The Spirit of God

"Without the Spirit of God we can do nothing. We are as ships without wind or chariots without steeds. Like branches without sap, we are withered. Like coals without fire, we are useless. As an offering without the sacrificial flame, we are unaccepted."  - Charles Spurgeon

Why does Scripture often say that God possess human attributes, such as eyes, a mouth, ears, hands, etc.? When Scripture expresses God in this way, it's done for the benefit of our weak understanding, and to instruct us in truths that would be unthinkable, otherwise.

God doesn't have any bodily form, because a spirit is not a body. If this is indeed the case, then what is it..? A spirit is a being that is not visible, nor is it bound by space or time. For that reason, our soul is also considered a spirit.

Without ever leaving our bodies, our spirits can whisk us away to elicit and even relive times in our past. The spirit of man thinks and judges, chooses and rejects, has hopes and fears, rejoices and mourns, loves and hates.

The angels are similar spirits. An angel from God quickly brought Daniel the answer to his prayer (Daniel 10:12). "He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants," says the Psalmist (Psalm 104:4). And so, God, too, is an invisible spirit; though much higher, supremely greater, and infinitely perfect.

Man's spirit is a personal existence, angels are spirits and personal beings, and God is also a spirit and a personal Being. Thus, He says: "I am the Lord your God." Note that God says, "I am"  because He is certain of His existence. No inanimate object can make the same declaration.

He is aware of the difference between His personality and that of others. God speaks and commands, punishes and rewards, and is quite conscious of His own Personality. But, God is the highest and most perfect Spirit (John 4:24). He is the only God; there is no other.

He is the living God (Daniel 6:26), who has life in Himself, never having received it from elsewhere. He is the Author and Giver of life (Acts 3:15; 1 Timothy 6:13). All other spirits are created, but He is the Father of spirits, the only Creator and Sovereign Spirit, the Most High.

Scripture: Job 33:4; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Ephesians 1:13; John 6:63; Romans 8:14

Prayer: Dear Lord, lead me by Your Spirit, guide me into all the truth, and strengthen me with Your Almighty power. Amen.

May God always bless you!

Judith