The Helper • Devotion 2

Healthy Choices
Cathy Story

“Even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:17

Can you guess what one of the greatest tips for living a healthier life is? People will tell you over and over, that it is all about nutrition! While one could attempt to work out daily while consuming a never-ending pile of doughnuts, chances are that person will not actually receive the results that they are hoping for. Having a healthy, well-balanced diet is key to beginning to see any physical and health changes. What we put into our bodies is what will fuel us. Those who train for extensive physical events such as marathons or triathlons often have specific meals and plans for eating that they follow leading up to their event. They understand the importance of having the right fuel in their body for when they need it.

In John chapter 14, Jesus is talking about a helper who would come. John 14:17 states, “You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” After Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, and return to Heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to live in us and be our help. When we believe in our hearts and profess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord, we are filled with His Spirit. The Holy Spirit is meant to be our help, to lead and guide us. In the same way we want and need to make healthy nutrition choices if we want to see improvements to our physical bodies, we need the Holy Spirit inside of us if we want to see improvements to our spiritual selves.

While this may seem like a rather simple thought, we have to realize just how difficult it can be to make healthy choices. There is a fast food industry that makes billions of dollars a year. It is not because they are healthy, but because they are convenient. We should not pretend like we do not choose the fast food options in our spiritual lives at times too. Sometimes the snooze button is just so tempting! We may feel good attending a Gathering on the weekend, enjoy the worship, and like hearing a good sermon; but unfortunately, those good choices are not the same as making sure we have the Holy Spirit in us! I can go to the store and buy all of the healthy things that I want, but if they just sit in the fridge, they are of no benefit to me.

I would challenge you to think about yourself today. Do you have spiritually healthy ingredients at the ready? When was the last time you independently took time to pray, read the Word, and worship the Lord? Maybe you do spiritually healthy things but still are not sure that you actually have the Holy Spirit in you. Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” If you are not sure that you have the Holy Spirit in you, you can confess to the Lord today to be saved, and His Spirit will be in you!