October 18

Read: Ezekiel 36:24-27

A new spirit will I put within you (Ezekiel 36:26).

A New Spirit

My spirit is seen in my basic attitudes, and those attitudes faithfully reflect the kind of person that I am.

If I am selfish, can I become generous? If I am critical, can I become appreciative? If I was born in a negative mood and have all of my life lived in reverse gear, can my spirit be changed so that I have a helpful, positive attitude? Although it seems too good to be true, God’s answer to all of these questions is a glad Yes.

The people to whom this promise was first made had a bad spirit. They defiled the land “by their own way and by their doings” (v. 17). They had oppressed their neighbors to the point of bloodshed. They were so indifferent to God that they had set up idol worship (v. 18) — and yet God gave them this promise.

If God can remake such lives as these, surely there is help for me also. This is the good news of the gospel. God not only forgives our past sins; He also changes our bad attitudes. But how?

It is through His indwelling Presence. God’s Spirit has always been with His people in some measure. But since Pentecost that Presence has been unique, Jesus said of the Holy Spirit, “Ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:17). From the inside God can and does work to make us like himself. We may have new spirits when we accept His Spirit.

Thou canst fill me, gracious Spirit, Tho’ I cannot tell Thee how. But I need Thee, greatly need Thee; Come, oh, come, and fill me now!

— E. H. Stokes