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Every Christian desires to grow in holiness, overcome sin, and become more like Christ. Yet Scripture makes clear that this growth is not produced through human strength alone. Sanctification is the supernatural work of God through the Holy Spirit.
In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains the Holy Spirit’s essential role in the Christian life. The Spirit indwells every believer, convicts us of sin, illuminates God’s Word, empowers obedience, and continually directs our attention to Jesus Christ.
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Romans 8 teaches that believers put sin to death by the Spirit. Galatians 5 calls Christians to walk by the Spirit rather than gratify the desires of the flesh. Spiritual growth is not merely behavior modification. Through the Spirit’s work, God changes our desires and increasingly conforms us to the image of His Son.
In This Episode
- Every Christian is indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
- The Spirit transforms believers from the inside out.
- Believers put sin to death through the Spirit’s power.
- The Spirit uses God’s Word to grow Christians in holiness.
- True sanctification continually directs believers to Christ.
The Christian life is not a self-improvement project. It is a Spirit-empowered journey of transformation in which believers are being shaped more and more into the likeness of Jesus Christ.
Scripture References: Romans 8:13–14; Galatians 5:16–25; John 16:13–14.
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Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah, and lives in beautiful Southern Oregon. He is a writer, editor, and speaker who loves Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology.
Dave serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries and the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine. He is the Host and Producer of the Equipping You in Grace Podcast and a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word.
He is the author of The War of Worldviews: Truth, Lies, and the Battle for the Christian Mind (Theology for Life, 2026), Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age and The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021).
You can connect with Dave on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, or subscribe to his newsletter.
When he is not engaged in ministry work, Dave enjoys spending time with his wife, going to movies, sharing a meal at a favorite restaurant, or playing a round of golf with friends. He is also a voracious reader, particularly of Reformed theology and the Puritans, and is often found working through a stack of new books from a wide range of Christian publishers.
Dave earned his M.A.R. and M.Div. from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
