Day 10: Don’t Scare the Holy Spirit Away

There are very few things apart from the actual death and resurrection of Jesus which are recorded in all four gospels but this is one of them—that Jesus is the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit. And yet for centuries the church has said so little about Jesus as the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit.

Let’s read John 1: 32–34, John the Baptist says:

“I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him (Jesus). I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”

What are the characteristics that a lamb suggests to us, in the light of Scripture? I would suggest there are three: purity, meekness and sacrifice—that is, a life laid down. That this is what attracts the dove, the Holy Spirit. That’s where He’s going to settle and where He’s going to remain.

Jesus was always sensitive to the Holy Spirit. He never scared Him off. The Spirit remained on Him. But what about you and me? Once Jesus has baptized us with the Holy Spirit, are we sensitive to Him the way Jesus was? Therefore, let’s consider briefly, the things that attract or repel the Spirit in our own lives. Some of them are stated in Ephesians 4:29–32:

“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

What are the things that grieve the Holy Spirit? Unwholesome words, bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and slander. All these are contrary to the nature of the lamb.

What are the things that attract the Holy Spirit? Kindness, tenderheartedness, mutual forgiveness. You see, when He doesn’t find the lamb nature, he cannot abide. The key to having the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit with us is to cultivate the nature of the lamb.

Reflect: It is possible to grieve the Holy Spirit by my words and attitude, but it is also possible to develop a Christ-like character that is attractive to Him.