Witness of the Holy Spirit

By Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel

1John 5:9-10 “If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. “

Our journey with the Holy Spirit is all about faith. It is important to understand that without faith, we can’t please God. Our relationship with Him is based on our belief in Him and His teachings. If we lack this belief, we’re essentially contradicting His word, and it hinders our ability to walk in harmony with Him.

This lack of belief implies that we’re accusing God of deceit, suggesting that He is untruthful. This assertion dishonors Him in every conceivable way. Those who truly embrace God’s word, especially about salvation and eternal life through faith in Christ alone, experience an inner confirmation from the Holy Spirit. Genuine believers possess an inner assurance regarding the reality of Christ’s presence within them and their standing in Him. As a result, they’re not plagued by doubts about their salvation, and they confidently know where they stand with God.

1 John 5:1 “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.”

The above verse is a testament to the fact that God knew that there would be individuals who would tamper with the message of grace and inject human wisdom into it, making it their version of a “self-help” gospel. Anyone who has put their faith in the Lord Jesus as their savior is guaranteed eternal life. There is no need for any additional actions or requirements – this is the testimony of God. The testimony of God states that because we are His children, He has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father!” (Eph. 4:6).

Here are some tips for having a close relationship with the Holy Spirit, which allows Him to reveal everything you have in Christ and who you are in Him.

• • Be quick to repent and ask for forgiveness when you are wrong. King David is a great example of this. Whenever he was confronted with a sin he committed, he would admit it and ask for forgiveness. Having a humble heart like his is what God wants from us. Defending yourself when you are wrong is not only prideful but also dishonest. Blaming others for something that is solely your fault to present a false image of your character is hypocritical. Remember God resists the proud but gives more grace to those who humble themselves and seek forgiveness (James 4:6).
  •  It is also important to quickly forgive others and ourselves when we get offended because we all make mistakes. Matthew 5:23-24 “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”
  •  Believe God’s words. It creates fellowship with Him. The Bible says that two cannot walk together unless they agree. Unbelief is evil and draws us away from God. Heb 3:12 “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.”

 

Understanding the witness of the Holy Spirit in us is an important truth every Christian needs to learn Rom 8:16-17 “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs — heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”

Let us discuss how the Holy Spirit bears witness in us.

• • This assurance of His peace within us guides our steps into peace. Luke 1:79 “To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” This inner peace isn’t tied to anything physical or emotional. It doesn’t rely on what you can see or feel. It’s a gift from the Holy Spirit, which is why it’s often called God’s peace. It settles deep within you, sometimes without any clear reason, but you just know it’s there to stay. When you feel this peace, it’s like getting a nod of approval from God. But beware! Not every decision that seems good comes with this inner peace. That’s a warning sign! If you’re unsure, stop and pray. Don’t move forward until you feel that peace settling on your decision. Sometimes, this peace remains even when your mind or emotions are in turmoil. That’s because our human understanding isn’t always reliable. We tend to feel secure when things seem logical or we’ve sorted them out, but it’s better to let the One who sees the future guide us (Proverbs 3:5-7). It’s crucial to take this instruction seriously because as the bible says in Proverbs 16:25: “There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death”
  • Another way the Holy Spirit guides and assures us is through the Scriptures. Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path“. Through the Scriptures, we receive guidance on what to believe because they are the inspired word of God, illuminated by the Holy Spirit. This same Spirit also bears witness within us. In 1 John 5:11-12, it is affirmed that God has granted us eternal life through His Son. Whoever believes in Jesus as the Son of God becomes a child of God and receives eternal life according to Scripture. This assurance is confirmed by the Holy Spirit through the peace He instills within us.  

 

These are the blessings you receive as a child of God, which He wants you to understand and embrace through faith. Jesus paid for them all.

1. 1. The first and most significant privilege is the forgiveness of sins, made possible by the atonement of Jesus’ blood. Without this forgiveness, there would be no hope for fallen humanity. We would remain condemned, facing the consequences of our sins (Acts 13:38).
   2. We have the privilege of healing. It is our legal right in Christ (Isaiah 53:4).
   3. Freedom from the powers of Satan, sin, and the world. Col 1:13 “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son”
   4. Lastly, our youth is renewed. Just as there were no feeble individuals among the children of Israel in the Old Testament, there should be no feeble ones now under the new and superior covenant established by the blood of the Son of God (Psalm 103:5).

Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel is the Senior Pastor of Fountain Of The Living Word Church, New Jersey.

Resources You May Like

1. The Work of the Holy Spirit Within You Pt.2)
2. Walking in Partnership with the Holy Spirit
3. The Sword of the Spirit