Continuing our Names & Titles of the Holy Spirit series in this article we are going to look at the term Spirit of God and see the various ways he is referred to, in what events, with what people, and what results.
So let’s start reading about the Spirit of God…
Involved In Creation
…the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. (Gen 1:2) We are told the earth was without form, void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep.
Without form means formlessness, confusion, unreality, emptiness, chaos, empty space, nothingness, or vanity.
Void means an undistinguishable ruin, to be empty, useless.
This reflects our life. Without the Spirit of God, our lives are empty. In fact, so many people know that something is missing. What is the purpose of life? What is my purpose? It is all empty until the Holy Spirit moves in.
Just as the Spirit of God was involved in the natural creation so too is he involved in the new creation. The Father knows what he wants to create, his Word gives the declaration, and his Spirit makes it happen.
Just like the planet, we were formless, full of confusion, in a place of nothingness, empty inside, serving no purpose and as such useless, and therefore nothing but vanity.
But just like the planet when the Holy Spirit stops hovering above the waters so to speak and enters into us, we are transformed just like the planet was. We have life and more abundantly (Jhn 10:10), we bring forth fruit (Gal 5:22), and we become God’s new creation (2Co 5:17).
And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath showed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: (Gen 41:38-39)
Discreet here means understanding, discernment, or intelligence. Combined with wisdom.
All gifts of the Holy Spirit. (1Co 12:8), (1Co 12:10). And of course, the very word gifts in the New Testament is from the word charisma.
We all notice people who have charisma. Just as Pharoah recognized the Spirit of God in Joseph so will other people notice him in you.
Bezaleel Was Filled With The Spirit Of God
Not sure who Bezaleel was? He was the guy God filled with the Spirit so he could build the tabernacle and oversee the others God gave wisdom to in order to perform the task.
And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship. (Exo 31:3-5)
The tabernacle symbolizes Christ and the Church. The Tabernacle had to be strictly built according to the pattern God gave.
If the natural building needed someone empowered with God’s Spirit to get the task done how much more does the Church – God’s spiritual house made of lively stones (1Pe 2:5) need spirit-filled leaders?
The Spirit of God Came Upon Balaam
We read an interesting story about Balaam a prophet of God selling out to Balak of the Moabites who were afraid of Israel. (Deu 23:4-5) They hired Balaam to put a curse on Israel however we read in (Num 24:2) that the Spirit of God came on Balaam and gave a blessing for Israel instead.
Balaam’s disobedience was highlighted by an Angel standing against him in the famous talking donkey incident. (Num 22:22-35)
Balaam loved the way of unrighteousness (2Pe 2:15)
Balaam ran greedily in error for a reward (Jude 1:11)
The doctrine of Balaam leads people astray by eating things sacrificed to idols and committing fornication. (Rev 2:14)
Yet despite Balaam being unrighteous, greedy, a peddler of false doctrines, etc. God caused his Spirit to temporarily come upon him to fulfill his blessing upon Israel in front of their enemies who had paid to hear a cursing.
The Spirit of God Came Upon Saul
When Saul was appointed to be king over Israel the Spirit of the Lord came upon him and he turned into another man. God gave him another heart and he prophesied among the prophets who he met along the way. (1Sa 10:6-12)
In the New Testament when we receive the Holy Spirit, we experience the same thing. God gives us a new heart (Ez 36:26), we are turned into another man (2Co 5:17), and we prophesy (Act 19:6)
Of course, we know that Saul didn’t stay on the straight and narrow and the Spirit of the Lord departed from him. (1Sa 16:14).
The Spirit of God Came Upon Messengers of Saul
This is another amazing story of the Spirit of the Lord coming upon those opposed to his will. Saul had a hatred for David because of his popularity after he had slain Goliath and he perhaps knew David was anointed by Samuel to become king.
Either way, David fled from Saul and Saul discovered where he was hiding. Saul sent messengers to capture David however when they saw Samuel the prophet and the prophets along the way prophesying the Spirit of God came upon the messengers and they prophesied as well.
Saul sends another set of messengers and the same thing happens. He then for the third time sends more messengers and the same thing happens.
Finally, he goes himself and the Spirit of God comes upon Saul as well and he too prophesies. So 4 times the Spirit of God came upon the enemies of David allowing David to escape capture. (1Sa 19:20-24)
The Spirit of God Came Upon Azariah
Azariah the prophet was the son of Obed (2Ch 15:1) and the same scriptures just refer to him later by his father’s name or indeed they both were alive at the same time and relayed the same prophesy to Asa the king. (2Ch 15:8)
It is clear that Azariah’s father was a prophet (2Ch 28:9)
Asa was one of the very rare good Kings of Judah and by the Spirit of God, Azariah told Aza that God was with him.
Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded. (2Ch 15:7)
The Spirit of God Came Upon Zechariah
Another interesting yet sad story is found in 2 Chronicles chapter 24. Joash was seven years old when he began to reign as King over Judah and he did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest.
There were a lot of shifty people behind the scenes trying to manipulate the King however while Jehoida was alive he advised him and Joash listened to him and did the right thing.
However, when Jehoida died things took a severe turn for the worst. Jehoida was the father of Zechariah and the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah (2Ch 24:20) and he said…
Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you.
Sadly the response even at the order of the King was to stone Zechariah to death. (2Ch 24:21) Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. (2Ch 24:22)
Zechariah’s dying words are… “The LORD look upon it, and require it.” (2Ch 24:23)
By the end of that very same year, the LORD fulfilled Zechariah’s dying words, and the Syrians came with a very small number of people and the Lord delivered a very great host into their hands.
They destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people and sent all their spoils of them to the king of Damascus.
The treachery of these people was all about keeping the money and making more profits at the expense of Zechariah’s life. Now they were destroyed and the very riches that drove them to such evils were now in the hands of strangers.
This a good lesson for everyone to… So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. (Luke 12:21)
The final tragic end of Joash was that his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and slew him on his bed, and he died. (2Ch 24:25)
So from that scripture, it seems clear that Joash not only killed Zechariah but his brothers as well. What a miserable man to have killed the children of the very man who was so kind to him and made his reign so successful. But justice is served in the end.
The Spirit of God Has Made Me
The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. (Job 33:4) Interestingly Job’s three friends came to see him and God was displeased with them saying… for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath. (Job 42:7)
It seems as though Elihu was much younger and also a friend of Job he came later or was already comforting Job before they arrived.
Elihu keeps his peace and does not talk until the other 3 friends have had their say because they are the elders and he is the younger.
But when he does speak he rebukes Job’s 3 friends and the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends (Job 42:7) but had no rebuke for Elihu which seems to vindicate what the younger man had to say.
My point is you can’t always take what someone says in the Bible and say that is the same as what God says. It was Elihu who said, the Spirit of God has made me. However, it does seem to be a common belief and agrees with other scriptures.
Ezekiel’s Vision
… brought me in a vision by the Spirit of God (Eze 11:24-25) – Ezekiel sees the restoration of Israel and he spoke to them of the captivity of all the things that the LORD had showed him.
Like Dove Upon Jesus
…the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him. (Mat 3:16)
Cast Out Devils By The Spirit of God
…if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come unto you. (Mat 12:28)
We read about many circumstances where Jesus cast out devils and he is explaining in the above verse that he is doing this by the Spirit of God. (Mat 4:24, Mat 8:16, Mat 8:28-33, Mat 9:32-33, Mat 12:22, Mat 15:22-28, Mat 17:18)
I go into more detail about how the Spirit of God is called the finger of God in another scripture and is an amazing comparison. You see that info in the latter half of this article: What Did Jesus Write In The Sand – The Finger Of God
The Spirit of God Dwells in You
If you are in the flesh you can not please God. But you are not in the flesh if the Spirit of God dwells in you. (Rom 8:8-9). We are just an earthen vessel that holds the most precious cargo ever – the Spirit of God.
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. (Roms 8:11)
You are the temple of God because the Spirit of God dwells in you (1Co 3:16)
…for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (2 Cor 6:16)
…keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us (2 Tim 1:14)
I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever (John 14:16)
And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. (1 John 3:24)
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Rom 8:14) We are instructed to be led by the Spirit. Just as Israel followed the cloud in the wilderness we are to follow the Spirit. We are to allow him to lead. He is a guide. He prepares the way. He tells us where to go and where not to go.
Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness (Mat 4:1)
Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. (Act 8:29)
The Spirit told Peter to go with the 3 men to visit Cornelius (Acts 10:19)
Interestingly it says the Spirit was responsible for sending those 3 men also (Acts 10:20)
Walk in the Spirit (Gal 5:16)
If you are led by the Spirit you are not under law (Gal 5:18)
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Rom 8:14). Words fail me… how do you explain or even comprehend the enormity of being granted the privilege of being a child of God?
To fully comprehend that God is your Father. To fully grasp that you are his child and all that entails. Just to be loved by him is enough. Yet we are also joint heirs in the most amazing inheritance.
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God (Rom 8:16)
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ (Rom 8:17)
Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. (Gal 4:28)
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God (1Jo 3:1)
Mighty Signs & Wonders
Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God (Rom 15:19). Paul was explaining what Christ had wrought by him while ministering Jesus Christ to the Gentiles and the mighty signs and wonders were done by the power of the Spirit of God.
And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people (Acts 5:12)
The signs and wonders were God giving testimony to his word being preached. (Act 14:3)
Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, wonders, and mighty deeds. (2 Cor 12:12)
God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will (Heb 2:4)
Know The Things Of God
By the Spirit of God, we can know the things of God. The Spirit teaches us the things of Christ, the Spirit speaks of him, the Spirit calls into remembrance the things that Jesus spoke, the Spirit reveals things, and even when we pray in the Spirit we speak mysteries.
…the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. (1Co 2:11)
But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. (1 Cor 2:10)
…the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God (1 Cor 2:14)
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (Col 3:1)
…thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. (Mat 11:25)
It was revealed to Simeon by the Holy Ghost that he should not see death before he saw the Lord’s Christ. (Luk 2:26)
You can understand the mystery of Christ that is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.
That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: (Eph 3:5-7 )
Temple of God
You are the temple of God and the Spirit of God dwells in you. (1Co 3:16) For the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. (1 Cor 3:17)
We are told our bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost (1 Cor 6:19) and that we are the temple of the living God (2 Cor 6:16).
We are told that all believers are like a building fitly framed together growing as a Holy Temple in the Lord and that together we are the habitation of God through the Spirit. (Eph 2:21-22)
Speak By the Spirit of God
… that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed. (1Co 12:3)
Of course, on the day of Pentecost and subsequently, when people get filled with the Spirit of God the Spirit speaks. They spoke in tongues… as the Spirit gave them the utterance. (Acts 2:4)
Jesus said that when we are brought be for councils, synagogues, governors, and kings we don’t need to think about what we should say because… it is not ye that speaks, but the Spirit of your Father which speaks in you. (Mt 10:20)
The Spirit of God spoke through the prophets. (Act 28:25)
The Spirit of God spoke to Stephen (Act 8:29)
The Spirit of God spoke to Peter (Act 10:19)
Don’t Grieve the Spirit of God
We are told not to grieve the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30). From time to time, we can feel down. It can seem like a tremendous responsibility to know the things that we know. Or sometimes we might wish we never had the Holy Spirit so we could be just like everyone else.
The Old Testament is full of disasters that fell on God’s people who wanted to be like everyone else. It’s not a good idea, to put it mildly.
Trust the Lord and lean not on your own understanding. (Pro 3:5 )He that began a good work in you will finish it. (Phl 1:6). Rather sow to Spirit and allow your spiritual life to flourish.
Confesses Jesus has Come in the Flesh
Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God. (1Jo 4:2)
Allan Wilson is the creator of the Scriptural Thinking Affirmations Package. Featuring over 200 minutes of mp3 audio Bible affirmations complete with background music. The package comes with the original affirmations PDF ebook and many bonus affirmation Bible studies as well. The affirmations are designed to help you call to remembrance all of the wonderful benefits of being in Christ and the marvelous privilege of being a child of God.
