Planted by Water

I kind of like ‘How To’ books - those simple, step by step, line upon line, practical guides on aspects of the Christian life. They demystify the spiritual life and show how God’s ways work! But they also have the potential to reduce the Christian life to a kind of ‘3-easy steps’, programmed, simplistic, self-help approach rather than the wonderful richness, fullness (and actually, even the creative messiness) of life in Christ. An overly pragmatic approach can also push out the Holy Spirit!

I was glad to read again from Arthur Wallis’ book, Pray in the Spirit, how the real answer to how? in the Christian life is - the Holy Spirit:

To our every ‘How?’ heaven gives the same answer as Gabriel gave to Mary - ‘The Holy Spirit.’ Is it a question of how we may know the will of God in our lives? ‘All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.’ Are we concerned to know the secret of victory over sin? ‘The law of the Spirit of life in Christ has set me free from the law of sin and death.’ Have we difficulty in understanding the Scriptures? ‘The Holy Spirit will teach you all things.’..Is it the problem of how to witness effectively for the Lord? ‘You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses.’

Thank God that the Christian life is not about self-help, but Spirit-helped!