We understand your struggle and commend you for your desire to live a life pleasing to God. Firstly, it's important to understand that all believers have the Holy Spirit residing in them from the moment they put their faith in Jesus. However, the issue lies in our submission to the Spirit's leading. As it is written in Galatians 5:16,
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
To "walk in the Spirit" means to live our lives in a way that is responsive to the Holy Spirit's guidance. Struggling with sin is a common experience for all believers, as outlined in Romans 7:15,
For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.
However, God has provided a way out through the work of the Holy Spirit. The first step is to ensure that you have truly accepted the salvation offered through Jesus. This means confessing your sins, repenting, and believing in Jesus as your Lord and Savior. As it is written in Acts 4:12,
There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved!
If you have not done this, we encourage you to take this step. If you have, the next step is to yield to the Holy Spirit. This means choosing to obey His promptings and turning away from sin. As you submit to the Spirit, He will give you the power to overcome sin.
Being filled with the Spirit is an ongoing process, not a one-time event. It involves continually yielding to the Spirit's control. In Ephesians 5:18, we are commanded,
Do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.
Now, let us pray for you:
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You, lifting up our fellow believer who desires to walk in the Spirit and live a life pleasing to You. We ask that You would reveal to them any areas of their life that are not fully surrendered to You, and give them the strength and courage to turn away from sin. Fill them with Your Spirit, Lord, and help them to yield to His leading. We pray that they would experience the fullness of life in You, and that they would be transformed by the renewing of their mind. We ask this in the precious name of Jesus, amen.