Saying "Yes" to the Holy Spirit
Text: 2 Corinthians 1:15-22

Paul was single-minded in life. His ministry was not his main focus. Jesus was his focus, and out of his love relationship with Jesus flowed his ministry. However, the Corinthians questioned his integrity and character because Paul didn't do as they expected. Paul listened to the Holy Spirit leading. Unlike Paul, many of them were self-consumed and made their plans "according to the flesh" (verse 17). Instead of being a community of people united by the Spirit of God, the Church at Corinth was embracing sin, confused, and split into factions. So, criticizing Paul came easily because it flowed from a hard and carnal heart. Jesus was not their focus.

What about you? What is stopping you from being single-minded for Jesus? What is distracting you? Do you have a divided heart?

Paul Tripp writes, "If we were honest, most of us would have to humbly confess that we tend to be far more concerned about the sin of the people around us than our own. We tend to be hyperaware of the weaknesses of those living near us while we appear to be functionally blind to our own. For this reason, we begin to forget that we are more like them than unlike them, that there are few things that we can see in the lives of others that are not present in our own lives in some way."

Tripp continues, "You can't confess what you haven't grieved. You can't grieve what you don't see. And you can't repent of what you haven't confessed."

If we're willing to listen, the Holy Spirit will reveal areas of our lives where we have competing loyalties and double-mindedness. We all have a tendency to avoid an honest examination of ourselves in the presence of God. Many of us seek diversions, distractions, and busyness to elude this encounter.

Will you carve out some time this week for self-examination? In the end, this will be a happy exercise, as you'll find great joy and peace by submitting more of yourself to God's purposes for you. Why? Because "you were bought with a price" and have been called to "glorify God in your body" (1 Corinthians 6:20). 

Here are several things to consider as you do this self-examination:

• Remember that we always move in the direction where we perceive the greatest happiness. So, examine the things that bring you the greatest happiness.
• Confess the behaviors, attitudes, and idols that are not Jesus-centered.
• Ask God to give you superior satisfaction in Jesus.