The greatest need today-unlocking spiritual power<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
By Shane Idleman
 For many years, when a book or resource was recommended to me, especially the Bible, I said, "No thanks, I'm not a reader. Plus, I'm too busy." But when I truly trusted in Jesus Christ and prayed for a strong desire to serve Him, and sought God with all of my heart, something changed. I studied the Bible daily, listened to countless hours of sermons, and read dozens of Christian books and biographies. I couldn't get enough. Granted, not everyone will experience the same type of intensity-God prepares us for different ministries; however, hunger for knowledge of Him should be real and evident.
Looking back, I avoided reading the Bible because my spiritual life was unhealthy. In the medical field, hunger is often a sign of health. When we're sick, we're often not hungry. In the same way, our spiritual hunger is often related to our spiritual health. God's Word is to our spirit what food is to our body. If there is a lack of hunger for God's Word and spiritual growth, the spirit is weak and unhealthy. Jesus said that man does not live on bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). We need spiritual food.
Generally, we wouldn't think of going without food. Why then do we often neglect God-given spiritual food that is far more necessary? And why aren't more people serving Christ passionately? One reason is because we often overlook the work of God's Spirit in our lives. One of the wonderful things about having a relationship with Jesus is that the Holy Spirit resides in us.
The Holy Spirit is not some weird, mystical force; He's part of the triune nature of God. The Bible says that the Spirit intercedes, leads, guides, teaches, and so on. (Check out Romans 8:26; Acts 8:29; John 16:13.) He enables and empowers us to hunger and thirst for righteousness, and to boldly live for Christ. God's Word becomes living and active in the life of the believer who is continually filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). Charles Spurgeon said it best, "What can a hammer do without the hand that grasps it, and what can we do without the Spirit of God?"
If you doubt the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a Christian, simply read the New Testament Book of Acts. If God seems distant, Bible study boring, and church irrelevant, it's probably because the work of the Holy Spirit is being suppressed. More change will be seen outwardly as the Holy Spirit is given more power to rule inwardly.
It's possible to be "Bible taught," but not "Spirit led," thus making spiritual issues boring and dry. The Scriptures, to be understood, must be read with the same Spirit that originally inspired them. Understanding God's Word and living a victorious Christian life can only be achieved by the power of the Holy Spirit. If the Holy Spirit inspired the Scriptures, and Jesus and the Apostles began their ministry in the power of the Spirit, we would be wise to ask for His guidance as well.
I sincerely believe that the greatest need in the lives of Christians today is the power of the Holy Spirit. It's been said that if the power of the Holy Spirit were removed from the early church, 90 percent of the work would have ceased. Unfortunately, it appears that if the Holy Spirit were removed from the church today, 90 percent of the work would continue. Sadly, the only thing holding many churches together today is social activity, not the activity of the Spirit. It's been said that if Christianity today (as a whole) were a poison, it would harm no one, and if it were a medicine, it would cure no one. As incredible as this sounds, it may be true, at least to some degree-when we fail to embrace the Spirit's power, we become powerless.
This excerpt was taken from What Works for Young Adults-Solid Choices In Unstable Times, © 2007 by El Paseo Publications (www.elpaseopublications.com); Shaneidleman@roadrunner.com.