Yielding is something we do, but something we can’t do without the power of the Holy Spirit working in us.

Reon - I’m more talking about how that power “works itself through” to be available to us as we do God’s will. I agree that “doing” is not a simple thing, but it is a simple concept and like keeping things uncomplicated. And, as much as I’m trying not to, my brain keeps back to that Nike slogan - “Just Do It”. I don’t want to analyze what that says about me…

Rong - I think we often forget that being Christians is not only about “doing” but is also about “becoming”. Your comment made me remember that we are becoming new creatures with a new nature from which to act out of. So we’re not necessarily “stepping aside” to let God flow through us. It’s more like we’re acting out of our new natures - “putting on the new man” as Lynn would say.

Rey - My only pick here is that yielding still seems to be an act of the will. My brain also hiccuped a little when I saw the word “physics” so I may not be totally getting what you’re saying here. I do appreciate the ‘vette example. I think all kinds of things get labeled as “of the Spirit” that are really just us looking for a way justify our desires. (That was left turn at Albuquerque, right?)

Taken all together, it seems that I may be pressing the “yielding” language a little too far. Although I have heard people describe almost an “out of body” experience as they tell of God working through them, this does not seem to be the norm. But it still feels like they mean more than just “doing”. But whatever… for me, keeping it more focused on how Christ is changing me and my natural wants a desires is a much safer place to be.

Jenn actually had some good thoughts on this which were inspired by Deuteronomy, of all things. Maybe she’ll feel like sharing them soon.

Be that as it may I don’t think the statement is completely accurate to our actual Christian experience (I know, I’m gonna be called a Heretic). I find that that sort of statement is usually a justification for some internal conviction that came about through various sources (be it some tradition, some emotion, some real life experience or past experiences). So I may be wanting to buy a corvette and I’m praying about it claiming the promises of Christ who says to ask anything in His name, and I’m looking at prices and talking to dealers but I’m not getting a corvette. I’ve noticed in the past that when I stop trying so hard “doors are opened” and I’m “led by the Spirit” to what is good and proper. So I stop calling up dealers and two weeks later the Corvette Dealership calls me up and says “We’re reducing our prices for you by 25%” I’ve yielded to the Spirit” and “the door has opened” and I now buy the Vette.

I don’t think I can honestly look at that example (the one I just wrote) and see that the Spirit was even involved in the situation (in so far as opening doors or what not) but loads of Christians do this sort of thing justifying their actions with that lingo.

Um, I think I went off topic somewhere by Albuquerque.

The question then becomes - isn’t yielding just another form of self-effort? And if not then how would you classify it?

If I’m following what you’re asking then I’d have to answer in the affirmative. But I think you’re looking at the wrong question.

I may be totally off base with this but I believe the question that you needs asking is whether the action you wind up performing is being taken by the old Brian or by the new man in Christ? Are you acting out of faith or out of personal desires?

Is this what you’re asking about?

The Christian life does require effort from somewhere. It takes effort to say no to sin and turn away from it. That would be a form of yielding to the Spirit. But the NT tends to speak of it as a putting off and a putting on — put off the old man, and put on Jesus Christ. It is a command we need to obey, and obedience means we are going to exert some kind of effort and draw on some kind of strength.

These questions always tie my brain in knots.