Understanding His Presence and Work
As we look into the importance of the Holy Spirit in our lives, it is crucial to understand the implications of living in this dispensation. My reference point for this exploration is 2 Corinthians 13:14, which states: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.” Here, we see that Jesus emphasizes grace, God emphasizes love, and the Holy Spirit emphasizes communion. Each has a distinct function in our Christian life.
The Holy Spirit’s Role from the Beginning
I remember many years ago, how fascinated I was the first time I saw the Holy Spirit’s involvement with God and Jesus, all the way back in the creation found in Genesis 1. Wow! He was part of the creation. I don’t know why, but to this day, it still gives me chills. He has been involved forever, and still is today, but most believers do not realize this. It’s sad because we are living in the dispensation of the Holy Spirit. Take a minute and read the following scriptures and see how the Holy Spirit worked with the Trinity.
Genesis 1:1-2: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” This passage shows the Spirit of God (interpreted as the Holy Spirit) actively present during the creation process, hovering over the waters before the formation of light and land.
Job 33:4: “The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” Here, the Spirit of God is credited with creation and giving life, emphasizing the Holy Spirit’s role in the formation of living beings.
Psalm 104:30: “When you send forth your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground.” This verse highlights the continuous creative and renewing power of the Holy Spirit in nature and the environment.
The Holy Spirit is a creator; you and I are living the life He created, and not only that, He is creating in our life on a daily basis. You might ask, what is He creating? Answer is simple, fruit.
My wife and I live in the Spirit every day. His presence in our home is our top priority. But how does one know if they are in the Spirit? How do we recognize His presence in our lives? One way to discern the Holy Spirit’s presence is through the fruit He produces in us. Just as my oak tree produces acorns, the Holy Spirit produces spiritual fruits in our lives.
Matthew 7:15-20 (ESV): Jesus teaches, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.”
I have several oak trees on our property, and some are in the wrong environment, producing very few acorns. Similarly, some baby Christians produce very little fruit, while some older Christians produce none. The lack of spiritual fruit can be an indicator of spiritual health.
Recognizing True Fruit
The fruit of the Spirit, as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23, includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Conversely, Galatians 5:19-21 describes the works of the flesh, which are the opposite of these fruits.
If I don’t see the fruit of the Spirit in a believer, I keep my distance. Experience has taught me that believers who do not produce the fruit of the Spirit can have a negative effect on the fruit I produce. For example, drama, gossip, bitterness, and envy are all toxic to the believer. However, love, even if from a distance, remains essential. I can love them without engaging in their negative behaviors.
Imagine me pouring a harmful chemical like RoundUp around the base of my oak tree. It would kill it and its fruit. My point is, allowing negative influences in our life can hinder the Holy Spirit from producing His fruit in us.
The Holy Spirit’s Active Presence
The Holy Spirit is active and present in our lives today. He dwells within each believer, guiding, comforting, and empowering us for godly living. This is affirmed in passages like 1 Corinthians 3:16: “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” and John 14:17: “Even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. You know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.”
Conclusion
Understanding and embracing the Holy Spirit’s role in our lives is vital for our spiritual growth and well-being. He is our guide, comforter, and source of strength, continuously working to create and renew within us. Let us seek to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit, avoid the works of the flesh, and allow His presence to transform us daily.
