“…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.”
(John 14:17)
In the “fullness of time,” God the Son (Immanuel, “God with us”) came to earth for a period of about 30 years to dwell among men. While He was here, Jesus promised that on His departure back to heaven He would send the fullness of the Spirit in His place. God the Spirit dwells continually in the hearts of all those who trust in Christ as Savior. Andrew Gray said, “As a carnalist’s heart is the devil’s heaven, so a saint’s soul is God’s dwelling house, ‘Know you not, that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?’ (1 Cor. 3:16).” This truth is reiterated by His promise, “I will never leave you nor forsake you,” (Heb. 13:5). What a rich privilege to have the Spirit of God dwelling in us! Believers experience many benefits as a result of the Spirit of God dwelling in us.
God’s Spirit is to believers a Spirit of adoption. “For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba Father,” (Rom. 8:15). His indwelling Spirit evidences the fact that we are children of God, heirs to the kingdom of heaven. He fosters our spiritual growth and obedience and prompts us to pray with reverence to our heavenly Father (Gal. 4:6).
God’s Spirit is to us a Spirit of supplication and intercession (Rom. 8:26). Christ intercedes for us at the Father’s right hand in heaven; the Spirit intercedes from within us, here on earth. He teaches us how to pray through Scripture and what to pray for, helps us understand Scripture and bring it to mind when we need to use it in our devotions, and convicts us of sin that we might live holy before God.
The Spirit of God is to believers a Spirit of liberty. He helps us perform our rightful duties to God with zeal and readiness (2 Cor. 3:17). “I will run the way of your commandments, when you shall enlarge my heart,” (Ps. 119:32). When His Spirit enlarges our heart for God, we are much more inclined to do what God requires of us.
The Spirit of God is to believers a Spirit of light. He directs our ways. He leads us in those “paths of righteousness.” He never leaves us, conducting us safely to heaven where we will dwell with our God forever, adoring Him for all eternity.
- Lord, Your Spirit is to me a Spirit of testimony (Rom. 8:16) as a true believer. The Spirit gives me a holy quality, enlightens my eyes of understanding, and enables me to see the signs of saving grace as I live each day before You. You make grace visible in my life, affirming that I am adopted by God and part of His everlasting Kingdom.
- I know I am Yours, Lord. I am Your servant, and You are my salvation (1 John 5:11). There is joy in having the testimony of Your Spirit and the evidence of grace in my life. What is more delightful day by day than to be helped by the Spirit of God? What is more comforting than to see that I am beloved of God?
- You are to me a Spirit of comfort (John 14:16). Yet I know that this comfort is not perpetual. Sometimes David is singing (Ps. 27:6), and sometimes he is dancing (Ps. 30:11). But sometimes he is sighing (Ps. 31:10), and even roaring (Ps. 32:3). Help me wait before You, seeking Your Spirit to renew my strength like that of the eagle (Ps. 103:5), and trusting in You when I am in times of drought and wilderness (Ps. 102:6).
Further References for John 14:17
John 15:26, 16:13; 1 Cor. 2:14; 1 John 4:6; Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 6:19
