Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil, the commander of the powers of the unseen world. He’s the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.
All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature.
Ephesians 2:1-3
What amazing power set you free from Satan, the deceiver of the world, the so-called god of this age, who has blinded the minds of unbelievers? The Word of God, made alive by the Holy Spirit, is what revealed the truth to you and overpowered Satan, forcing him to set you free from his prison of deception.
Ephesians 5:5-6
Jesus answered, “I speak an eternal truth. Unless you are born of water and the Spirit, you will never enter God’s kingdom. For the natural realm only gives birth to things that are natural. But the spiritual realm gives birth to spiritual life.” Spiritual life comes from water, which here means the Word of God, and the Spirit.
It’s always the two working together to produce life. Any change that happens in your life is going to happen because of the Word of God and the Spirit. They work together in tandem. We leave Satan’s kingdom and enter God’s when we’re born again.
“For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.”
Colossians 1:13-14
God adopts us as sons and daughters.
Romans 8:15
“You received God’s Spirit when He adopted you as His own children. Now we call Him, ‘Abba, Father.’”
So the Spirit of God lives in us. When we read the Word of God, the Holy Spirit speaks to us about the Word. He reveals things in the Word. He brings the Word of God to life in us.