Forgetting that we have Him

Forgetting that we have Him is the second way [we can grieve the Spirit]. I think it is an even more common mistake in our churches. If the first mistake is a superiority complex, grieving the Spirit by forgetting that we need him, the second mistake is by forgetting that we have him. I would call this an inferiority complex.

Many Christians feel inadequate and inferior. They say, Well, I am not really very gifted. Look at these people around me—they are gifted. But what can I do? What contribution can I make? Dear reader, this paralyses us. It starts a horrible downward circle of despair, because we feel inferior, so we do not do anything for God, and then this makes us guilty and makes us feel worse; this leads to us feeling even more inferior, which makes us do less and feel more guilty. So you get into a sort of a vortex where you are going down and down into a sense of worthlessness. And there are many Christians in our churches who are not using their gifts for God. They either do not think they have any gifts or they do not think they have the ability to use them.

I have learned from pastoral experience that it is not much good attacking, scolding them, or blaming such people. That only makes the condition worse. You have to encourage them. You need to realise that you have God the Holy Spirit within you. You do. No matter how ungifted you may feel; if you are a Christian, that mighty Holy Spirit is in you. It is he who gives you energy, ability, and life. We need to trust him. It is like riding a bicycle, like jumping off a diving board: the moment comes when you just have to go ahead and do it. It is like a little baby learning to walk. Of course, they do not want to let go; they keep on holding on and they will not let go of the arms or the legs. They want to get down onto their bottom again. Their mother and father get really close to them and hold out their arms until the child has to take the first step.

That is what we have got to do; we have got to trust the Spirit and develop confidence in him. Do not focus on what you think or your weaknesses; focus on his strength. Forget about who you are; remember who he is. I am weak, but he is strong. He loves using weak people. He loves using people who do not feel gifted; he delights in them. It brings great honour to Christ. God has not shaped you to be frustrated; God has designed you to be fulfilled, to be useful, to be happy. God has ministries suited for who you are.

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit by forgetting that you need him. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit by forgetting that you have him. Do not make yourself out to be better than you are, and do not make yourself out to be weaker than you are, for we have God’s Spirit. Whatever gifts he has given to us, we are able to use them.¹

Edward Donnelly