THE SPIRIT AND THE SOUL

"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Heb 4:12).

Devotion 13 of 15

THE WITNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is Christ's Vicar--His Liaison, or Point of connection with the redeemed. While unregenerate men are preeminently concerned about what their peers think, the spiritual person takes advantage of the witness of the Spirit. "The Spirit itself (Himself) beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God" (Rom 8:16).

And where does the Spirit bear witness to us? At this point, there is a lot of folklore in the religious community. Some declare the "witness" comes through physical perceptions and impressions. These range from tingling sensations, to feelings of warmth and floatation. Those who make such claims stand or fall to their own Master--but we are under no obligation to believe their witness, or to consider their witness false. However, it is only fair to note their representation not only is without Scriptural precedent, it flies squarely in the face of the Word of the King.

The Holy Spirit bears witness with our "spirit," not our soul, and certainly not our body, which "is dead because of sin" (Rom 8:10). To imagine the Holy Spirit giving a confirming witness to the part of us that is unregenerate, has not been born again, and is nailed to the earth like Sisera's head (Judges 4:21), seems to me to the height of absurdity. Notwithstanding, not a few Christians make this claim.

The Holy Spirit "bears witness" to a positive assertion and sure condition. He does not "bear witness" of our past, when we were "dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph 2:1-2). Having convicted us of the sin of unbelief, the need for righteousness, and the defeat of the devil (John 16:8-11), He now moves to a higher witness. And what is it that He witnesses "with our Spirit?" What grand and notable truth does He confirm to us? The Word of God is precise at this point, not shrouding ultimate reality, but unveiling it to us. The Spirit bears witness with our spirit "that we are the sons of God!"

That "witness" soars far beyond the capacity of both soul and body! It transcends anything that can be experienced by any unregenerate part of our make-up. Here is a truth that cannot be perceived by logical procedure, or intellectual prowess. No! This is a witness our spirit can only receive from the Holy Spirit. Our spirit cannot receive the witness from our head, or intellect. It cannot come from our neighbor, or be seen emblazoned in the sky. It is the Holy Spirit Himself Who bears witness with our spirit, "that we are the children of God."

There is a reason the Spirit bears this witness. It is something we sorely need. No person will overcome the devil or triumph over their own debilitating lusts if they are not sure they are a child of God! On this critical point, doubt is a plundering enemy!

You can learn about George Washington. However, through that knowledge no person unrelated to Mr. Washington can become related to him. How marvelous the capacity of the human spirit. Since it has been recreated in Christ, it is compatible with God's own Holy Spirit. Through that blessed "communion" (2 Cor 13:14) we have our sonship confirmed. The result is confidence and assurance, something soulish knowledge cannot produce!

The utter poverty of a religion of soulish hype is evidenced in the lack of "full assurance" among its constituents. Too often sin dominates such people, either at the level of actual deeds, or at the less-obvious level of thought.

PRAYER POINT: Father, thank You in Jesus' name for the blessed Holy Spirit! His witness is powerful and effective. Grant me grace never to quench or grieve Him, so that I may be sensitive to His indispensable testimony.

-- TOMORROW: THE DISCERNING QUALITIES OF A SPIRITUAL RELIGION --