Spirit and Power 

    “And he will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children…”  
– Luke 1:17 (NKJV) 

The Kingdom of God operates in both the nature of the Spirit and the demonstration of power. Scripture often presents these two together, as in the prophecy about John the Baptist mentioned in Malachi 4:5-6, which was confirmed in our memory verse above – “he would come in both the spirit and power of Elijah”. Yet these two are not the same. The Spirit refers to the character, lifestyle, and values of God at work in a person, while power refers to the supernatural ability to perform God’s will in visible and tangible ways. A believer must walk in both! Focusing on one while neglecting the other creates imbalance. 

Some are deeply rooted in the fruit of the Spirit (i.e. love, patience, kindness, gentleness), but shy away from the gifts and power of the Spirit. Others are quick to seek signs, wonders, and miracles but overlook the gradual transformative work of Christ in their character. Jesus modeled a perfect balance of both. He was full of compassion yet unafraid to speak the truth to authority. He healed the sick but also washed His disciples’ feet. 

When the disciples in Luke 9 wanted to call down fire on a Samaritan village, they demonstrated a desire for power without the grounding of the Spirit’s nature. Jesus rebuked them, reminding them of the Spirit they were of – a Spirit that saves, not destroys. This shows that power without nature can become reckless and even dangerous.

The Spirit shapes your heart; power makes your faith effective—walk in both.

On the other hand, nature without power can leave a believer ineffective in advancing God’s Kingdom. Imagine John the Baptist’s boldness, his purity of lifestyle, and his fearless preaching, yet because he did not fully embrace the power dimension of his ordination, he left an opening for misunderstanding that affected an entire generation’s view of the Messiah. His nature was impeccable, but his lack of full awareness of the power he carried allowed the enemy to operate unchallenged in certain areas. 

The Spirit and power are meant to work together. While the Spirit keeps your power pure; power makes your nature effective in breaking yokes and advancing God’s purposes. A balanced believer loves deeply and acts boldly. They carry the authority to cast out demons but also the humility to serve quietly. They are as comfortable praying for the sick as they are forgiving those who wrong them. 

Walking in balance requires intentional cultivation. You must allow the Spirit to shape your heart daily through obedience, repentance, and fellowship with God; while also stepping out in faith to exercise the gifts and authority He has entrusted to you. Neither aspect is optional. To have one without the other is to live with only half the Kingdom reality you were meant to embody. 

God never intended for you to choose between being a person of character and a person of power. You are called to be both. The Spirit forms Christ in you, and power makes Christ known through you. When these two operate together, the Kingdom is advanced, God is glorified, and the enemy is pushed back. Live in such a way that your heart and your hands are equally available for the Master’s use. 

Song 

There is Power in the Name of Jesus to Break Every Chain 

By Tasha Cobbs 

Prayer – Lord, teach me to walk in balance. Form in me the nature of Christ so that I reflect His love, humility, and holiness. Help me to boldly exercise the power You have given me to heal, deliver, and set captives free. May my life be a perfect blend of the Spirit’s fruit and the Spirit’s power, so that in all I do, You are glorified. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

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Bible in 1 year: Isaiah 47-49; 1 Thessalonians 4