MANAGING YOUR DESTINY, By Dr Charity Segun Odeyemi

Believers in The School Of The Spirit

The Christian life is not sustained by human wisdom or strength; but powered by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Scripture says, “Whoever is born of God does not sin; for His seed remains in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God” (1 John 3:9, KJV), it points to a divine principle: there is a new life within the believer that resists sin and longs for righteousness. The Spirit of God gives life to the spirit of man. This life is nurtured in what can be called the school of the Spirit.

Life in the Spirit

Life in the Spirit means walking and living daily under the direction of the Holy Spirit. Paul exhorts in Galatians 5:25: “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Christianity becomes tough, dry, and dull when believers attempt to live it in the flesh. The Spirit alone makes it possible to live joyfully and victoriously as God intends.

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An example of a believer in the school of the Spirit is Philip the deacon. After the persecution in Jerusalem, he went down to Samaria and preached Christ with great boldness. Scripture notes that the multitudes listened attentively to him because of the signs and wonders God worked through him (Acts 8:5-8). But more importantly, Philip demonstrated a heart that was easy to be led by the Spirit.

In Acts 8:26–29, the angel of the Lord directed Philip to the desert road leading to Gaza, where he encountered the Ethiopian eunuch. The Spirit said, “Go near, and join yourself to this chariot” (v. 29). Philip did not argue, delay, or resist — he obeyed. This sensitivity and obedience to the Spirit allowed him to be the vessel through which the eunuch encountered salvation and the Scriptures were fulfilled.

Philip’s example shows that a believer’s fruitfulness is tied to being led by the Spirit. The Spirit knows where the prepared hearts are, and He guides us into divine appointments we would never orchestrate by ourselves.

Are You Easy to Be Led by the Spirit?

Every believer must honestly ask: Am I easy to be led by the Holy Spirit? Romans 8:14 declares, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” True sonship is proven in yieldedness. When the Spirit nudges, do we obey immediately, or do we hesitate, rationalize, and resist?

Being in the school of the Spirit means learning to surrender daily — allowing God to interrupt our plans, reorder our priorities, and guide us into His perfect will.

Spirit-Controlled Activities

In the school of the Spirit, no activity is to be carried out independently of Him (the Holy Spirit). Whether in preaching, praying, giving, serving, or making decisions, everything must be Spirit-controlled. Jesus Christ Himself modelled this when He said, “The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do” (John 5:19).

When believers neglect this dependence, their efforts may look good outwardly, but they will always lack the power of God. Paul warned in Galatians 3:3: “Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now made perfect by the flesh?”

Believers in the school of the Spirit understand that Christianity is not sustained by human efforts but by divine empowerment. Philip the deacon showed us the fruitfulness of being Spirit-led. To walk in the Spirit requires us to yield, to be teachable, and to let the Spirit guide even the smallest activities of our lives.

The flesh will always resist, but the Spirit leads into life and peace (Romans 8:6). Those who walk in the Spirit will not only overcome sin but will also live as vessels through which God manifests His power and purposes in the earth.

Make it your utmost goal from now to constantly walk and be led by the Holy Spirit in every area of your life.

● Dr Charity Segun Odeyemi is the Lead Pastor, Evergreen Christian Centre Akure, Nigeria.