SUNDAY July 31, 2022

The Holy Spirit’s Three Prepositions

“...for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Acts 1:5

The word in the Hebrew for Spirit is ruach, which means” “breath,” wind,” or spirit.” In Scripture, the word can apply both to humans and to God. The Greek word for Spirit is pneuma, and its meaning correlates with the Hebrew translation, “breath” or “wind,” or “spirit.”

The Holy Spirit has three prepositions, “with,” “in” and “upon.” He is “with” nonbelievers in the world to convict them of sin: “And when He [the Holy Spirit] has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8). Even though people attend church or they have been witnessed to, no one can accept Jesus as Lord and Savior unless the Holy Spirit convicts them of their sin.

While the Holy Spirit is with a person because someone has witnessed to them about the love, grace and mercy of God, He begins to convict them of sin. The Holy Spirit does not condemn anyone; He convicts them so a sinner will suddenly become aware of their sin. They feel guilty, but they are never forced to accept the Lord. The Spirit of God shows them their need to repent and come to Jesus. They simply have to surrender.

When a person repents and they genuinely mean it, the Holy Spirit comes inside their heart; He dwells in them: the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you... (Romans 8:11). It is the Spirit who helps them understand the Bible. He is the One who comes upon them to empower them to live the Christian life.

Those who do not know Christ have a natural mind, and they do not understand the Bible or the things of God: ...the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians 2:14). Nor do they have any conviction for the sinful things they do. They feel no shame.

If you are convicted about your sinful way of life, repent of your sin. Invite Jesus into your life; He will give His Spirit to you.

It is the Holy Spirit's job to convict, God's job to judge and my job to love.
~Billy Graham~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!