Listen and Follow
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…” — Acts 1:8
What is your gospel? Not simply, “What gospel do I say I believe?” but: What gospel is my life revealing?
Jesus taught that we will serve what we value most (Matthew 6:24). Paul then shows us the battle: the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh (Galatians 5:16–17).
So, there is a battle over who will govern the house.
THE STRONGER ONE HAS COME
In Luke 11, Jesus describes a strong man guarding his house. In the immediate context, the strong man pictures Satan’s oppressive rule. But then Jesus says: “When someone stronger attacks and overpowers him…” — Luke 11:22. Jesus is the Stronger One. He was announcing that the Kingdom of God had arrived and that Satan’s authority could not withstand Him.
But notice what Jesus says afterward. A house can be swept clean and put in order and still remain vulnerable if it remains empty. That’s important. The gospel isn’t just about getting something bad out of my life. It is about Jesus becoming Lord of my life. Repentance sweeps the house clean. Religion can make the house look religiously in order. Self-discipline can rearrange the furniture. Behavior modification can make things look better. But only Jesus can rule the house.
THE GOSPEL IS STILL WORKING IN ME
This is where the battle becomes personal. What is governing me when I’m offended, corrected, disappointed, afraid, or don’t get my way? Paul says the evidence becomes visible through our fruit. Is my life producing hatred, jealousy, anger, selfish ambition, division, and envy?
Or is the Spirit producing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? The fruit reveals what I am yielding to. And this is why Jesus concludes the Luke 11 encounter by saying: “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” — Luke 11:28
There it is: Listen and follow. The gospel is still working because Jesus is still speaking, His Spirit is still leading, and Christ is still being formed in us.
REFLECTION
So don’t examine someone else’s house. Let Jesus examine yours. What has been governing me lately? What voice have I been agreeing with? What is Jesus asking me to surrender?
And most importantly: What is the gospel producing in me? When Jesus reveals something, that revelation is grace. Receive it. Repent. Surrender. Listen. Follow.
PRAYER
Jesus, You are the Stronger One. I surrender my house to You. Expose anything within me that is resisting Your rule. Teach me to recognize Your voice, surrender my will, and follow Your Spirit. Don’t just change my behavior—form Yourself in me. May the fruit of my life become evidence that You are alive in me, and Your gospel is still working in me. Your voice leads. Your Spirit supplies. I will listen and follow. In You name Jesus, amen.