by Shane Carrington
Like that of the Father and Son, the Holy Spirit’s work is central to our redemption, spiritual growth, and eternal life. In this issue, Shane begins a year-long examination of biblical teaching on “Life in the Spirit.” Welcome, friend!
Perhaps you have had this conversation. You declare your understanding of Scripture that the Holy Spirit convicts, converts, strengthens, corrects, and guides us through the written word (John 16:7-15; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Eph. 3:1-5; 6:17; etc.). The response: “You’re just scared of the Holy Spirit.” Or, “I just can’t limit the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.”
Lack of understanding can lead to unhealthy fears, but knowledge of “The Holy Spirit’s Testimony Concerning Himself” (Elmer Moore’s original title of his book on the Spirit, 1991) produces, enlightens, and strengthens our faith. The Holy Spirit gave the written word to impart life. For this we thank God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—for revealing themselves and their word which breathes life into souls weary and heavy laden (Matt. 11:28, 29). With Peter, we declare, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life” (John 6:68). Like Jesus said, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life” (John 6:63). The same Holy Spirit inspired the apostles to preach and write that message of life for us all (John 16:7-15; 20:30-31). As Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (John 8:32; cf. 16:13; 17:17). Again, “it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth” (1 John 5:6b).
We have no spiritual life without the work of the Holy Spirit. He is vital to salvation from our past, transformation in our present, and eternal glorification in our future. Minimizing the role of the Holy Spirit as described in Scripture means minimizing God, for the Holy Spirit is a divine person (next month’s article). Our life in the Spirit is necessarily connected to our walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:25). We discover this life of hope in the Holy Spirit-inspired gospel which shapes our thinking and lifestyle in Christ (Rom. 1:16-17; 12:1-2).
Sadly, some lean upon mysterious, deceptive feelings—carnal experiences—rather than the written word. What a dangerous way to live!
The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it? (Jer. 17:9).
There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death (Prov. 14:12).
Leaning on mystical “nudgings of the Spirit” is actually relying upon personal, deceptive emotions. What some call being led by the Spirit is, in reality, being enticed by the flesh. When people claim to be “spiritual” without the revealed word of the Holy Spirit, they deceive themselves. We have no spiritual life without Him and His word (John 6:63; 8:32; 20:30-31).
The May 2021 issue of Truth Magazine focused upon Bible teaching about the Holy Spirit’s indwelling, a fact discussed many places in the New Testament (1 Cor. 6:9-20; Eph. 3:14-19; 5:18-19; etc.). The fact of the indwelling is indisputable; the manner of the indwelling requires discernment. That issue of the magazine explored this in some detail (see note #1) Over the next few months this column will further explore the Spirit’s indwelling in the faithful (especially article 4 in this series, “Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit” [1 Cor. 6:19]), but this series will also explore additional, important truths about the work of the Spirit in the lives of disciples.
Clearly, the only source of spiritual life comes through the plan of the Father (Eph. 1:3ff), the redemptive work of Jesus (Eph. 1:3ff), and the inspired word revealed by the Spirit (Eph. 1:13-14; 3:1-5, 16-19; 6:17; cf. 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 3:14-18). We rightfully emphasize the work of the Father and Son in our redemption. The Holy Spirit’s labor also requires due emphasis, for He too is integral in providing our opportunity for spiritual life.
In the NASB 1995 Update, the words “Spirit” or “spirit” occur twenty-one times in Romans 8. While debate exists regarding how many of those refer to the person of the Spirit, the word of the Spirit, or the spiritually minded disposition produced by the Spirit, we learn a great deal by studying this passage. Consider the following three related truths about the Holy Spirit’s work in the lives of genuine disciples of Jesus.
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death” (Rom. 8:2) Spiritual slavery to sin is everyone’s problem, but the Spirit breaks that bondage through His “law” (the gospel [Rom. 1:16-17] as contrasted with the law of Moses [Rom. 7:1-8:4]). This seems backwards to some, but the gospel (“law of the Spirit”) sets us free, for “it is the power of God for salvation” (Rom. 1:16). Why is the gospel described as “the law of the Spirit”? Because the Holy Spirit revealed it, confirmed it, and uses it as a scalpel to change hearts and lives for the Lord (John 16:7ff; Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12; Rom. 1:5, 16-17; 16:25-26). The Spirit breaks our bondage to sin by teaching us of salvation in Jesus.
Paul concluded his comments about deliverance from bondage by saying, “so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit” (Rom. 8:4) “Walk” means “lifestyle.” Rather than carnality, the law of the Spirit teaches us a better way of life. This is a transforming, upward lifestyle (Rom. 12:1-2; 5:1-5) that leads through trials to spiritual strength and hope. Living “according to” the word/law of “the Spirit” grows us in Jesus.
“For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace” (Rom. 8:5-8). All are passionate about something, but the heart of discipleship is attuned to the spiritual things taught by the Spirit in His law/word. How does the heart change? Through setting our “minds on the things of the. . . Spirit”! We are a reflection of the thoughts of our heart (Pro. 23:7; Mark 7:21). What thoughts fill your mind? Upon what are you feeding spiritually? As Jesus said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God’” (Matt. 4:4). The Holy Spirit revealed that word to transform us to be more like Jesus (Rom. 12:1-2). Consequently, “You have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!’” (Rom. 8:15).
“You are just scared of the Holy Spirit. That’s why you don’t believe in a literal indwelling!” The Holy Spirit is a divine person, so I ponder Him, speak of Him, and live in His presence with reverential fear. I find spiritual life through loving Him, standing in awe of Him, trusting Him, and submitting to Him by following His inspired, written word. “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (Rom. 8:14).” Amen.
Briefly, stated, the Holy Spirit indwells us through the word—compare parallel passages: Ephesians 5:18-19 and Colossians 3:16-17. To “be filled with the Spirit” means to “let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with in all wisdom. . .”
