You’re Pushing the Holy Spirit Away Without Knowing It! - C. S. Lewis

Summary

This script explores the concept of the Holy Spirit's 'hiding nature,' emphasizing that He never abandons believers but rather draws them closer during difficult seasons. It discusses how faith matures when reliance on emotions or experiences fades, and trust in God's word deepens. The script also highlights the importance of testing in spiritual growth, stressing that God often uses challenging times to refine and purify motives. Ultimately, it encourages believers to trust God's presence even when it feels distant, understanding these trials as opportunities for deeper faith.

Takeaways

• 🙌 The Holy Spirit has a 'hiding nature,' but this doesn't mean He abandons you. He remains present even in difficult seasons.
• 🙏 God uses low points and trials to teach lessons that can't be learned any other way, as pointed out by CS Lewis.
• 🌟 Your performance does not determine the Holy Spirit's presence. He abides with you faithfully regardless of your mistakes.
• 📖 The hiding nature of the Holy Spirit is meant to draw you closer to God, moving you away from reliance on feelings or experiences.
• 💡 Faith is about holding onto God's truth, even when emotions or circumstances make you feel distant from Him.
• 🕊 The Holy Spirit's hiding nature isn't rejection but a way to test and purify your heart, similar to how God tested Hezekiah.
• 🎯 During trials, God wants to see how you respond, purifying your motives and teaching you to rely on Him, not on emotional experiences.
• 💪 Like Joseph, God may test you, but the testing is meant to strengthen your faith, even when doing the right thing seems to lead to hardship.
• 🚶‍♂️ The Holy Spirit walks ahead to lead you to deeper places, summoning you to a closer relationship with God.
• 🌱 If you seek God wholeheartedly, you will find Him. God disrupts things that distract or disobey His call, pulling you back to His presence.

Q & A

What does the 'hiding nature' of the Holy Spirit mean?

The 'hiding nature' of the Holy Spirit means that there are times when we may not feel His presence, but He does not abandon us. It is meant to draw us closer to God by teaching us to rely on our faith rather than our emotions or experiences.

Does the Holy Spirit abandon us when we make mistakes?

No, the Holy Spirit does not abandon us when we make mistakes. He abides with us faithfully, even when we fail. His presence is not determined by our performance.

How can understanding the hiding nature of the Holy Spirit help us in difficult seasons?

Understanding the hiding nature of the Holy Spirit helps us realize that God is still working in our lives, even when we do not feel His presence. It helps us stay strong in our faith, knowing that He is leading us to deeper spiritual maturity.

What role do emotions play in our faith, according to the speaker?

Emotions are part of our human experience and can accompany encounters with God, but they should not be the foundation of our faith. Faith should be based on trust in God's Word, regardless of our changing feelings.

What is the significance of testing in a believer's life?

Testing in a believer's life serves to strengthen their faith, purify their motives, and prepare them for greater responsibilities. It helps ensure that they remain committed to God even when things do not go as planned.

How does the Holy Spirit respond to disobedience?

The Holy Spirit may disrupt our lives to get our attention and guide us back to obedience. He may remove things we are relying on if they are leading us away from God's plan.

Why is it important to continue seeking God even when we do not feel His presence?

It is important because God promises that if we seek Him wholeheartedly, we will find Him. The absence of emotional experiences does not mean God is not present; it is an invitation to grow in faith and dependence on Him.

What lesson can we learn from the story of Joseph in relation to testing and faith?

Joseph's story teaches us that even when doing the right thing leads to difficult situations, we must trust God's plan. His time in prison was a period of testing that ultimately led to greater blessings and responsibilities.

How does the Holy Spirit lead us to deeper places?

The Holy Spirit leads us to deeper places by sometimes withdrawing the emotional experiences of His presence, prompting us to seek Him more earnestly and develop a stronger, more mature faith.

What does it mean to rely on God daily, according to C.S. Lewis?

Relying on God daily means trusting Him as if nothing has been done before, regardless of past experiences or present feelings. It involves a continuous act of faith and surrender to God's guidance.