Get this from ChatGPT: “ [The Apostle] Paul's exhortation for believers to live by the Spirit implies that it is not an automatic outcome of the transformation that occurs at the moment of rebirth. While believers receive the Holy Spirit at the time of their conversion, the process of aligning their lives with the leading and guidance of the Spirit requires ongoing commitment, surrender, and intentional choices.
Living by the Spirit involves actively yielding to the Spirit's influence, allowing Him to shape one's thoughts, attitudes, and actions. It requires a continual reliance on God's grace, seeking His wisdom, and submitting to His will. It is a daily decision to walk in obedience to God, empowered by the Spirit's presence and guidance.
Paul's exhortations in his letters highlight the importance of believers actively engaging with the Spirit and intentionally pursuing a life that reflects the character and teachings of Christ. It involves cultivating spiritual disciplines, such as prayer, studying Scripture, fellowship with other believers, and pursuing a lifestyle of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
While the transformation of rebirth provides believers with the presence of the Holy Spirit, it is the ongoing cooperation and participation with the Spirit that allows believers to live in alignment with God's purposes. It is an ongoing process of growth, maturity, and spiritual development in the life of a believer.
The rebound effect, or the tendency for forbidden desires to become more pronounced when they are suppressed, can affect both believers and unbelievers alike. It is a psychological phenomenon that can be observed in various contexts and does not depend on one's spiritual state.
In the context of the rebound effect, it is important to note that it primarily pertains to the human psychological response to restriction or suppression. It can occur in individuals who are aware of societal or personal norms, rules, or restrictions, regardless of their spiritual beliefs or state of being born again.
While the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in believers' lives can bring about increased self-control and a renewed mindset, believers are not immune to the psychological effects or struggles with desires and temptations. Christians still grapple with the tension between their new spiritual nature and the lingering effects of their old sinful nature.
Believers, like everyone else, can experience the rebound effect if they attempt to suppress or deny certain desires or thoughts. However, with the presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit, believers have the capacity to resist and overcome such temptations. They can rely on the Spirit's power to help them navigate and make choices that align with God's will.
In summary, while the rebound effect can affect both believers and unbelievers, believers have the advantage of the indwelling Holy Spirit, who empowers them to overcome the power of sin and resist temptations. The transformative work of the Spirit can enhance believers' ability to exercise self-control and live in alignment with God's principles.
[Explaing Romans chapter 7] When Paul uses the phrase "when we were in the realm of the flesh," he implies that he and his audience have transitioned out of that state. Throughout the letter to the Romans, Paul emphasizes the transformative power of the Gospel and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Paul explains that through faith in Christ, believers are no longer under the dominion of the flesh but have been liberated from its control. They have been born again and have received the Holy Spirit, who empowers them to live a new life characterized by righteousness and obedience to God.
By using the past tense "when we were," Paul is highlighting the contrast between their former state of being controlled by the flesh and their present state of being governed by the Spirit. He is emphasizing the change that has taken place in their lives through their relationship with Christ.
Paul's message is one of hope and encouragement, as he assures his audience that they are no longer condemned by their past sins and failures. Through their union with Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit, they have been set free and now have the capacity to live according to God's purposes.“
