How can I get the Holy Spirit? I gave my life to Jesus two years ago, but I know I need the Spirit's power also, because I have a hard time fighting temptation. — G.H.

One of the most important lessons God wants to teach us is that we can't live the way He wants us to in our own strength. Instead, we need God's strength to live as we should—and that's one reason why He gave us the Holy Spirit. The Bible says, "The Spirit helps us in our weakness" (Romans 8:26).

But the Bible tells us another important truth: When we come to Christ, God Himself comes to live within us by His Spirit. In fact, we can't even come to Christ unless the Spirit has already been at work in our hearts, convicting us of sin and convincing us of the truth of the Gospel. Jesus put it this way: "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him" (John 6:44). The Holy Spirit also gives us spiritual rebirth (see John 3:5).

In other words, God has already given you the Holy Spirit, who now lives in you and in every believer in Christ. But that doesn't mean He is in control of your life! To be filled with the Spirit means to be controlled by Him—and that's the problem many believers have. They want to run their own lives, or else they think they must do everything in their own strength. But this is wrong. Instead, we need to submit ourselves every day to the Spirit's control.

Ask God to help you turn your whole life over to Jesus Christ. Then ask Him to help you grow in your faith through prayer, the Bible and fellowship with other believers. When you do, the Holy Spirit will help you live the way you should.