Part 4: Live a Spirit-Driven Life

Acts 20:22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

Paul was not just going through the motions of living a Christian life. He was living a life that was driven by the Spirit of God. Your influence on others is in direct correlation to His influence on you. Your influence is greatly increased when you live according to His leading and opposed to your preferences. Paul knew the best way to influence others was by allowing the Lord to influence every decision of his life. The Holy Spirit will influence your decisions also…if you are listening.

A while ago, Megan and I were having dinner with some friends and the conversation turned to where I was in complete disagreement with someone else at the table. I began to really make my case and be pretty adamant about my perspective, because I knew I was right. As I was making my case, I felt Megan put her hand on my knee under the table and she began to squeeze my leg until I got the message to let it go. Do you ever get those kinds of nudges from your spouse? In that same way, the Holy Spirit can compel you to stop, start, go, and give you the direction you need. No one else may know what He is saying to you or what is going on below the surface of your life, but you know. We leave the most powerful impact on people’s lives when we live according to His compelling. Live a life that is driven by His Spirit by listening for His direction each day.

Today’s Challenge: Realize that you create the greatest influence when you are driven by the influence of the Holy Spirit. It is His influence on our lives that creates the greatest impact of our lives on others. Pray today that the Holy Spirit would guide you and enable you create lasting influences on those around you.