What the Bible says about the Spirit

THE SPIRIT DEFINED

The spirit is defined ultimately as the power of the LORD God. A variety of English words are used in the Old and New Testaments for the word spirit from the original languages of Hebrew and Greek. For example, the following English words are used depending on the context: spirit, wind, breath, mind, life and ghost (KJV).

The concept of the spirit is also used to describe exhalation, vital principle and mental disposition and also carries the idea of expression and function of a rational being.

THE SPIRIT IS GOD’S NATURE AND POWER

The LORD God, the Creator is spirit. It is His essence, and also conveys His power.

Key Bible Verses:

John 4:24  "God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."

Genesis 1:1-3 "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without formand void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light."

THERE IS ONLY ONE SPIRIT

God is spirit and there is only one spirit.

Key Bible Verse:

Ephesians 4:4 "There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call."

GOD’S SPIRIT/BREATH GIVES LIFE AND RESULTS IN DEATH WHEN REMOVED

Key Bible Verses

Psalm 104:29-30 "When you (God) hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath they die and return to their dust. When you send forth your Spirit, they are created and you renew the face of the ground."

Ecclesiastes. 3:19-20  "For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath (spirit) and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity. All go to one place. All are from the dust and to dust all return."

THE SPIRIT HAS A VARIETY OF APPLICATIONS

There is only one spirit, but various manifestations or specific uses of that one power, such as holy spirit, spirit body or physical nature, a person’s state of mind, power/mind of the truth, the word of God.

Holy Spirit

Holy spirit is not a proper name, but simply the combination of the words “holy”, meaning “set apart” and “spirit” as defined primarily as God’s power. It is the same spirit as mentioned in the Old Testament and concentrated under Divine will for the bestowal of divine gifts and the accomplishment of Divine results, such as miracles. The following are two examples of the use of the holy spirit: Ability to speak in other languages, and Inspiration of the Bible.

Speaking in other languages: “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:4)

Inspiration of the Bible: “For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:21)

Spirit Body of Incorruptible Physical Nature

The Bible makes a clear distinction between a “natural, corruptible body” and a “spiritual, incorruptible body.” At the resurrection of the dead in the future at Jesus’ return, Jesus will change the natural body of the believers to an incorruptible spiritual body, therefore granting eternal life.“So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.” (1 Corinthians 15:42-44)

State of Mind

The “spirit” is used when speaking of a person’s state of mind such as a person having a “haughty spirit” ,a “good spirit” or an “unclean spirit. “

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18)

“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!” (Psalm 143:10)

“For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit ”(Mark 5:8)

“And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.” (Mark 5:15)

Power/Mind of the Truth

The spirit is used in terms of the way a person thinks leading to action. The thinking of the flesh is opposed to the thinking of the spirit. To develop the mind of the spirit results in Jesus granting a person eternal life. In Galatians 5:16-25, we are told what these two ways of thinking look like. 

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:5-6)

The Word of God

The word of God, which is the Bible reveals the mind of God and is described as the spirit. As shown above in 2 Peter 1:21, the Bible was “inspired” by God in that God gave the writers the words to write. Jesus said, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” (John 6:63)

“and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:17)