Be Ye Holy: The Holy Spirit's Role in Our LivesSample

One of the most comforting promises Jesus gave about the Holy Spirit is found in John 14:16: "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you." Unlike the Old Testament, where the Spirit would come upon people for specific purposes and could depart (as happened with Saul), believers in Christ have the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

This eternal presence transforms our daily lives. The Holy Spirit is not just with us during spiritual moments or church services—He's with us always. Picture it practically: the Holy Spirit is present in every conversation, every decision, and every struggle.

Let me share a personal illustration. Once, while recording a video, my sister sat quietly in the corner of the room, watching and observing. No one else knew she was there, but she was beaming with joy as she watched her little sister (I'm the baby of the family). Similarly, the Holy Spirit is present with us in everything we do—not as a distant observer but as an active participant in our lives.

Even though the Holy Spirit dwells within us, sometimes it helps to visualize Him sitting right beside you, observing how you worship, how you consecrate yourself, how you walk away from sin, and how you spend time growing deeper in the truth He wants to reveal to you. He desires to show you so much, but it requires setting aside time to be with Him.

The Holy Spirit’s permanent presence connects to our eternal destiny. In Obadiah 1:17, it says, "But on Mount Zion there shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions." The New Jerusalem will be called "the holy place," just as people today call Israel "the holy land." Holiness is not a temporary standard or passing phase; it is the eternal character of God's kingdom.

This eternal perspective should shape how we live now. When we understand that the Holy Spirit will never leave, we realize that holiness isn't just about following rules but about living in relationship with the person of the Holy Spirit. Our daily choices either honor or grieve this permanent, personal presence in our lives.

As believers, we're called to represent God to a world that doesn't want Him, doesn't know it needs Him, and may ultimately reject Him. Yet through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, we carry God's light into dark places, His truth into confusion, and His love into brokenness.

Though we may sometimes feel isolated or rejected because of our commitment to holiness, remember that we're not alone. The Holy Spirit is with us, and He's connecting us to all those throughout history and around the world who have chosen to be set apart for God's purposes.

One day, when the New Jerusalem comes and "the holy place" is established, we will join with all believers, crying out: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty!" Until then, we live as citizens of that coming kingdom, carrying its holy culture into a world desperately in need of truth.

Final Prayer: Father, thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit—for the Holy Spirit, who lives within me. Help me to be ever conscious of His presence, to listen for His guidance, and to honor His holiness in the way I live. May I represent Jesus faithfully to the world around me, even when it means standing apart. Thank You that the Holy Spirit will never leave me and that He continually leads me into all truth. In Jesus' name, amen.

If you enjoyed this reading plan, you'll love the complimentary guided journal I've created called "Where to GROW from Here?: A 14-day Guided Journal and Quiz" to help you grow in your walk with God. Take the quiz and grab your journal HERE.