Decision-Making and Ethics – Holy Spirit

Today, we will wrap up our look at how followers of Jesus should approach making decisions when the Bible doesn’t draw an obvious line between right and wrong or tell us, “Do this, and don’t do that.” We’ve looked at how to apply the broad principles of Scripture, as well as how prayer and wise counsel can help us with our challenges. To wrap everything up, we will take a look at the role the Holy Spirit plays in guiding our behavior and decisions.

First, let’s think about how we relate to the Holy Spirit and the work He does in our lives. Scripture tells us that those of us who follow Jesus get the benefit of having the Holy Spirit abiding in us, which describes how He lives in us and does not leave. This was predicted in the Old Testament, when Ezekiel shared this word from the Lord: “I will place my Spirit within you and cause you to follow my statutes and carefully observe my ordinances” (Ezekiel 36:27). Centuries later, Jesus told His followers that what Ezekiel predicted would happen after Jesus Himself left the earth. He said, “It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7b). And He also said, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever” (John 14:16). Knowing that alone should give us encouragement because it means we have the God of the universe dwelling in us, and there is no challenge too great for Him.

The Spirit fighting our flesh is a key way that He helps us grow to look more like Christ. Jesus Himself was trained in fighting His flesh by the Holy Spirit.

Thankfully, though, Scripture revealed much more than just that to help us understand. Jesus described the work the Spirit will do for us. He said the Spirit will convict us (see John 16:8), guide us to the truth (see John 16:13), and teach us and remind us of the words of Jesus (see John 14:26). Paul also talked extensively about the Spirit and how He works. In 2 Corinthians 3:18, he reveals that we become like Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. One other recurring theme in Paul’s writing is how our flesh is opposed to the work of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:16–18; Romans 8:4–8). Another way you can say that is that the Spirit fights our flesh. So, when we pair that idea with the truth that the Spirit helps us look more like Jesus, we can see that the Spirit fighting our flesh is a key way that He helps us grow to look more like Christ. That idea is even supported in the Gospels, when it describes the Holy Spirit leading Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted (see Matthew 4:1; Mark 1:12–13; Luke 4:1–2). Jesus Himself was trained in fighting His flesh by the Holy Spirit.

Now, what are we supposed to do with all of this? How do these things apply to how we are living and the decisions we make? Let’s apply this first to questions of morality, which are usually more straightforward. As you grow closer to Jesus and become more like Him through the power of the Holy Spirit, the moral right and wrong will become clearer to you, and you will notice the Spirit leading you to what is right. Jesus indicated this when he described the Spirit convicting us of “sin” and “righteousness” (John 16:8). He first helps us recognize sin so we know what we should turn away from, and then he helps us know what righteousness looks like so we know what we should turn to. Pursuing righteousness will always help us become more like Christ.

Not all situations are that straightforward, though. Some of our questions are not explicitly moral. So how can the Spirit help us in those situations? In everything, we have to remember that the Spirit wants to fight our flesh to help us look more like Jesus. As you grow to be more sensitive to the Spirit, the rebellion of your flesh will become clearer to you. Begin asking yourself which of the options in front of you will do more to help you fight your flesh. For example, the two job opportunities you are considering may seem pretty equal on the surface, and neither of them would lead you into a moral wrong, but if you stop to think about how each one of them might challenge your flesh and lead you to greater spiritual growth, one of those opportunities might start to stand out. Good things could come from both of them, but if one will bring about greater spiritual fruit, that might be the path you should pursue.

As helpful as that is, however, we should acknowledge that situations will sometimes still feel fuzzy. As long as we are on this earth, that will never go away. But the more you practice looking at your life through the lens of pursuing what will make you look more like Jesus and less like your rebellious flesh, the more you will be able to discern what actions and decisions will bring you closer to Him. And that awareness of the Spirit’s work will bring about a reassurance and confidence that whatever decision you make, He will use it to bring about your growth because you have invited Him in and are surrendering yourself to His work. Paul describes this as “walk[ing] by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16), and there is truly no better way to walk through this world.

If you want to keep learning about what it looks like to live in a relationship with God, check out our other Experience Commentary articles and explore more resources on our website, experiencecc.com.