Have you studied the Bible subject of the Holy Spirit? Wondered how it applies to you today? If not, study this workshop lesson written and taught by Lonnie Cruse at a Women's Enrichment weekend in Nashville, spring 2005.
Blessed Assurance,
Lord I Want To Be Sure!
Topic Scripture: Romans 8:16 "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God."
In a reaction to the false teachers in our world today who teach that the miracles the apostles performed still exist, and that these false teachers actually possess those miraculous powers, there are other Bible students who have totally leaned in the opposite direction, teaching that the Holy Spirit does nothing for us today apart from the word. I believe that a careful study of God's word will show us what the Holy Spirit actually does for us today and what our relationship with Him should be. If you look carefully at the lists in this lesson, you will see that there are many things the Holy Spirit still does for us today that are not miraculous, but that are also not done for us simply through the word.
FIRST: Let's take a look at Who the Holy Spirit is:
1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven; the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. (emphasis mine) Quote #1
*Creator: The Holy Spirit is an equal part of the Godhead. He participated in the creation of the universe, and brought order to it. Genesis 1:2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Job 33:4 The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
*Revealer: He revealed the word so that all who wish to, can find salvation, He guides us into all truth, He is the source of spiritual life. John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
*Highlighter: He spotlights God and Christ, not calling as much attention to Himself. However we should not ignore the Holy Spirit's importance in our lives any more than we would ignore the importance of God or Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 3:7-9 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you will hear His voice,(8)Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness, (9)Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, And saw My works forty years.
*Intercessor: He takes our requests and appeals before the Godhead, even those we can not articulate for ourselves. Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Jude 1:20-21 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, (21) keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (The Godhead working together.) Quote #2
*Strengthener: He strengthens us through the words He has preserved, and by studying them we find the courage to carry on. Acts 15:32 Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words. Ephesians 3:16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, Colossians 1:11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;
*Comforter: He still comforts us today in good and bad times. Romans 15:4-5 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.(5) Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus,
*Reprover: He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. 1 Corinthians 2:13 These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
*Sealer: He sets us apart as God's children. Ephesians 1:13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, Titus 3:5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, (Once we become Christians, God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit do not leave us defenseless, but endeavor to keep us faithful, through love and the word.)
*Dweller: He dwells with us along with God and Christ. 1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 2 Timothy 1:14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. (How do we know the Holy Spirit dwells within us? Here is one way.) Quote #3
*Giver: He gives us a foretaste of God's blessings and the joy found in Him. 1 Thessalonians 1:6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
What the Holy Spirit does:
*Searches our hearts: Romans 8:27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
1 Corinthians 2:10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.
*Purifies our souls: 1 Peter 1:22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,
1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
*Brings our prayers/requests before the Godhead: Ephesians 2:18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
*Watches over us: Ephesians 3:16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,
*Gives us everything we need for eternal life through God's word: Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
*Preserves God's word: Matthew 24:35 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. 2 Peter 1:21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. (If the Holy Spirit gave us God's word, would it make sense for Him to stand by and let it be destroyed?)
*Sustains and preserves the universe: Is the order that the Holy Spirit brought to our universe in Genesis Chapter 1 still in operation today? Psalm 104:30 You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; And You renew the face of the earth.
What the Holy Spirit does NOT do:
*Does not give us any revelation apart from what He already revealed in the Bible: Jude 1:3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. (He does not whisper in our ear today and give us special advice about which job to take, which home to buy, which spouse to marry, etc. Diligent Bible study, some common sense, and prayer will take care of that.)
*Does not give us any special treatment over other Christians or non-Christians: 1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
What our attitude/behavior should be toward the Holy Spirit:
*Thankful that we have the Holy Spirit, as well as the word: (Are we as thankful in our prayers and in our lives for the Holy Spirit as we are for God and Christ?) Ephesians 6:18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--
*Studious/meditative about the words He gave us, to learn more about God's will: (And more about the Holy Spirit, so we can teach others the correct attitude to have about Him.) 2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
*Willing to let Him do His job as He intercedes for us: Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
What our attitude/behavior should NOT be toward the Holy Spirit:
*Blaspheme by denying Himself or His works: Matthew 12:31 "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. (32) "Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come. (While the Holy Spirit is not performing miraculous signs among us today, such as raising the dead, we must not totally negate the things that He does do for us, the things listed above.)
*Lie to Him by lying to others: Acts 5:3-4 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? (4)"While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God."
*Resist by refusing to obey: Acts 7:51 "You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.
*Grieve by sinning: Isaiah 63:10 But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit; So He turned Himself against them as an enemy, And He fought against them. Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
*Despise by not honoring Him or His words: Hebrews 10:29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
*Quench or hinder the Spirit or His work by refusing to learn and obey: 1 Thessalonians 5:19 Do not quench the Spirit.
*Defile His temple by abusing our bodies with sin: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? (20) For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
How CAN we have the assurance of Romans 8:16 today?
One important way to have the assurance given in Romans 8:16 is to incorporate the FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT into our lives, not just memorize them or teach them to our children as a memory verse. If we want to live in the Spirit and have the Spirit live in us, these fruits must also live in us. Let's look at these important fruits in more detail:
Galatians 5:22-25 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (24) And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (25) If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Love: Is key to our remaining in a right relationship with the Godhead and fellow human beings.
Joy: Is found only in God's love and care for us, and that joy must be shared with others.
Peace: Is found in a right relationship with the Godhead, and in living in peace with others.
Longsuffering: Is willingness to suffer wrong like Christ to save ourselves, and to save others.
Kindness: Is putting others before ourselves, working unselfishly to save them.
Goodness: Is living a healthy life, both physically and mentally; not allowing the world in.
Faithfulness: Is loyalty to God and His laws, and to our responsibilities and promises to others.
Gentleness: Is not becoming demanding or overbearing when dealing with or teaching others.
Self-control: Is denying ourselves, keeping ourselves pure, sinless, in order to do God's will.
To strive to have each of these fruits in our daily lives is to strive to be in obedience to God's will for us, to be a follower of Jesus Christ, and to have the assurance of the Holy Spirit in Romans 8:16. It would be impossible to have these fruits in our lives and live a life of sin.
In closing:
Romans 8:35: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?"
Only one thing can ever separate us from God, Christ, or the Holy Spirit, and that is ourselves. Only we can decide whether or not to remain faithful or to fall away. God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit are not dead, nor are they away on a long trip. They are actively interested in our salvation. God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit will not allow anything to separate us from our salvation, unless we ourselves choose to be separated. Have you chosen the assurance of the Holy Spirit for your life?
Footnote: All scriptures quoted in this lesson were taken from the NKJV
Quotes were taken from "The Finger Of God" A Study of The Holy Spirit by Leon D. Stancliff.
#1 page 205, #2 page 185, #3 page 169
