The Scriptures declare, “Be filled with the Spirit.” (Eph. 5:18) How void of meaning would this expression be if the Holy Spirit were a person! But when we recognize that it is simply the power, or influence, of God, exercised in the Christian life largely through his written Word, then we can understand how it is possible to have either more or less of the Spirit influencing our lives. To be filled with the Spirit calls for an emptying of self and self-will, and a diligent application of ourselves to the study of God’s Word and to putting into practice all of its righteous precepts.

In the Scriptures, Christians are also said to be “sealed” by the “Holy Spirit of promise.” (Eph. 1:13) God’s Spirit directed the minds of the prophets in writing the Old Testament in which are recorded many promises vouchsafing God’s blessing upon his faithful people. The New Testament was also written under the direct inspiration of the Spirit, or power of God, and it contains additional promises by which God guarantees victory through Christ for every faithful follower of the Master. Thus he “seals” us by his promises; that is, he assures us that if we are faithful to him he will give us grace to help in every time of need, and in the resurrection will give us a crown of life.

The word “witness” is also used in connection with the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Christians. His Spirit bears witness with our spirits, the apostle tells us, “that we are the children of God.” (Rom. 8:16) This, too, is a very understandable matter. Throughout the Spirit-inspired Scriptures are outlined the various steps and experiences of Christians who are faithful in doing God’s will. Those who find that God is blessing them along the lines outlined by the Spirit through his Word, have thus the witness of the Spirit that they have been accepted into the family of God through the begetting of the Holy Spirit, and thus are sons of God.