4 Common Misconceptions about the Holy Spirit – Part 2

Misconception #2 - YOU HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU DID OR DO

I say first that it is essential for Christians to portray holiness in carriage, conduct and conversation. God wants us to live holy. Mankind wants it too.

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (1 Peter 1:15-16 KJV)

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (2 Corinthians 7:1 KJV)

Follow peace with all [men], and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: (Hebrews 12:14 KJV)

1Th 4:3  For this is the will of God, [even] your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

However, you do not have the Holy Spirit because of something YOU did or do. Why then do you have the Holy Spirit? Let's see that from the bible (and not from the unrenewed mind)

And BECAUSE YE ARE SONS, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (Galatians 4:6 KJV)

So why do you have the Spirit of His Son?
"Because ye are sons"… Simple!

Another reason?

(But this spake he of the Spirit, which THEY THAT BELIEVE on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet [given]; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) (John 7:39 KJV)

So the Spirit was given BECAUSE JESUS HAS NOW BEEN GLORIFIED, and you have believed on Him. Faith is key here.

Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the [Holy] Spirit as the result of obeying the Law and doing its works, or was it by hearing [the message of the Gospel] and BELIEVING [it]? [Was it from observing a law of rituals or from a message of faith?] (Galatians 3:2 AMP)

Then does He Who supplies you with His marvelous [Holy] Spirit and works powerfully and miraculously among you do so on [the grounds of your doing] what the Law demands, or because of your BELIEVING in and adhering to and trusting in and relying on the message that you heard? (Galatians 3:5 AMP)

In fact, you do not have the Holy Spirit because you ASKED or PRAYED earnestly. Yes! Jesus said the Father will give the Spirit to any that ask Him (Luke 11:13) but it is not in answer to your prayer you have the Spirit now, but in response to Jesus' prayer and RIGHTEOUSNESS.

And I {Jesus} will PRAY THE FATHER, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (John 14:16 KJV)

Because there is NO criterion for obtaining the Holy Spirit: a man receives the Spirit, not by His doings of the Law but by faith.

So, no believer is "IN NEED" of the Holy Ghost! The believer is not to "desire" to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Why? You don't desire to have what you have, do you? If I have so much money that I'm the world richest man, can I ever "wish" or "pray" that I should have money? If you are born again, you already HAVE the Spirit. To ask for "more Holy Ghost", "fuller Holy Ghost", "refilling" is only another subtle voice of unbelief in you. What you have is ALL that may be had of the Spirit – "without measure". (John 3:34)

Now the response of each believer to the Spirit may be different. That is why not all believers seem to manifest the abilities of the Spirit. The believer who is fulfilling the works of the flesh is doing so because he is not walking in the Spirit, not because He is void of the Spirit. (Gal 5:16). ALL believers have the Spirit. Don't get intimidated in any way by how some believers have reacted in the Holy Ghost to begin to contemplate changing your confession. Don't forget it is "by faith". YOU ARE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT IF YOU ARE BORN AGAIN! "Let us hold fast the profession of [our] faith without wavering; (for he [is] faithful that promised;)" (Hebrews 10:23 KJV). Oh! "let God be true, but every man a liar" (Romans 3:4 KJV) It is one Spirit in us all by one and the same sacrifice! (Eph 4:4-6).