There can be a lot of mystery about what it means for Jesus to live in our hearts. Especially when you attempt to explain this to a young child.   When my daughter Leah was a young girl, she told us that not only did Jesus live in her heart, but Spider-Man did as well.  In her mind, if Jesus can live in your heart, why not accept all your other heroes into your heart as well.  So, what does this verse mean when it says the Spirit lives in you? And more importantly, what type of life will you live when the Spirit is within you?

The presence of God’s Spirit in our life is a foundation of the Christian experience. Many people believe that every day a Christian must decide whether they will live by the spirit or flesh.  But that is not what Paul, the author of Romans, is saying in this passage.  Instead, he is saying when you decide to follow Christ as your Lord and Savior, then the Spirit lives inside of you for eternity.  It is impossible for the Spirit to not live within a Christian.  However, those who have never made a commitment to Christ, live in the flesh.  As we apply this truth to our lives, it means that our identity is in God, and we seek to please Him with how we live. We have been adopted by God and considered His children.  We are not equal to God or Jesus, as some false religions would state, but we are considered heirs who share in the glory of God. 

As children of God, we do not base our identity on things of the flesh.  Please do not allow the world to convince you that following natural temptations must be from God.  Others will say that God would want me to be happy, therefore it must be right or justified based on my happiness.  Galatians 5:24-25 states, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Therefore, as a follower of Christ, remember your identity as you live out your faith in the world. Continue to seek God’s will in all things!

Read Romans 8:1-17