FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6
Job 33:1-4
1 Corinthians 2:9-16

“…yea, sweeter than
honey to my mouth!”

THE SPIRIT A PERSON

The Holy Spirit is infinitely powerful. There is nothing He cannot do. But it is quite wrong to think of Him merely as some impersonal power or force or influence, as some do. Let us see the clear teaching of Scripture concerning the person of the Holy Spirit. God’s Word declares beyond a shadow of doubt that the Holy Spirit has intelligence, purposeful action and emotion. These qualities are not possessed by an impersonal power or influence or force.

Intelligence. In 1 Corinthians 2, we read that (a) it is the Spirit who reveals the things which God has prepared for them that love Him (v 9), (b) the Spirit searches and knows the deep things of God (vv 10-11), (c) the Holy Ghost teaches the spiritual things of God (vv 13-14). It is the will of God the Father that His children should come to a knowledge of deep spiritual truths. To this end, He sends the Holy Spirit who knows all to teach and instruct us. An impersonal power cannot understand anything of God, let alone teach.

Purposeful Action. The Spirit speaks: “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly…” (1 Tim 4:1). “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches…” (Rev 2:7). He commands or exercises authority: “…the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work…” (Acts 13:2). He intercedes for believers: “…the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us…” (Rom 8:26). The intercession of the Spirit proves His distinct personality.

Emotion. The Holy Spirit feels for us: “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is in the mind of the Spirit…” (Rom 8:26-27). Paul warns us to “grieve not the holy Spirit of God” (Eph 4:30). These and many other passages reveal to us that the blessed Third Person bears a great concern for us, far beyond what we can even remotely appreciate, as He groans and grieves on our behalf.

THOUGHT: The Holy Spirit has a personal interest in me.
PRAYER: Father, may Thy Spirit reveal to me Thy deep truths.