Two Choices

Two Choices

Acts 7:51-53 tells the conclusion of Stephen's recital of Jewish history to the Sanhedrin (right before Stephen's stoning).  Luke tells us that Stephen, talking about the actions of the religious leaders, says, "You are always actively resisting the Spirit..."  A few verses down further, after the Sanhedrin become extremely angry at Stephen and call for his death, Luke gives us a bit of insight to Stephen's reaction to the Sanhedrin's out-of-control anger:  "Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit...." (Acts 7:55)

"Full" (in the above quote) comes from the Greek word, "pleres", and means replete, covered over, or, by analogy, complete.  Pleres is derived from "pletho", which indicates to fill, or literally, influence or supply.  Thus my Amplified Bible translates this, "Stephen, full of and controlled by the Holy Spirit".

So there we have the bottom line - two different motivations that can send our minutes, our days, our life in totally different directions.  The question:  This minute, am I actively resisting the Holy Spirit's whisper in my life?  Or am I full of and controlled by the Holy Spirit?   

What are we "full of and controlled by?  Our own comforts and desires?  Our ambitions?  Our fears or worries?  Our pride?  Our past?  Our unforgiveness or bitterness?  I'm afraid that with so many of my minutes, I "actively resist the Spirit", allowing something or someone other than the Holy Spirit to fully control me. 

Lord, thank you for forgiving our not listening to You, over and over, as we make decisions, say words, allow  thoughts, act and react, in ways counter to what Your still, small voice is telling us to do.  We ask today for overcoming power over the pull of self, Satan, the world.  Teach us to be constantly controlled by the Holy Spirit - that we may bring joy...to You, to ourselves, to those around us.