Holy Spirit Part 5: God’s presence in our lives

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30 ESV)

As Christians, we have the privilege of the Holy Spirit of God dwelling within us. We’ve been given the honor of our body being a temple of the Holy Spirit, of having God’s presence in our lives.

While God’s Spirit is present in our lives, the degree of the manifestation of the Spirit’s presence depends on us as individuals, on how much we open ourselves up to the Spirit’s influence. In the Old Testament, there are examples of some who had the Holy Spirit’s presence and influence in their lives, but whose sins caused the Spirit to depart, such as Samson and Saul.

In the New Testament we are told to not grieve the Holy Spirit or quench the Spirit. The Greek word that is used for quench in Paul’s first epistle to the Thessalonians is “sbennymi”, which means to extinguish, suppress, or stifle, which Paul cautioned them not to do in relation to the workings of the Holy Spirit both within and through them.

The benefits of the Holy Spirit’s active involvement in our lives are many. The Holy Spirit influences our lives for good; helps us to be more effective witnesses and to better minister to others; causes us to be more godly and to resist evil and sin; and makes us tabernacles, or dwelling places, for God, so that others can see Him in us and thus be drawn to Him. This “gift of the Father” which has been bestowed upon us is the priceless gift of the presence of God in our lives. What an honor. —Peter Amsterdam [1]

O Holy Spirit, descend plentifully into my heart. Enlighten the dark corners of this neglected dwelling and scatter there Thy cheerful beams. —Saint Augustine

[1] Anchor The Holy Spirit at Work in Our Lives