Human weakness is real. If we were to start acknowledging our human weakness, we would see that we are weak when we fall in temptation to sin. We are weak when we allow circumstance to result in serious anxiety and depression. We are weak when we fear man in the face of opposition. We are simply weak. With all that Christians have before us, we are constantly reminded that we are weak. BUT... How often do we consider that in the real course of the events of our life, the Holy Spirit is strong.
Consider for a moment our battle with the trying circumstances of temptation. As Paul instructs the Thessalonian Christians, he tells them that they need to be holy. 1Thessalonians 4:7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. In our weakness, we might want to say that this is an easy statement for Paul to make. God wants us to be holy in that he wants us to be pure and righteous like Him and to keep away from sinfulness. We might say that God has called us to be something we can never really be. When my sister snatches my toy, it's very hard not to yell at her in anger. When someone beats me to getting the job I wanted, it's very hard not to be despondent. When someone has something I want, it's really difficult not to be jealous. When a tempting advertisement comes on my screen, it's very hard not to click on it. Surely, I need more than just knowing that God has called me to be holy. If we know who God is, that should be enough, but in the very next verse we receive exactly what we need.
1Thessalonians 4:8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. We are told not to disregard God but to remember a most extraordinary gift He has given us. He has given us Himself. He gave us Jesus to pay our sin and bring us to a new life and new reconciled relationship with God. In doing that, Jesus has also given us His Spirit -The Holy Spirit - and he dwells within us. We are to remind ourselves not to disregard God but to remember that He is with us and enables us. His strength makes it possible for us to obey when we are weak.
We should remember that the Holy Spirit helps us to pray (Jude 1:20). He has given us new life (Titus 3:5). He gives us power to live in hope (Romans 15:13). He helps us to endure through trials with joy (1 Thessalonians 1:6). He gives us power not to do the sinful things that our heart tells us we want to do (Galatians 5:16-18). He convicts us of what is sinful and unholy (John 16:8). He helps us to understand God's truth (1 Corinthians 2:12-13). These are just a few glorious works of the Holy Spirit in our lives as we trust in Christ.
If we listen to Paul, we will realize that in our moment of temptation and trial we are not disregarding God when we remind ourselves of His glorious help in our life because He indwells us. We are weak, but he is strong. God is our strength. It's true that when we fall, we have a Savior, but having His Spirit means Christians actually don't have to fall in the first place. The Holy Spirit is not some mystical power that we need to find, He is a Person who is always with us and wants to help us. He empowers us to obey our calling of holiness. Do we trust Him? Trusting Him means obeying God in the moment relying on His strength to get you through.
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
This is the inerrant truth from the word of God. Don't disregard God who gives His Holy Spirit to you! You are weak. He is strong.