John 16:8 tells us that the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin. "And when He comes, He will convict and convince the world and bring demonstration to it about sin and about righteousness (uprightness of heart and right standing with God) and about judgment".
If the Holy Spirit is in you, it shouldn't surprise you that your prodigal may become uncomfortable in your presence. You may be accused of being judgmental without saying a word. Sometimes they are both drawn to you and repelled at the same time.
The Holy Spirit in you beckons to those in darkness, but the sin in their souls can simultaneously pull them away if they are not at the point of repentance.
Know that darkness tries to flee in the presence of light, but we must remember "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world". (John 4:4)
I met Becky in small group a few years ago.
Her own daughter, Lilly had accepted Jesus as a child but was participating in all sorts of deviant behaviors including drugs and crime as a young adult.
Despite the obvious distress this placed on the family, Becky remained committed to walking with Jesus.
She played worship music during the day, prayed aloud over her family and home and never gave up hope that Jesus would lead her prodigal home.
Lilly's visits were far between, and when she did come home, she rarely stayed long.
As a believer, the Holy Spirit still lived in Lilly even though she had given herself over to the enemy.
Each time she ventured home, she found herself in God's very presence, and the Holy Spirit leapt inside her.
But, because of the way she was living her life, feeling the Holy Spirit within her made her uncomfortable because she wasn't ready to deal with her sin.
Eventually, she landed herself in jail where she rededicated herself to the Lord. Lilly explained to her mom that while living in sin, each time she walked through the front door, she was under conviction. She could literally feel the spiritual battle roaring within her and it made her physically uncomfortable.
Once she gave her life back to the Lord, she found grace and forgiveness waiting for her both at the cross and in her family.
If your child gave his or life to the Lord many years ago but is now walking the broken road, take courage and believe that God still dwells within this precious lost soul.
Continue to pray that the prodigal would feel the Lord's presence within them, and that God would clearly speak to them, capturing them with love and mercy.
Nothing is too great for our God and He promises us that those with eternal life will never perish. We must continue to intercede for our loved one but the work of the Spirit belongs to God.
Jesus said, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one.
" (John 10:27-29)
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