Holy Spirit, Where Are You?

Speaking to a large audience, D.L. Moody held up a glass and asked, "How can I get the air out of this glass?" One man shouted, "Suck it out with a pump!" Moody replied, "That would create a vacuum and shatter the glass." After numerous other suggestions Moody smiled, picked up a pitcher of water, and filled the glass. "There," he said, "all the air is now removed." He then went on to explain that victory in the Christian life is not accomplished by "sucking out a sin here and there," but by being filled with the Holy Spirit.

There has been many times I have heard folks say, "I don't feel the Holy Spirits presences, it seems He has left me"

Am I suppose to feel Him all the time?....If not, am I really saved?....Why don't I have that joy I used to have?

Although there are times when the Holy Spirit may involve feelings, such as conviction of sin, comfort, and power to wit-ness when we are weak, Bible does not tell us to base our relationship with the Holy Spirit on how or what we feel. Every born again believer has the indwelling Holy Spirit. Jesus told us that when the Comforter has come He will be with us and in us. John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

In other words, Jesus is sending one like Himself to be with us and in us. We know the Holy Spirit is with us because God's Word tells us that. Every born-again believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, but not every believer is controlled by the Holy Spirit, and there is a big difference. When we purposely sin and do things that we know are not in Gods will for our life but, in the will our flesh, we are not under the control of the Holy Spirit even though we are still indwelt by Him.

The apostle Paul talks about this, and he uses an illustration that helps us to understand. (Ephesians 5:18) 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Many people read this verse and interpret it to mean that Paul is just speaking against wine. There is something more here than just a warning about drinking wine. This verse is the walk and the warfare of the Spirit filled believer.

When people are drunk with too much wine, their characteristics change, they become clumsy, their speech is slurred, and their judgment is impaired.

The apostle Paul is using a comparison here. Just as there are certain characteristics that identify someone who is controlled by too much wine, there is also certain characteristics that identify someone who is controlled by the Holy Spirit. In Galatians 5:22-24 is about the “fruit” of the Spirit. This is the Holy Spirit’s fruit or character and it is shown by the born again believer who is under His control.

In other words, the actions of someone who is drunk on alcohol or drugs has the character of what goes in and it comes out. The Holy Spirit that lives within us does not have that character.. But the fruit (or character) of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. Galatians 5:22-24

We are not filled with the Spirit because we feel we are, but because this is the privilege of being a Christian. Being filled or controlled by the Spirit is the result of walking in obedience to the Lord. This is a gift of grace and not an emotional feeling. Emotions can and will deceive us.

Experiencing joy by the Holy Spirit is the understanding that we are being blessed by His grace.

So, the Holy Spirit can involve our feelings and emotions. At the same time, we are not to base the assurance of our possession of the Holy Spirit on how we feel.

How long will He be with us? John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever. Forever....He will never leave us nor forsake us...saved beyond a doubt.

Love in Christ Jesus. Ronnie Miller www.themillersbiblestudy.com