It is critical for each of us to maintain focus lest we get off our designated path. I must maintain focus on my calling and not allow my mind to expand my actions beyond my calling. This is one aspect of submitting to The Holy Spirit.
Each of us has an assignment. I must keep my focus in walking it out and not allow the world to redirect me to areas that “tweak” my interests or gifting. For example, I have an orientation as a problem solver but I am not intended to solve every problem that comes my way. I should submit to The Holy Spirit and only deal with problems that I am meant to solve. I must not allow myself to focus on problems meant to be solved by someone else. Some of those problems are meant to correct that person and must be dealt with by that person.
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Romans chapter 8:
5 Those who are motivated by the flesh only pursue what benefits themselves. But those who live by the impulses of the Holy Spirit are motivated to pursue spiritual realities. 6 For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set controlled by the Spirit finds life and peace.
It takes pressure off when we are not busy trying to fix everyone’s problem “in the flesh”. If I am not directed to deal with an issue, I must not take it upon myself to accept responsibility and accountability for it. There are those who would love to get you to take on their problems when in fact they should be taking action themselves. I would only delay the true solution if I intervened.
Jesus spoke in John chapter 5:
19 So Jesus said, “I speak to you timeless Truth. The Son is not able to do anything from Himself or through My own initiative. I only do the works that I see THE FATHER doing, for the Son does the same works as HIS FATHER.”
I must cease those works originating out of my own initiative. This can be difficult to do when you have been required in the past to take the initiative in your job and/or home life. Jesus saw plenty of situations needing correction yet He only responded to those people and situations specifically directed by FATHER.
20 “Because the Father Loves HIS Son so much, HE always reveals to Me everything that HE is about to do. And you will all be amazed when HE shows Me even greater works than what you’ve seen so far! 21 For just like THE FATHER has power to raise the dead, the Son will raise the dead and give life to whomever He wants.”
FATHER wants us to properly use HIS power and authority thus we must be totally sensitive to The Holy Spirit in all situations. Every situation we encounter has a purpose and only FATHER knows the proper handling of each situation. If we take our own initiative, we will impede the resolution. The perfect example of this occurring is found in Matthew chapter 16:
21 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.
22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”
23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of GOD, but the things of men.”
We must not allow ourselves to stray from the Perfect Will of FATHER thus we should consistently purpose to be “mindful of the things of GOD” and only do those things we are called to accomplish, even if they seem inconvenient.