Symbols Describing the Power of the Spirit - Adapted from Dr. C.I. Schofield’s notes
Many of us love the Lord but we are not fully appropriating the riches we have in our fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, "Those who worship God must worship Him in Spirit and in truth." (John 4:24) Worshiping in the Spirit requires the empowering, enlightening and the instructing of the Holy Spirit. Let us examine some of the symbols used in the scripture to help us fully utilize the fellowship of the Spirit in all aspects of our relationships, activities and personal thought patterns:
Illustration:
l . Water fertilizes and nourishes the weak. The Spirit filled Christians are like watered trees. Psa. 1 :3
2. Water refreshes giving stimulation to the weary and strength to those who are weak. Jn. 4: 14
3. Water is given freely from God for the purpose of giving life. John 7:37,38
4. Water cleanses giving purity to those who are willing to get washed of their impurities. Eph. 5:26
5. Water is abundant as it flows with great force and plenty for all who would drink. John 10: 10
6. Fire gives light to those who realize they are in darkness. John 5:35
7. Fire baptizes by cleansing us from all unrighteousness. Matt. 3: 11
8. Fire purifies away the worthless aspects that cannot stand the test of God’s purification. Mal. 3:2,3
9. Fire burns away the aspects that are unfruitful. John 5:35
10. Fire reveals the hidden aspects as it searches the parts that are covered from view. I Cor. 2: 10
11. Wind is powerful and useful to perform many useful functions. I Kings 19: 11, Acts 2:2
12. Wind revives the dead bones and gives them new life. Ezek. 37:9,10,14
13. Wind is independent and cannot be controlled as God is sovereign. John 3:8, I Cor. 12: 11
14. Wind is invisible but effective even when people do not understand its working. John 3:8
15. Oil consecrates as it dedicates one to be holy, dedicated and anointed only with God’s power. Lk4: 18
16. Oil comforts during the times of great sadness and mourning. Heb. 1:9
17. Oil illuminates those who need a way when there seems to be no way. Matthew 25
18. Oil heals the wounds of those who are hurting. Luke 10:34
19. Rain and dew comes down from God for the sustaining of life in the newness of day. Psa. 72:6
20. Rain is imperceptible like the growth of a plant, but is a gift from God’s hand. Mark 4:26-29
21. Rain refreshes those who are about ready to give up hope. Psa. 68:9, Isa. 18:4
22. Rain is abundant in the way that it is given freely in its season. Psa. 133:3
23. Rain can cause germination and growth in quantity and quality. Ezek. 34:26,27
24. The dove is gentle, harmless and is the fruit of gentle persuasion. Matt. 10:16, Gal. 5:22
25. The still small Voice guides us into all truth as we mature in Christ. John 16: 13
26. The still small Voice speaks conviction, judgment and righteousness. Heb. 3:7-11, John 16:7-11
27. The still small Voice speaks comfort, assurance and encouragement. John 14 26, Matt. 10.20
28. The seal of the Spirit gives us an eternal sense of security. Eph. 4:30, Rev. 7:2
29. The seal of the Spirit authenticates true believers from the counterfeits. John 6:27, 2 Cor. 1 :22
30. The seal of the Spirit secure our down payment on the coming eternal transaction of God. Eph.1: 13,14
31. The Teacher gives only deep, broad, and complete truth without any equivocation. I Cor. 2: 10
32. The Teacher is all-sufficient so that we do not really need to rely on any human for truth. John 14:26
33. The Teacher is unassuming not seeking to exalt Himself above Jesus and the Father. John 16: 13
34. The Teacher is indispensable as only the Spirit can search the spiritual truths. I Cor. 2: 11,14
35. The Teacher enlightens the mind of the simple, ignorant and naive. Eph. 1: 17,18
36. The Teacher quickens the understanding of all aspects of a person’s mind, will and emotions. Isa 11 :2,3
37. The Teacher compares spiritual things allowing believers to have great discernment. I Cor. 2: 13
38. The Teacher reveal hidden things as the Spirit revealed to Simeon by the Holy Spirit. Luke 2:26
39. The Teacher recalls forgotten things that people may need to remember essential facts. John 14:26
40. The Teacher protects us from being slaves to our selfish desires or wrong actions. Acts 16:6,7
41. The Teacher shows us how and when to obey God. Acts 8:26, Isa. 61:1
42. The Teacher speaks to us through personal meditation on the scripture. Acts 10: 19
43. The Teacher motivates us to serve in His power, purposes and processes. Acts 13:2
44. The Teacher reveals great truths to us when we wait upon God in prayer. Luke 2:26
45. The Teacher speaks to us in ways beyond human understanding as we listen to God’s word. Rev. 2:7
46. The Spirit endues us with power to proceed when no human strength is left. Luke 24:49
47. The Spirit quickens and gives us life in abundance. 2 Cor. 3:5,6
48. The Spirit gives all sufficient grace even when we think no resources are available. 2 Cor. 12:9
49. Human zeal or fleshly efforts cannot manufacture the Spirit’s empowerment. Acts 8:18
50. The Spirit’s presence cannot be lost or taken away by human stubbornness. Matt. 5:13, Judg. 16:20
5 l . The Spirit’s anointing is a direct result of our surrender to the Lord and the Spirit’s control . Gal. 5: 16
52. The Spirit’s anointing of the Spirit is only received by faith through prayer. John 7:37-39, John 4: 14
53. The Spirit’s anointing is given for power, witnessing and for the understanding of God’s truth. Acts 1 :8
Conclusion:
Illustrations:A childhood accident caused poet Elizabeth Barrett to lead a life of semi-invalidism before she married Robert Browning in 1846. There’s more to the story. In her youth, Elizabeth had been watched over by her tyrannical father. When she and Robert were married, their wedding was held in secret because of her father’s disapproval. After the wedding the Brownings sailed for Italy, where they lived for the rest of their lives. But even though her parents had disowned her, Elizabeth never gave up on the relationship. Almost weekly she wrote them letters. Not once did they reply. After 10 years, she received a large box in the mail. Inside, Elizabeth found all of her letters; not one had been opened! Today those letters are among the most beautiful in classical English literature. Had her parents only read a few of them, their relationship with Elizabeth might have been restored.
Daily Walk, May 30, 1992.
