On Pentecost Sunday, the message was clear: we need the Holy Spirit. But what if we’ve misunderstood how He works? Too often in modern Christianity, we say the Spirit is our guide—then treat the Bible like the only real teacher. This post challenges that mindset. If the Holy Spirit truly dwells within us, then He’s not an optional supplement to Scripture—He is the Source. In this article, we’ll explore what it means to surrender control, trust the Spirit’s voice, and walk in daily partnership with God—not through performance, but through presence.
I just left church, and the message was on exactly what you’d expect today—the power of the Holy Spirit. The pastor (one of the assistant leaders filling in) preached about how the Spirit is our comforter, our teacher, our counselor. All beautiful truths. And yet… something didn’t sit right.
There was this statement—this insistence—that “you have to read your Bible to know anything.” And I couldn’t just nod along.
Here’s the thing—I don’t agree. Not with that part.
If the Holy Spirit is truly who the Word says He is—our Teacher, our Comforter, our Counselor, and the One who brings all things to our remembrance—then our access to divine truth doesn’t hinge on our Bible-reading discipline. It hinges on our surrender.
“But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name… He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.”
Don’t get me wrong—Scripture is powerful. But the New Testament? It’s letters. Letters written by Spirit-filled men to churches, helping them discern how to live and walk by the Spirit. Those letters confirm, correct, and reveal what the Spirit is already teaching within us.
It’s not “Scripture first, Spirit second.” It’s the Spirit first—and Scripture as confirmation.
“This is the covenant that I will make… I will imprint My laws upon their minds [even upon their innermost thoughts and understanding], and engrave them upon their hearts.”
You Can’t Preach the Spirit and Then Chain Him to a book.
Here’s where the disconnect shows up.
You can’t preach on the need for the Holy Spirit—how He comforts, teaches, and leads—and then tell people they mustread the Bible to know anything about God. That kind of message sends mixed signals. It sounds like: “Yes, the Spirit is your guide… but only if you follow this manual first.”
That’s not how it works.
If the Spirit is truly who Jesus said He is—our Teacher, Counselor, and Reminder of all truth—then we either trust Him to do that, or we don’t.
“But the Helper… will teach you all things and will help you remember everything that I have told you.”
Of course, Scripture is valuable. It gives insight into how the Spirit worked through others. It helps us verify what we’re hearing or sensing. It guards us from deception and anchors us in truth. But it should never be elevated above the Spirit Himself.
When we say the Spirit teaches, we have to mean it. That means believing He still teaches. He still speaks. He still leads. And we can actually trust Him to do it.
“When He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth [full and complete truth].”
What we now call the Bible was written by men who walked with the Spirit. They weren’t handing out scrolls to explain God—they were living by faith and writing down what the Spirit was doing in real time.
Paul’s letters weren’t rulebooks. They were relational corrections and encouragements to help churches stay aligned with the truth the Spirit was already revealing. Scripture is a powerful tool—but it’s not a substitute for surrender.
“All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction… so that the man of God may be complete and proficient.”
So yes, read the Word. Study it. Learn from it. But don’t put it in a place it was never meant to hold. Let the Spirit be the one who brings it to life in you.
We’re not responsible for making the Spirit move. We’re responsible for making room.
What does that actually mean?
It means we don’t manufacture transformation, revelation, or breakthrough. That’s God’s job. The Holy Spirit is not waiting on us to perform better, get more educated, or “feel” spiritual before He acts. He’s waiting for space. Space in our minds. Space in our hearts. Space in our schedules. Space in our decisions.
Making room is about posture—not performance.
It’s waking up and saying, “Holy Spirit, I trust You to lead me today. Show me what I need to see. Speak what I need to hear. And correct what I’ve misunderstood.”
It’s pausing in the middle of a decision and asking, “What are You saying right now?”
It’s admitting, “I don’t know what to do here—but You do.”
When we make room for God, we’re acknowledging that we don’t need to control every outcome. We don’t need to overthink or overplan or out-perform. We just need to stay open and surrendered—willing to follow, listen, and obey.
That’s the tension: not striving for more of God, but surrendering more of ourselves.
And yes, that’s uncomfortable for people who were raised on religious performance. Especially in churches where everything is about order, structure, and certainty. But the Holy Spirit doesn’t work on our timeline or within our checklist. He moves in surrender. He speaks in stillness. And He teaches when we stop trying to teach ourselves.
So no—our job isn’t to “activate” the Spirit. Our job is to yield. To stop filling every space with noise, fear, plans, or pride. That’s the only way to walk in the Spirit:
Less control, more trust. Less striving, more surrender.
That’s not just a Sunday message. That’s the foundation of real faith.
This breath practice is not about escaping the moment—it’s about entering it with surrender. It helps shift your nervous system out of fear, anxiety, and control, and into the present awareness of God’s presence.
Purpose:
To embody the act of surrender. To physically and spiritually “make room” for the Spirit instead of defaulting to control, striving, or religious performance.
Instructions:
Optional Scripted Focus (can be prayed silently or aloud):
Stay present. Don’t rush. Notice if your body relaxes as you give God access to what you’ve been gripping tightly. This is how we stop striving—and start trusting.
Holy Spirit, I yield to You. I surrender my need for control, for formulas, and for checklists. Write Your truth on my heart. Teach me, guide me, comfort me, and correct me. I trust that You are enough. Amen
Each of the verses below was carefully chosen to anchor this message in the truth of God’s Word. These aren’t just references—they’re confirmations. They remind us of who the Holy Spirit is, how He works, and why surrender isn’t weakness—it’s obedience. If you’re unsure about what it means to be led by the Spirit, start here. Let the Word confirm what the Spirit is already trying to teach you.
Taking time to reflect is one of the most powerful tools for spiritual growth and self-awareness. These journal prompts are designed to help you pause, process, and partner with God in the places He’s refining you. Don’t rush the answers—let the Holy Spirit guide your thoughts. As you write, ask God to reveal what’s beneath the surface and align your heart more fully with His truth and design.
Download the Heart Check Reflection guide for The Spirit IS Enough: Rethinking How We Learn
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Disabled combat veteran turned Kingdom builder. I write to equip others with truth, strategy, and the fire to live boldly for Christ. Every battle has a purpose. Every word here is for the ones who refuse to stay shallow.
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This blog and podcast are a reflection of my journey as a follower of Christ, a disabled combat veteran, and a lifelong seeker of personal growth, faith, and resilience. Through radical honesty and authentic conversations, I share my struggles, victories, and lessons learned in overcoming fear, trust issues, and self-doubt. My mission is to inspire, encourage, and empower others to live with faith, purpose, and intention—embracing challenges, breaking strongholds, and pursuing the life God has called us to live.