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Giving & Receiving

“How to Be in the Spirit”

As a Believer we must know “How to Be in the Spirit” is not an option

 

By Bishop Jerry Pena, God’s anointed servant

What is the issue?

The very first thing a believer must understand is how to be in the Spirit. Without this foundation, Christianity becomes ritual, habit, or religion instead of a living relationship with God. God is Spirit, and everything about Him—His Word, His worship, His voice—can only be rightly experienced in the Spirit.

Many come to church unprepared, engaging in spiritual things with a carnal mindset. They leave unchanged because “the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God… they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). To walk with God, we must learn to rise above the flesh into the Spirit.

 

  1. God Is Spirit

Jesus declared:
“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24)

This means the way to God is not through rituals, fleshly emotions, or outward effort but through the Spirit. Just as a blind man cannot enjoy the beauty of a sunrise, the carnal man cannot enjoy the things of God unless his spiritual eyes are opened.

 

  1. Examples of Those Who Were in the Spirit

John on Patmos

“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet.” (Revelation 1:10)
John received the great revelation of Christ and the future of the Church because he positioned himself in the Spirit. Despite isolation on Patmos, the Spirit connected him to heaven’s throne room.

Lesson: Even in hard places, when you are in the Spirit, heaven is open to you.

Mary, the Mother of Jesus

When the angel brought the impossible news of virgin birth, Mary did not argue in the flesh. She responded, “Be it unto me according to thy word.” (Luke 1:38). She believed the Spirit’s word, and the Word was made flesh through her.

Lesson: Faith in the Spirit’s word unlocks divine miracles.

The Early Church

In Acts 13:2, the believers “ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul…”
Because they were in the Spirit, the early church received clear direction for missions.

Lesson: Corporate worship in the Spirit releases God’s guidance and power.

 

  1. Examples of Those Who Remained in the Flesh

Nicodemus

When Jesus said, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3), Nicodemus responded in the flesh: “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb?” (John 3:4).
Nicodemus heard spiritual truth but processed it through natural reasoning.

Lesson: Fleshly reasoning blinds us to spiritual realities. Only the Spirit gives understanding.

The Samaritan Woman

At first, when Jesus spoke of living water, she replied: “Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?” (John 4:11). She was thinking about physical water. But once Jesus revealed her heart, she shifted and perceived Him as the Messiah.

Lesson: Many begin in the flesh, but when confronted with truth and Spirit, they can transition into spiritual understanding.

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The Disciples Before Pentecost

When Jesus spoke about the kingdom, the disciples asked, “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). They were thinking of political power. Only after being filled with the Spirit at Pentecost did they understand their true mission.

Lesson: Without the Spirit, even followers of Jesus misinterpret His words.

The Pharisees

The Pharisees knew the Scriptures but not the Spirit. They saw Jesus heal the blind and accused Him of using demons (Matthew 12:24). Their minds were full of law and pride but void of Spirit.

Lesson: Head knowledge without the Spirit leads to error and resistance against God.

  1. How to Enter Into the Spirit
  1. Prepare Your Heart – Don’t rush into God’s presence. Quiet your spirit. “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10).
  2. Yield to the Holy Spirit – Pray: “Holy Spirit, I surrender to You. Lead me into truth.”
  3. Focus on Christ – Set your heart on things above (Colossians 3:2).
  4. Pray in the Spirit – Both in tongues and Spirit-led prayers (Ephesians 6:18).
  5. Walk in Obedience – The Spirit is not only for prayer moments but for daily living (Galatians 5:16).
  1. Application
  • Before church, prepare yourself in prayer, not just clothes.
  • Don’t lean on your own understanding when you read the Bible; ask the Holy Spirit to reveal truth.
  • When life confuses you, pause and ask: “Am I seeing this in the flesh, or in the Spirit?”
  • Recognize that spiritual things require spiritual posture—silence, faith, and surrender.

Conclusion

Being in the Spirit is the foundation of Christian living. Those who operated in the Spirit—John, Mary, the early church—saw heaven’s power. Those who stayed in the flesh—Nicodemus, the Pharisees, even the disciples before Pentecost—missed or misunderstood God’s move.

The choice is ours: Will we remain in the flesh, or will we rise daily to live in the Spirit?

Prayer

Father, I thank You for teaching me that You are Spirit, and I must walk with You in the Spirit. Deliver me from the blindness of the flesh, like Nicodemus who could not see the truth. Help me to be like John, who was in the Spirit and saw Your glory. Teach me to prepare my heart daily, to yield to the Holy Ghost, and to see life through Your eyes. I choose to live in the Spirit, not in the flesh, that I may please You and walk in power. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

✨ Amen!

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20

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