into what it looks like to be led by the Holy Spirit.
Main Text: Romans 8:1–13
1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. 12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. 12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
Big Idea: The Holy Spirit makes you different.
You are no longer defined by your past, your mistakes, or your flesh. You are led, filled, and transformed by the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8 shows us a sharp contrast between living by the flesh and living by the power of the Holy Spirit:
When the Holy Spirit lives in you, it’s not just about behavior change, it’s about identity change. You don’t try harder, you live freer.
Romans 8 shows us a sharp contrast between living by the flesh and living by the power of the Holy Spirit:
- Flesh leads to death.
- The Holy Spirit brings life and peace.
- Flesh fights God.
- The Holy Spirit aligns us with God.
- Flesh condemns.
- The Holy Spirit sets us free.
When the Holy Spirit lives in you, it’s not just about behavior change, it’s about identity change. You don’t try harder, you live freer.
1. You Live a Life Set Free
Romans 8:1–2
You’re not walking in guilt; you’re walking in grace.
The Holy Spirit doesn’t just forgive your past; He frees you from it.
Illustration:
Think about Saul. An evil spirit came upon him in 1 Samuel 19, and it drove him to try and kill David. Saul was bound by that spirit. Later, we read about Saul of Tarsus, who persecuted Christians...
Q: Who was set free?
John 8:36 says:
A Word of Caution:
1 Peter 2:16
This freedom isn’t a license to sin, it’s an invitation to serve God wholeheartedly.
A bondservant is someone who has been set free but chooses to stay. That’s how we use our freedom, out of love and devotion to God.
Deuteronomy 15
12 “If your brother, a Hebrew man, or a Hebrew woman, is sold to you and serves you six years, then in the seventh year you shall let him go free from you. 13 And when you send him away free from you, you shall not let him go away empty-handed; 14 you shall supply him liberally from your flock, from your threshing floor, and from your winepress. From what the Lord your God has blessed you with, you shall give to him. 15 You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this thing today. 16 And if it happens that he says to you, ‘I will not go away from you,’ because he loves you and your house, since he prospers with you, 17 then you shall take an awl and thrust it through his ear to the door, and he shall be your servant forever. Also to your female servant you shall do likewise.
What does a Holy Spirit Filled Life look like?
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
You’re not walking in guilt; you’re walking in grace.
The Holy Spirit doesn’t just forgive your past; He frees you from it.
Illustration:
Think about Saul. An evil spirit came upon him in 1 Samuel 19, and it drove him to try and kill David. Saul was bound by that spirit. Later, we read about Saul of Tarsus, who persecuted Christians...
Q: Who was set free?
- David or Saul (the king)?
- Saul or Paul?
John 8:36 says:
Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
A Word of Caution:
1 Peter 2:16
As free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.
This freedom isn’t a license to sin, it’s an invitation to serve God wholeheartedly.
A bondservant is someone who has been set free but chooses to stay. That’s how we use our freedom, out of love and devotion to God.
Deuteronomy 15
12 “If your brother, a Hebrew man, or a Hebrew woman, is sold to you and serves you six years, then in the seventh year you shall let him go free from you. 13 And when you send him away free from you, you shall not let him go away empty-handed; 14 you shall supply him liberally from your flock, from your threshing floor, and from your winepress. From what the Lord your God has blessed you with, you shall give to him. 15 You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this thing today. 16 And if it happens that he says to you, ‘I will not go away from you,’ because he loves you and your house, since he prospers with you, 17 then you shall take an awl and thrust it through his ear to the door, and he shall be your servant forever. Also to your female servant you shall do likewise.
What does a Holy Spirit Filled Life look like?
2. You Live a Life Walking Surrendered
Romans 8:5
Jordan from Life-Pointe explained it like this:
When you are Holy Spirit-led, complete surrender, your algorithm of life changes. People can scroll through your life, and they will see love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness.
You don’t follow feelings; you follow the Spirit’s direction. When He leads, you walk differently, toward purpose, not pressure.
Philippians 3:7–8 says:
Paul is basically saying, “I surrender all.”
What Did Paul Surrender?
When Paul met Christ, he didn’t just make a small adjustment, he surrendered everything. Here’s what that looked like:
What does God want from a Holy Spirit Filled Life?
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
Jordan from Life-Pointe explained it like this:
When you are Holy Spirit-led, complete surrender, your algorithm of life changes. People can scroll through your life, and they will see love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness.
You don’t follow feelings; you follow the Spirit’s direction. When He leads, you walk differently, toward purpose, not pressure.
Philippians 3:7–8 says:
Whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.
Paul is basically saying, “I surrender all.”
What Did Paul Surrender?
When Paul met Christ, he didn’t just make a small adjustment, he surrendered everything. Here’s what that looked like:
- Religious Identity
Paul transitioned from being a Pharisee, a strict adherent to Jewish law, to becoming a follower of Christ. This meant abandoning the legalistic practices he once upheld so tightly. - Social Status
He gave up his position of influence and respect within the Jewish community. Following Christ brought him persecution and rejection from many of his former peers. - Personal Ambitions
Paul laid down his own plans and career path, dedicating his entire life to spreading the gospel instead of pursuing success in Judaism. - Material Comforts
He endured imprisonment, beatings, poverty, and constant hardship, very different from the comfort and security he had once known. - Cultural Norms
Paul walked away from cultural practices and beliefs that clashed with his new faith. Instead, he embraced a new community of believers that crossed ethnic and social boundaries.
What does God want from a Holy Spirit Filled Life?
3. You Live Different
Romans 8:13
You don’t overcome sin by willpower; you overcome it by Holy Spirit power. The old you couldn’t change. The Spirit-filled you can’t stay the same.
It’s impossible to put sin to death on your own. Only the Spirit can do that inner work.
The Spirit draws us to:
A Spirit-filled life won’t be complete until we stand before Jesus.
Philippians 3:12–14 reminds us to keep pressing forward, forgetting what’s behind, and reaching toward the goal.
12 Not that I have already attained,or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
In the meantime...
“Don’t fake change, Spirit-fueled living hits different.”
For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
You don’t overcome sin by willpower; you overcome it by Holy Spirit power. The old you couldn’t change. The Spirit-filled you can’t stay the same.
It’s impossible to put sin to death on your own. Only the Spirit can do that inner work.
The Spirit draws us to:
- Spend time in God’s presence
Hebrews 10:22
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
James 4:8
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. - Feed daily on His Word
Matthew 4:4
Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
1 Peter 2:2
As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby. - Fellowship with other believers
Acts 2:46–47
So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Hebrews 10:24–25
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some . . .
A Spirit-filled life won’t be complete until we stand before Jesus.
Philippians 3:12–14 reminds us to keep pressing forward, forgetting what’s behind, and reaching toward the goal.
12 Not that I have already attained,or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
In the meantime...
“Don’t fake change, Spirit-fueled living hits different.”
Walk With the Holy Spirit Daily
Don’t just talk about living by the Spirit, practice it.
This week:
“The mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” – Romans 8:6
What if?
(Link Video: Spirit Lead Me)
This week:
- Set Your Mind
Start each day asking, “Holy Spirit, what do You want from me today?” (Romans 8:5) - Kill Old Habits
Identify one flesh-driven habit or temptation and surrender it daily to God. (Romans 8:13) - Speak Life
The Spirit brings life and peace. Share encouragement, truth, and love wherever you go.
“The mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” – Romans 8:6
What if?
(Link Video: Spirit Lead Me)
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