How do we know if we have the Holy Spirit?

[troymartin]

The basic message is that if we are led by the Holy Spirit then we are the children of God.
This is then obviously an essential thing to consider regarding our salvation from God.
How then do we identify within ourselves if we have been blessed with the Holy Spirit?

 

[Ainesis]

Hi Troy Martin,

I know for myself because the Holy Spirit reveals God to me, giving me insights and understandings I could not have obtained on my own.

I also know because He has strengthened me in some very stressful times, allowing me to act in love at the expense of myself. Believe me, I am just not that sefless. LOL

Also because He has allowed me to see how He is transforming me into the image of His Son over time. I have found diaries that I had years and years ago and I tell you that I am a completely different person. I could not even recognize the person writing those entries. He has truly made me a new creature.

I know because He communes with me and allows me to hear God's voice. When the Spirit is filled with joy, I can feel it just as when He is grieved.

I know because I can see the fruit of the Spirit being made manifest in my life and know that He desires to rpune me to bring forth even more fruit.

I know because He has given me gifts of the Spirit which comes from a supernatural power that cannot be created by man.

I know because He gives me a thirst and hunger for the things of God, which is not a natural born desire for man.

Just some quick thoughts!

 

[visionary]

The Holy Spirit is the still small voice leading us into a more personal relationship with God. The Holy Spirit impresses upon you as you read the Word of God, sometimes by highlighting the Word of God and bringing new insight and depth of understanding to certain passages that are helpful in your spiritual growth. The Holy Spirit leas youto conivctions as to the truth. The Holy Spirit brings to your understanding that you are the Temple of God and this is where God wants to dwell.

In Rev 3:20 Jesus is knocking at your door, and if you hear His voice and let Him in, He will sup with you and you with Him. As the relationship with Jesus grows closer and you have an experience where you come face to face with Holiness, you will know that this is what the Bible is talking about. This is real. Holy is not just a name to put on books, altars and church doors, it is the very essence of God.

God is calling a people to get closer and closer to him, that one day there will be the fulfillment, the consumation, the total indwelling of the Holy Spirit within. Then these people will be more than an upper room experience with a flick of flame on their heads, they will be transfigured like Jesus was.

Mark 9:2 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. 3 And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.

 

[gzt]

Do you love your enemies?

 

[StevenL]

You "know" by faith. Hebrews 11:1....the evidence of unseen things. If you know it because you feel loving, or have goosebumps, or because you've done something "good", or speak in tongues, then maybe you won't know it when you don't feel too loving one day, or don't feel like you've grown spiritually for a while, or maybe you've slipped into a temporary sin....etc. We know we have the Spirit because we've asked the Father for Him and believed that He gave us the Spirit and not a snake. We get in trouble when we must have a physical manifestation to believe the Unseen Things. We grow, do good works, see manifestations from God....because we've already believed God and are exercising faith and already have the Spirit not so that we can know we have the Spirit. Getting this principle upside down causes much harm to the walk in the Spirit.

We Believe, then Know we have the Spirit, Then we change and good works and have manifestions.

Most teach that you change, do good works, have a manifestation, THEN we believe and THEN KNOWwe have the Spirit. This atmosphere is where the Enemy does his best deceiving work...especially in churches.

 

[Ainesis]

"And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve." Acts 19:1-7

A few important things about this text:

• These individuals were already believers when Paul approached them. He acknowledges them as such.
• In spite of them being believers, Paul asks specifically whether they have received the Holy Spirit since believing.
• Paul is not shocked by the possibility that they have not received the Holy Spirit. In fact, he is the one who initiates the discussion.
• Paul does not dispute their response and say "You don't have to know whether you have received it. Take it by faith."
• The Holy Spirit comes after Paul lays hands on them.
• They then had tangible evidence that the Spirit was given

 

[notinvain]

One sign to know would be the fruits that you produce. If you produce the fruits of the sinful nature then you can be sure that you don't have the Spirit. If your fruit is self-control, goodness, peace, gentleness, love, joy and so on then there is a pretty good chance you have it.

 

[Ainesis]

I agree! And may I add that the evidence of the Spirit is not what we can do or what we can see, but it is the natural manifestation of the life of the Spirit as He abides in us.

 

[StevenL]

"there is a pretty good chance you have it."

Better to just believe and not take the chance.

 

[StevenL]

"And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve." Acts 19:1-7

A few important things about this text:

• These individuals were already believers when Paul approached them. He acknowledges them as such.
• In spite of them being believers, Paul asks specifically whether they have received the Holy Spirit since believing.
• Paul is not shocked by the possibility that they have not received the Holy Spirit. In fact, he is the one who initiates the discussion.
• Paul does not dispute their response and say "You don't have to know whether you have received it. Take it by faith."
• The Holy Spirit comes after Paul lays hands on them.
• They then had tangible evidence that the Spirit was given

"that they should believe on him which should come after him"

Maybe this teaching will apply when we find some disciples of John who did not know they had to believe in Christ. After they believed the right thing...the rest fell into place. The entire teaching of the New Testament disputes the "believing AFTER a physical evidence" doctrine. Physical manifestations ( which are not evidence..faith is THE evidence ) follow correct belief not the other way 'round.

 

[Ainesis]

"that they should believe on him which should come after him"

Maybe this teaching will apply when we find some disciples of John who did not know they had to believe in Christ. After they believed the right thing...the rest fell into place. The entire teaching of the New Testament disputes the "believing AFTER a physical evidence" doctrine. Physical manifestations ( which are not evidence..faith is THE evidence ) follow correct belief not the other way 'round.

Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

What indication do you see that they did not believe the "right thing"? The text certainly does not say that.

What is stated is that they had received the baptism of John. Paul describes this baptism as one of repentance where John pointed individuals to believe on the one who came after him.

When hearing that they did not know of the Holy Spirit, Paul did not say "Oh, you are not believing in the right thing." Nor did he say "Oh, I see, you are not yet believers." He instructs them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.

Only those who believe are baptized. Belief precedes baptism; you don't baptize those who have no faith in Christ. If, the reason why they did not receive the Spirit is because their faith was incomplete, then why did Paul not teach them in the right way before baptizing them?

The bottom line is that one must believe before being baptized and before receiving the Spirit. In this case, Paul calls them believers and never corrects this reference. Additionally, when being confronted with the fact that they did not have the Holy Spirit, he does not start correcting their belief (which he already stated was based on Jesus through John's baptism) but he baptizes them into the faith. It is only then that the Spirit is given.

I am not setting this forth as a pattern for how the Spirit operates, however it certainly disproves an approach of "just accept that you have it by faith because you believe" stance.

 

[StevenL]

"The bottom line is that one must believe before being baptized and before receiving the Spirit."

Exactly. Not after receiving the Spirit with evidence. Thanks.

 

[Ainesis]

"The bottom line is that one must believe before being baptized and before receiving the Spirit."

Exactly. Not after receiving the Spirit with evidence. Thanks.

You are welcome! Glad we could come to agreement on that.

I have never said that one believes "after" receiving the Spirit. And there is always evidence that attests to the presence of the Holy Spirit within us.

God Bless

 

[StevenL]

My problem is with the word "evidence." The way I was taught at first, (the Lord later corrected me), was that you sought God for the Spirit, he gave you tongues and then based on that "evidence" you knew you had the Spirit. Nope...FAITH is the "evidence" like the Scripture says. THE evidence. Faith is the "evidence" that you have the unseen Spirit. Tongues, prophecy, faith, healings, fruits, works...are all manifestations (not "evidence") of the fact that you have the indwelling Spirit because you received Him by Faith (The Evidence.)

If people are waiting until after they have a manifestation (tongues or anything else) before they believe and know they have the baptism with the Spirit they've got it completely backward. This is what the Enemy wants....for God's people to believe only after they see, smell, taste, feel, hear something. That is the essence of Sensual... the realm of the devil.

This is the very reason that there is very little power of Godliness in the "manifestations" in the assemblies today. Most are based in sensuality and not in the true Evidence.

I think its ironic that Tongues, which when given for a sign, is for the unbeliever, but yet some churches have turned the sign meant for the unbeliever into the Evidence that believers have received the Spirit. Very slick....very slick indeed. What an enemy!

 

[Ainesis]

My problem is with the word "evidence."

I kind of figured that.

The way I was taught at first, (the Lord later corrected me), was that you sought God for the Spirit, he gave you tongues and then based on that "evidence" you knew you had the Spirit.

I actually do not believe that tongues are the initial evidence, although they can be. My point is that the Spirit of God is a living entity; it is not dormant. As such, it manifests evidence of this life in those with whom He abides.

It is like scientists claiming that there is life on Mars. But until they actually find evidence of that life, all they have is theory and speculation. We do not have a theoretical God, which I am sure you would agree.

The power of the Spirit, as seen in the spiritual fruit and gifts, is evidence of its life within us. This is why Jesus tells us that we will know them by their fruit.

FAITH is the "evidence" like the Scripture says. THE evidence. Faith is the "evidence" that you have the unseen Spirit. Tongues, prophecy, faith, healings, fruits, works...are all manifestations (not "evidence") of the fact that you have the indwelling Spirit because you received Him by Faith (The Evidence.)

On what are you basing the statement that "faith is the evidence" of having the Spirit?

If people are waiting until after they have a manifestation (tongues or anything else) before they believe and know they have the baptism with the Spirit they've got it completely backward.

You are correct here. I did not know that anyone was advocating that one should seek the Spirit before believing. I am not familiar with such churches. It is completely unScriptural in any regard because the Spirit is only given to those who obey God.

This is the very reason that there is very little power of Godliness in the "manifestations" in the assemblies today. Most are based in sensuality and not in the true Evidence.

That is probably true., in terms of evidence of salvation.

I think its ironic that Tongues, which when given for a sign, is for the unbeliever, but yet some churches have turned the sign meant for the unbeliever into the Evidence that believers have received the Spirit. Very slick....very slick indeed. What an enemy!

Well, it would be a "sign" to the unbeliever for the believer does not need a sign as he/she already believes. But tongues are also edifying for the individual believer in that his spirit is praying.

Yet, this is not a discussion on tongues, and I do not believe that this is the pattern for how the Spirit is received. However, when we have this new life in the Spirit imparted to us, there will always be evidence in some way. God would not give us a light and then put it under a bushel.

 

[StevenL]

"On what are you basing the statement that "faith is the evidence" of having the Spirit?"

Hebrews 11:1. The "evidence" of things not seen.

The Lord bless you. <yawn> gotta crash.

 

[Ainesis]

"On what are you basing the statement that "faith is the evidence" of having the Spirit?"

Hebrews 11:1. The "evidence" of things not seen.

The Lord bless you. <yawn> gotta crash.

Oh. I am not sure that I se this. It says the evidence of things "hoped for." We don't have to hope for the Spirit because God gives Him liberally to us. Hope is usually a reference to the eternal life we have in salvation. It is not seen in that it is not yet realized.

Either way, have a wonderful and restful evening!

 

[visionary]

"Have the Holy Spirit" like it is an object to obtain.....excuse me...but I think we need to rethink this....

The Holy Spirit has been described like the wind and that you do not know where it goes, but after it had been here or there you see the evidence.

True, the Holy Spirit influences, seeks, woos, convicts, and wants to indwell, but it is not in our control to hold. We can invite, welcome, rejoice, be renewed, and transformed. The ultimite indwelling of the Holy Spirit has yet to be completed in the believers. For we are changing into the likeness of Christ, the more the Holy Spirit can make itself at home in us. As it is today, we are just coming to recognise, realize that we are the Temples of God and are made for the fullness of indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Just as Jesus told the story of the evil spirit being cleansed out of the home, and then it comes back to find it empty and clean, invites his party animal friends and the state of the home is worse than before it was cleaned the first time. SO also we have the promise that as Jesus cleansed the temple two times, one at the beginning of His ministry and then again at the end of His ministry, so also we can experience the two cleansings in our life. May we do better than the Temple on Jerusalem which did not realize their Messiah had come to die for their sins. May we not only accept the cleansing of the Temple from the money changers but live the sacrificed life of temple service as part of the new priesthood.

There comes a time when we must move closer to God and become the spiritual kings and priests that God would have us be in these last days of earth’s history. In order to do this we must understand one of the most important tasks that Jesus is performing in the heavenly sanctuary for us today.

1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

 

[StevenL]

Oh. I am not sure that I se this. It says the evidence of things "hoped for." We don't have to hope for the Spirit because God gives Him liberally to us. Hope is usually a reference to the eternal life we have in salvation. It is not seen in that it is not yet realized.

Either way, have a wonderful and restful evening!

It says......Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the Evidence of things not seen.

thanks! I did.

 

[SPALATIN]

You are welcome! Glad we could come to agreement on that.

I have never said that one believes "after" receiving the Spirit. And there is always evidence that attests to the presence of the Holy Spirit within us.

God Bless

We can't come to faith unless the Spirit directs us upon hearing the word of God.

I don't have the Gift of Tongues. Does that mean that I am not saved?