Our 72nd Word is Spirit

The simple definition of spirit is the divine Person responsible for spiritual life, growth, and service.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

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From beginning (Genesis 1:2) to end (Revelation 22:17), the great story of God is sprinkled with references to the Spirit. We read about the “Spirit of God” (Exodus 31:3), the “Spirit of the Lord” (Isaiah 40:13; Ezekiel 11:5), the “Spirit of truth” (John 14:17; 16:13), and the “Holy Spirit” (Psalm 51:11; Acts 1:8). (Older translations of the Bible refer to the “Holy Ghost.”)

What do we make of all these Spirit references?

The literal meaning of the biblical word spirit is “wind or breath.”

This is interesting because we can’t see wind, only the effects of it. And unless we’re outside on a cold day, we can’t see our breath either. So to speak of God as Spirit (John 4:24) is to say that He is by nature invisible.

Another consideration: life utterly depends on breath. The person who stops breathing will soon die, unless another person blows air into her lungs or a machine starts breathing for him. Thus, to speak of God as Spirit is to say that He’s the breath of humanity (Job 12:10; Isaiah 42:5). He is the giver and sustainer of life.

The astonishing claim of Christianity is that there once was a man who temporarily made the invisible God visible (John 1:1, 14; 14:9; Colossians 1: 15-16). In Jesus, the infinite Creator came and rubbed shoulders with His finite creatures.

Then, just before He left, Jesus made a shocking promise to His followers: that He would soon send them “another advocate”, one just like himself, only invisible, to live inside them forever (John 14: 16-17). He called this promised one the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8)

Talk about a divine breath! In Acts 2, the Spirit swept powerfully over and through the people of God, a life-giving hurricane of hope and help! The result was God’s new community; the church.

The New Testament frequently discusses the Spirit of God, and we’re wise to review those truths often. Consider these teachings:

• The Spirit is fully God – in the same way Jesus is (Acts 5: 1-4).
• Jesus constantly referred to the Spirit as “He” – meaning we should stop calling Him an “it.” God’s Spirit is a divine Person, not some vague, heavenly energy.
• The Spirit lives within the heart of every believer (Romans 8:9, 11).
• The Spirit prays nonstop for all of us (Romans 8: 26-27)
• The Spirit gives Christians supernatural abilities for serving others (Romans 12: 3-8).

As the “Holy” Spirit, he’s constantly leading us toward truth and away from error and unholiness (John 16:13). He elbows us in the soul when we start to stray (John 16: 7-8), and He’s grieved when we ignore His promptings (Ephesians 4:30). Why? Because His primary goal is to make us like Christ (Galatians 4:19; 5: 22-23).

Feeling suffocated, like your soul can’t breathe? Feeling spent, like you need a powerful, second wind?

God’s Spirit can fill you with new vitality and power. Just ask Him.

Questions to Ponder

1. What are your big, unanswered questions bout the Holy Spirit?
2. Make a list of where and when you’ve experienced His Holy Spirit.