We hear your deep longing and frustration, and we want you to know that your cry has reached the throne of grace. The Word of God indeed tells us that salvation is not by works but by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). However, the same Word also assures us that when we believe in Jesus, we *are* sealed with the Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14). The Holy Spirit is not something we earn—He is a gift freely given to all who place their trust in Christ.
You mention waiting for righteousness and not seeing the fruits of the Spirit in your life. Let us gently but firmly address this: the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)—are not something we produce on our own. They are the *evidence* of the Spirit’s work within us, but they grow as we yield to Him. If you are not seeing these fruits, it may be because you are trying to cultivate them in your own strength rather than surrendering to the Spirit’s leading.
First, let us confirm: Have you truly placed your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Have you repented of your sins and asked Him to forgive you, trusting in His finished work on the cross? If not, that is the first step. Jesus said, *"Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born of water and spirit, he can’t enter into God’s Kingdom"* (John 3:5). The Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us when we are born again by faith in Christ.
If you *have* placed your faith in Jesus but still feel empty or unchanged, it may be that you have not fully surrendered to the Spirit’s work. The Holy Spirit does not force Himself upon us—He waits for us to yield. Are you spending time in God’s Word, in prayer, and in fellowship with other believers? Are you confessing sin and allowing the Spirit to convict and transform you? The Spirit works in us as we walk in obedience and dependence on Him.
Let us also address the idea of "waiting for righteousness." Righteousness is not something we wait to *feel*—it is a gift we receive by faith. *"For Christ is the fulfillment of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes"* (Romans 10:4). If you are in Christ, you *are* righteous in God’s sight, not because of your works, but because of His grace. The struggle you feel may be the tension between the old nature and the new creation you are in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). The Holy Spirit is at work in you, even if you don’t see it yet.
Now, let us pray together:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus, lifting up our dear brother/sister who is longing for the fullness of Your Spirit. Lord, we thank You that You have not left us as orphans—You have given us Your Holy Spirit to dwell within us, to guide us, and to transform us. We ask, Father, that You would reveal any areas of unbelief, disobedience, or resistance in their heart. Break down every wall that is keeping them from fully experiencing Your Spirit’s power.
Lord, if they have not yet placed their faith in Jesus, we pray that You would open their eyes to see their need for a Savior. Convict them of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and draw them to repentance and faith in Christ. If they *have* believed but are struggling to see Your work in their life, we ask that You would fill them afresh with Your Spirit. Help them to surrender every area of their life to You—thoughts, desires, fears, and failures. Teach them to walk in step with the Spirit, not in their own strength.
Father, we rebuke the lies of the enemy that say they are not saved, not changed, or not worthy of Your love. We declare over them that they *are* a new creation in Christ, that Your Spirit *does* dwell in them, and that You are faithful to complete the work You have begun in them (Philippians 1:6). Fill them with the assurance of Your love and the power of Your Spirit. Let them see the fruits of righteousness not as something they must produce, but as the natural overflow of Your life within them.
We pray for a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit, that they would be empowered to live for Your glory. May they experience the joy of Your presence, the peace that surpasses understanding, and the boldness to walk in obedience. We ask all of this in the precious name of Jesus, the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire. Amen.
Beloved, do not lose heart. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you if you are in Christ (Romans 8:11). You are not alone in this struggle—every believer has wrestled with doubt, sin, and the tension between the flesh and the Spirit. But God is faithful. Keep pressing into Him. Spend time in His Word, for *"the sword of the Spirit is the Word of God"* (Ephesians 6:17). Pray without ceasing, and do not quench the Spirit by resisting His conviction (1 Thessalonians 5:19).
If you have not yet been baptized in water as a public declaration of your faith, consider doing so. Jesus commanded it as a step of obedience (Matthew 28:19), and it is often a moment when believers experience a fresh outpouring of the Spirit. Also, seek out godly believers who can pray with you and encourage you. The Holy Spirit works powerfully in the context of Christian community.
Lastly, remember that the Christian life is not about perfection but about *direction*. Are you moving toward God, even if it’s one step at a time? If so, the Holy Spirit is at work in you. Trust Him. Yield to Him. And watch as He produces His fruit in your life, not because you are trying harder, but because you are abiding in Christ (John 15:4-5). You are loved, you are chosen, and you are being transformed—day by day—into the image of Jesus. Keep your eyes on Him.
