The Holy Spirit: On Our Flesh, In Our Spirit – Understanding the Divine Presence:

The Holy Spirit: On Our Flesh, In Our Spirit – Understanding the Divine Presence:

As believers in Christ, the Holy Spirit is an integral part of our lives, empowering us, guiding us, and conforming us to the image of Christ. However, the Bible speaks of the Spirit being both “on” individuals and “in” them. Understanding this distinction is crucial for grasping the fullness of God’s presence in our lives.

Let’s first consider instances where the Holy Spirit is described as being “on our flesh.” In the Old Testament, we see examples of this. Numbers 11:25 recounts, “Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. And as the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But they did not do so again.” Here, the Spirit came upon the elders for a specific purpose – to prophesy and assist Moses in leading the people. This was a temporary empowering for a particular task.

Similarly, Judges 6:34 states, “But the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon, and he sounded the trumpet, and the Abiezrites were called out to follow him.” The Spirit “clothed” Gideon, equipping him with the strength and courage needed to lead Israel in battle. This anointing was for a specific mission and demonstrated God’s power working through an individual.

These instances highlight that the Spirit being “on our flesh” often signifies an outward manifestation of power and gifting for a particular service or purpose. It’s a divine enablement that equips individuals to accomplish God’s will in a tangible way. This can include gifts of prophecy, healing, leadership, and other abilities demonstrated through our physical bodies – our “flesh.”

Now, let’s turn our attention to the Holy Spirit being “in our spirit.” This is a hallmark of the New Covenant, inaugurated by Jesus Christ. John 14:17 speaks of the Holy Spirit as “the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” Jesus promises a deeper, more intimate presence of the Spirit within believers.

Romans 8:9 further clarifies this: “You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.” Here, the indwelling of the Spirit is presented as a defining characteristic of a believer. It’s not just an external empowering but an internal transformation.

The Spirit dwelling “in our spirit” signifies a permanent and personal union with God. It speaks of regeneration (Titus 3:5), where our spirit is made new and becomes the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). This indwelling brings about spiritual life, conviction of sin, guidance into truth, and the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). It’s the very essence of being a new creation in Christ.

So, why the difference? The “on our flesh” experience in the Old Testament was often temporary and focused on specific tasks, demonstrating God’s power through individuals for particular purposes. The “in our spirit” experience in the New Testament, however, is a permanent indwelling that signifies our union with Christ, our spiritual rebirth, and the ongoing work of the Spirit in transforming our hearts and minds from the inside out.

While we may still experience the Spirit’s power “on our flesh” for specific acts of service and the exercise of spiritual gifts, the foundational reality for every believer in Christ is the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit “in our spirit.” This intimate and permanent relationship is the source of our strength, our hope, and our ability to live lives that honor God.

Let us continually seek both the empowering presence of the Spirit for Kingdom work and nurture the indwelling presence that transforms us from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18). May we be ever mindful of the precious gift of the Holy Spirit, both on us and in us.