The Indwelling Work of the Holy Spirit

Outward appearances can be deceiving. It’s what’s inside that counts. When we look at some of the plain, ordinary people around us we may fail to perceive the presence of Almighty God. But God the Holy Spirit lives inside every true Christian. We call this special presence the indwelling work of the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit’s indwelling is a personal connection, an intimate relationship that He establishes with those who’ve placed their faith in Jesus Christ. In Romans 8.9 the apostle Paul wrote, “You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.” In other words, the Holy Spirit lives in every true believer. He has a personal, indwelling relationship with us.

God’s people haven’t always enjoyed the privilege of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling work. In John 14.17 Jesus told His disciples about their relationship with the Holy Spirit, saying,  “You know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” Prior to Jesus’ death the Holy Spirit lived with God’s people. After Jesus returned to heaven the Holy Spirit came to actually live inside God’s people in a permanent, intimate relationship. Jesus, in John 14.16-17, also told His disciples,  “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you forever, the Spirit of truth.” At the moment of salvation the Holy Spirit enters our lives in a permanent union. He lives in us right here, right now, and forever!

Because the Holy Spirit of God lives inside us as Christians, we have access to His divine power. For example, the Holy Spirit enables us to understand spiritual truth. First Corinthians 2.12 tells us, “We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.” The Holy Spirit living in us helps us know truth from error, right from wrong. He also assures us of our right standing in God’s sight. Second Corinthians 5.5 says, “Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”

Since the Holy Spirit lives inside us, we’ll want to live pure and holy lives. First Corinthians 6.19-20 states, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your body.” Because the Holy Spirit lives inside us, God is present no matter what we do or think. Shouldn’t God’s personal presence motivate us to live pure lives for Him?

Only the blood of Jesus Christ can purify us from sin. Receive Jesus as your Saviour today. Accept His forgiveness and you too will benefit from the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit of God.