Transcription
If you're discouraged right now because of what you think is a lack of spiritual progress, I want to give you nine signs that the Holy Spirit is transforming you right now. Remember, the Holy Spirit is the one doing the work. Let me encourage you with this verse. Philippians 1:6 says, "And I am certain that God who began the good work within you will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns."
Not perfection, but progress. God is the one who will accomplish everything that needs to be accomplished. You just need to abide and surrender. So, let's take a look now at those signs that the Holy Spirit is indeed transforming you.
Number one, you're going to notice selflessness and sacrifice. John 15:12-13 say this: "This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." So here we're being given the demonstration of the greatest form of love. And in being given that demonstration, we're given a definition. Love is selflessness. Love is putting others before yourself. And the Holy Spirit gives you that love. Watch this now. Romans 5:5: "And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." Well, he's the one who puts the love there. So, you might be frustrated with what you think is a lack of progress. But I want you to pay attention to how your love for others is growing, how you put others before yourself, how you esteem others and think of others and prefer others.
You'll notice radical forgiveness. Maybe beforehand you would hold on to things, offenses. Someone would say something or do something or forget something and you would hold on to it. But now you're noticing little by little that you're able to release more easily. Or perhaps now you're serving without expecting something in return. Maybe at your local church, maybe just helping out a friend or a family member. You're giving because of your love for them. You're giving because of a love for God. And you're considering their need. You're putting yourself in their situation. And instead of thinking about what you can get back, you're just thinking about them as an individual.
Maybe you are finding yourself now loving the unlovable. Beforehand, maybe you weren't so understanding. You weren't so patient. You weren't so gracious with others. You were quick to judge. And now the Holy Spirit's softening your heart. And that compassion is beginning to flow out of you toward others.
Maybe you're becoming a generous giver. Well, that's part of selflessness. You're giving of your time, your talent, and your treasure. Yes, your finances. You're telling the truth even when it's uncomfortable. But think about how selfless that is. Because sometimes it's true that we withhold the truth because we don't want to offend someone or because we don't want them to dislike us. There are a few things more loving that you can do than telling the truth. When you tell someone the truth, it's not always comfortable. Sometimes it makes things a little bit awkward. But when you tell them that truth, you are demonstrating, "I love you." You're not being rude. You're not being opinionated. You're not just saying things because you want to say things, but you're telling them things they need to hear because you love them.
You're being present with others who are hurting. You're being selfless and caring. That is a sign that the Holy Spirit is working in you.
Number two, supernatural happiness. Now, this doesn't mean that you're delusional and go around day-to-day never worrying about anything at all or always smiling, always laughing, but there's a very grounded joy that you have in your heart. Now, maybe you've heard this saying before. It's pretty common. Christians often say it. They'll say something like, "Well, the world has happiness, but Christians have joy." And that's a little bit of an odd statement because technically happiness and joy are almost synonymous. So really what we should be looking at is not necessarily the fact that the world has happiness and we have joy as if they're different things, but we should look at Matthew 5:45 and 46 to help ground us in our understanding of this supernatural happiness.
So here the scripture says, "In that way you will be acting as true children of your father in heaven, for he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much." So here Jesus is telling us that everyone experiences good and bad here in this life. That the father blesses everyone in some way. And so it's not as though the world doesn't understand what happiness is. I mean, people in the world get married. People in the world have children. People in the world have accomplishments. So they experience happiness based on those things. But really, the big difference between worldly joy and joy that is divine is the source.
Let me show you something interesting here. When God created plant life, he spoke to the earth. And you see that in Genesis 1:11. When God created sea creatures, he spoke to the waters. And that, of course, you can see in Genesis 1:20. When God created land-dwelling creatures, he spoke to the earth. Genesis 1:24. Now, think about this. When God created you, who did he speak to? Genesis 1:26 and 27: "And God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.' So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." Now, here we see that God spoke to himself. In other words, the source of your being, the source of your life, the root of your existence is divine. God spoke to himself when he formed man. So nothing can outlast its source. So what is the difference between worldly joy and divine joy? The source. And because nothing can outlast its source, when we receive our joy from the Holy Spirit, it's joy overflowing. It's joy eternal.
In John 14:16, Jesus said, "And I will pray the father, and he shall give you another comforter, that he may abide with you forever." Well, the Holy Spirit abides with you forever. He remains. And so, because we have the Holy Spirit within us, the Holy Spirit gives us this divine joy, this supernatural happiness, if you will, that is stable and consistent even in troubling times. And that's another sign that the Holy Spirit is working on you.
Another sign that the Holy Spirit is transforming you is a divine calm. Calm in all circumstances. Why? Because you have peace with God. Romans 5:1 and 2: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." So, we have peace with God because of what Christ has accomplished. And so now we know that between us and the father, it's perfect peace. The reconciliation has taken place.
You have peace with others. Ephesians 4:3: "Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the spirit, binding yourselves together with peace." So that unity in the spirit binds you in peace with other believers. Why? Because the same Holy Spirit in them is united with the same Holy Spirit in you. So he gives you that peace when others provoke you. He helps you to reconcile with others. Put aside the ego and be reconciled to your brothers and sisters. He gives you peace when you're losing an argument. By that, I mean, you ever get frustrated when you're trying to convince someone of something? You know they're wrong and they're just being stubborn about it. The Holy Spirit will give you the peace to say, "Okay, fine. You can think what you want, and I still love you." That is peace with others.
You'll also have peace within. Isaiah 26:3 says, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." Even in chaos, when others are panicking and worrying, they're listening to the news, they're listening to the hype, you're calm. You have that divine peace within you. Peace when everything seems to be falling apart. When nothing looks like it's aligning in ministry, in business, in your finances, there's that divine peace in you saying, "God's going to take care of it. He always has and he always will." Even in spiritual warfare, by the way, when the enemy is trying to harass you, some Christians panic. "Oh no, the devil's attacking me!" They freak out over that. But not you. Why? Because the Holy Spirit's working on you. And so now you acknowledge, "Okay, the enemy may try to come in like a flood, but God will raise a standard against that flood."
Number four, unusual patience. In my book, *Holy Spirit: God Within You*, available at encounterthespirit.com, I wrote about patience like this: "It can be said that true divine patience isn't just about how long you can wait, but also your attitude in the waiting." While that's true, patience is more than the ability to wait for long measures of time or to tolerate excessive delay. Patience can also be revealed in your capacity for enduring hardships, disappointments, inconveniences, and aggravations. Patience is the ability to endure trials, tragedies, upsets, and delays without becoming bitter, entitled, cynical, doubt-filled, or angry. James 1:2-4 say this: "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into diverse temptations, knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."
So, it's not just the passage of time. Some Christians feel entitled that God should reward them because, "I've waited so long," or "I've been praying so long for that miracle, you need to already do it," or "I've been believing so long for that breakthrough, Lord, you owe this to me." And that's a bad attitude. Why? Because patience remains faith-filled. Patience remains positive. Patience remains grateful even when facing delay and trial. So again, it's not just in how long you wait. It's your attitude while you wait. Remaining filled with faith and gratitude even when your prayers are delayed.
To love someone who is struggling. That is patience. Maybe they're trying to improve. Maybe they're trying to overcome that addiction. Maybe they're trying to make things right and they keep messing up and you can see that they're trying. Patience. That's where God gives you that help.
Minor frustrations when you're in a hurry. Nothing is more frustrating than when you're in a hurry. Because when you're in a hurry, everything annoys you. Everything seems like a major inconvenience. Everything is blown out of proportion. That's where patience comes in. Not to worry or to hurry, but to flow at God's grace.
Maybe you're waiting on a spouse. Patience doesn't throw a pity party, saying, "Oh, there's someone for everyone but me." Or maybe patience helps you to not be jealous of others who are experiencing the joy of marriage. And this is just one example, but this is how God gives us patience working in our lives.
Number five, being kind. Now, there's three ways that you can demonstrate this type of kindness. And you'll notice it begin to manifest in your life in these three different ways. And when you see this, just know that the Lord is working on you. Again, we're so dismissive of things like this because we think we have to be perfect in all areas, that sometimes we forget about those little things that we're seeing progress in.
So, for example, there's hospitality. Acts 28:2: "The people of the island were very kind to us. It was cold and rainy, so they built a fire on the shore to welcome us." Kindness is attentive to the needs of others. So that kindness is demonstrated through hospitality.
Forgiveness is one of the demonstrations. Ephesians 4:32: "And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." So kindness forgives like God has forgiven. Not keeping a record of wrong. Not holding on to it so that they can use it against you and make you owe them, but letting it go, releasing it and saying, "The Lord's forgiven me of much. I'll forgive you of this."
Kindness also manifests as generosity. Luke 6:35: "And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return. Love your enemies. Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great. You will truly be acting as children of the most high. For he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked." That's generosity. Yes. Of your finances too. Generosity to ministries. Generosity to the undeserving. Generosity to your loved ones. That kindness is a demonstration that the Holy Spirit is working in you.
Again, we look for him in what we would describe as the big ways, right? "Well, I'm not really growing in the prophetic," or "I'm not really seeing a lot of miracles right now," or "I haven't cast out a demon since last Tuesday." And we equate spiritual progress with just acts of the supernatural. And the supernatural, of course, is important, but don't overlook this. Maybe you're just kinder now. Well, isn't that a reason to celebrate? That's what the Holy Spirit's doing in you.
Another sign that the Holy Spirit is transforming you now is virtue. That is goodness or moral uprightness. Living clean and free of hypocrisy. Now, your virtue is going to be tested in three ways. And I want you to be perfectly honest and tell me in the comment section how you do with these three tests, if you will. And be honest.
The first test: cravings versus conviction. Now, this right here is what you desire coming up against what you believe. Does that goodness hold? Does that moral uprightness stay intact? Does that virtue stay in place? James 1:13-15: "And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, 'God is tempting me.' God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own sinful desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions, and when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death." So how do you do? How does your virtue hold up? How does your integrity hold up when what you desire contradicts what you believe? When your cravings contradict your convictions?
The second test: pressure versus principles. Psalm 1:1: "Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked or stand around with sinners or join in with mockers." In other words, when others are pressuring you to do what they do, to talk like they talk, to go where they go, how do your principles stand up against that peer pressure coming against you? Are you one way before God in private and then another way in public with non-believers? Or maybe it's the inverse of that. Maybe in private you're hanging out with people you shouldn't be hanging out with, and they're pressuring you to act differently than you do as a public Christian.
Number three: integrity versus secrecy. Hebrews 4:13: "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable." How does your integrity hold when no one else is looking? This is why that's important. Because when others are around, you're performing for them. You're playing a role. You're playing a part. You're acting. That's why Jesus called them hypocrites, because they were actors. That's what that word means. Who you are in secret is who you are in reality. When you're acting in secret, there's no one there to perform for. It's just the Lord. So that determines whether or not you actually believe in God, whether you actually believe he's watching, whether you actually believe righteousness matters. So integrity versus secrecy. Again, tell me in the comments how you did there. Cravings versus convictions, pressure versus principles, integrity versus secrecy.
Number seven, reliability or faithfulness. This is loyalty, trustworthiness. In Colossians 3:23-24, we read, "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward and that the master you are serving is Christ." In other words, everything that we do is ultimately unto the Lord. Everything that we do is ultimately a reflection on the Lord. Why? Because we're his children. We're his representatives. So, how are you representing him? Do your friends consider you reliable? Do your loved ones know that you're trustworthy? Or is it kind of a joke when they say, "Well, don't ask so-and-so because they're just going to cancel," or "I wouldn't call you in an emergency because you never reply," or "Don't make plans with them because they'll change them last minute or they'll show up late." These are things you need to consider because they're indicators of your reliability. But when others can depend on you, when others say, "Call them, that's your person," or "I knew I could call you because you always come through." And I'm not saying you can't ever make mistakes, but generally speaking, people know you to be reliable.
God rewards reliability. Luke 16:10-12: "If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people's things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?" Keeping your promises even when it's inconvenient, God rewards that. Speaking with integrity with no hidden agenda, God rewards that. Honoring small commitments as much as you honor big commitments. Can others rely on you? Are you loyal in difficult seasons? That's a question you have to ask yourself. But if you can say yes, or at least that you're improving in those areas, because again, it's not that we should be absolutely perfect. I mean, obviously, we should aspire to be as much like Jesus as we possibly can every day, but it's about the progress that you're making, the journey you're going on. So, you might be frustrated with yourself right now, saying, "I'm making all these mistakes. I'm not really growing in all the areas I want to grow." Well, celebrate the wins. Look at the areas you are growing. And if this is one of them, celebrate that. Maybe you're becoming more reliable than you were before. Maybe you're keeping your word at a higher rate this time. That's what you want. You want to see that progress.
Listen, if you're being challenged by this message and you think other believers will be challenged by this message, then make sure to leave a like on the video now so that you can spread this message to more Christians around the world. And also make sure you subscribe to the channel if you're enjoying the content so that you can continue to receive my teachings on the Holy Spirit.
Eight, Christlike humility. Now, it's important that we understand that humility is not self-hatred or talking down or being shy, because sometimes that's what we think humility is. We think that if we hate ourselves or dislike ourselves or talk down on ourselves or criticize ourselves, or if we're really shy and quiet, that that equates to humility. But that's not what humility is. Humility is simply seeing yourself in reference to who God is with sobriety. In other words, when you look at yourself compared to other people, sometimes you think you're better than you actually are, and sometimes you think you're worse than you actually are. But when you compare yourself to God, you look at him and you see his holiness and you say, "Okay, I'm not holy. He's holy. There is none righteous, no, not one. He's the only one who deserves worship and praise." It humbles you. But then when you see his love for you, it gives you confidence, and you're not constantly talking yourself down. So there's a balance there.
Romans 12:3 says, "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." And so, we need to have that humility, not just in reference to God, but towards others. Look at Ephesians 4:2: "Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love." That humility causes you to leave allowances for others' faults. So when you're humble, you can admit when you're wrong. Listen, humility doesn't make you weak. It makes you so confident in who you are in God that you have nothing to prove.
Seeking God's wisdom before acting, that's another sign of humility. Celebrating others without envy. Taking the lower place without feeling lesser. Acknowledging your own strengths without boasting. And obeying God even when it hurts your ego. Sometimes he's going to bring correction. Sometimes he's going to make you apologize and reconcile. Sometimes he's going to shift directions, and it's going to feel humbling. But you should respond to God and people with humility. And if you're seeing that demonstrated in your life, that humility, that gentleness is increasing, then the Holy Spirit's working on you.
Number nine, self-mastery. Proverbs 25:28: "A person without self-control is like a city with broken down walls." Control over your speech. Do you just say things because you feel like saying them? How often do you excuse the foolish talk by saying, "Well, I was just saying," or "I'm just telling the truth," or "That's just how I am. I tell it like it is." Or maybe you post things on social media that are emotionally immature, that are slanderous in nature, that are mean-spirited, that are rude, that are provocative just for the sake of being provocative. Consider how you control your speech. Remember that a wise man speaks because he has something to say. A fool speaks because he just has to say something.
Control over your actions. To master self is to do the difficult things that you don't want to do and to deny the things you know you ought not to do. That is where self-control comes in. To take up the task of doing what you know you should do and to avoid what you know you shouldn't do.
Control over your attitudes. I call this the art of happiness. You know, some people, they're just miserable in every situation. You compliment them, they wonder what was wrong with them yesterday. If they're on a trip, they're pointing out everything that's wrong with the trip. If you give them a gift, they point out the inconveniences of the gift. Everything they look at in life is through a lens of negativity because they're not controlling their attitude. Most people don't realize that joy is a choice. That being positive and truth-filled is a choice, and that is self-control. To control your attitude and to adjust no matter the circumstances, even if the circumstances aren't ideal, even if everything's not going the way you want it to go, to adjust and to do what's right in terms of the attitude.
To control your thoughts. You can't control the thoughts that come to your mind. That's impulsive. But you can control what you meditate on, what you focus on.
Galatians 5:22 and 23: "But the Holy Spirit, note that it's the Holy Spirit who produces it. The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things."
Lord, I pray that you would help us to be more like Jesus. In all these areas, Lord, where we recognize that we ought to be more like you, we submit. We repent. We surrender to your hand. Help us to be more like Jesus. And Holy Spirit, thank you that you are transforming us. Thank you that you are producing this fruit within us. Help us to demonstrate that fruit. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray. Say it because you believe it. Say and type amen.
Listen, don't be discouraged. The Holy Spirit is working on you. He is the one who is producing the fruit. Just continue to follow after him and celebrate those little wins as you go along.
Now, I want to challenge you to do something. I want to challenge you to do something that is selfless and that is sacrificial. Now, I believe that when we give financially to God's work, that the Lord increases our resources. He blesses us. That's biblical. There's no denying that. I've seen that in my life. I know you've seen it in yours. But I want you to put that out of your mind for now. Don't let what comes back to you be your primary reason for giving.
Here's the challenge. As you give right now, and we all have a responsibility to support the gospel. As you give, I want you to think about the people on the other side of your giving. Think about the people who will hear the gospel because you gave. And don't dismiss yourself. That's something that we do to sometimes try to get out of our responsibilities. We'll say, "Well, someone else will do it," or "Mine doesn't really count as much." All of us count, and we all have a responsibility to expand the kingdom. So for now, put out of your mind what comes back and just think about the person on the other side of that gift. Who we're going to be able to reach because of your support. Someone being saved. Think about that kind of testimony. Someone's eternity being transformed. A soul snatched from hellfire. Think about the relief that they're going to feel knowing that they're forgiven. Knowing that their life is now being transformed. We want to see people delivered. Think about the drug addict, the alcoholic, the porn addict who's going to receive a message or a prayer that's going to finally break the power of the enemy over their life as a result of your giving. The healing we will see. The encounters with the Holy Spirit that people will have. All of that happens when you support.
So think about the person on the other side of your giving and go right now. Don't delay to davidhernandezministries.com/partner. Ask the Holy Spirit what you should sign up for in terms of your partnership. Just open that page and say, "Holy Spirit, what do you want me to do?" You can also give a single gift by going to davidhernandezministries.com/donate. Do the same. Open that page. If you're already a partner, open that donate page. davidhernandezministries.com/donate and say, "Holy Spirit, what do you want me to give?" Do that now, and I know that we will reach many because of your partnership. So, I thank you for that.
Also, check out my video. If you feel like you've wrecked God's plan for your life, watch this.