Symbols and the Holy Spirit
Symbols help us understand the invisible reality of the Holy Spirit and His works. One of the most profound symbols is Living Water, which represents the refreshing and life-giving presence of the Holy Spirit.
The Living Water
Water symbolizes the Holy Spirit. Just as natural water refreshes, quenches thirst, and gives life, the Holy Spirit refreshes, quenches our spiritual thirst, and gives us abundant life. As water renews and revives, the Holy Spirit revitalizes us.
Scriptural Reference
Jesus answered her, ‘If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water…” (John 4:10-14). This passage illustrates how Jesus offers us Living Water to quench our spiritual thirst.
Cleansing and Refreshing
Just as water cleanses us, the Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier, cleanses us when we allow Him. The Holy Spirit wonderfully refreshes you. Walking with Him and waiting upon Him brings you refreshment.
Calling Upon the Holy Spirit
When you feel tired, you need a simple touch of the Holy Spirit to refresh you. Simply call upon the Holy Spirit, and He will touch you. If you have walked with the Lord for some time now, it will not take more than a minute. Just saying from the heart, “Holy Spirit, I Love You!” refreshes you.
Invitation to Receive the Holy Spirit
“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ And let everyone who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift,” (Revelation 22:17). This highlights the invitation to drink from the Living Water freely.
The Seal of the Holy Spirit
“In him, you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, received the seal of the promised Holy Spirit .” (Ephesians 1:13-14).
Assurance and Pledge
The Word of God tells us that every believer has the seal of the Holy Spirit. This seal assures us of what God will do in our lives.
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption,” (Ephesians 4:30).
Spiritual Mark
This seal is like a down payment, a pledge of our inheritance. It serves as a spiritual mark on our lives.
“He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee,” (2 Corinthians 5:5).
Blessings and Protection
The seal assures us of the things to come. It marks us for His blessings.
- We are marked to be protected by God’s power (1 Peter 1:5).
- We are marked to be taught by the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:13).
- We are marked to be led from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18).
- We are marked for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30).
Jesus and the Seal
The Gospel tells us that Jesus had a seal on His life.
Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal,” (John 6:27).
Invisible but Powerful
The seal of the Holy Spirit remains invisible to the world but visible to the spiritual world of powers and authorities. It acts like an engagement ring, promising the things to come. The seal signifies God’s presence in our lives. The sign of God’s favor is His presence with us.
But it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has commissioned us; he has put his seal upon us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee,” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22).
The Oil of the Holy Spirit
Oil commonly symbolizes the Holy Spirit in the Bible.
Anointing with Oil
“Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward…” (1 Samuel 16:13).
The Bible also tells us that the Prophet Samuel anointed Saul with oil. King David in Psalm 23:5 says, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” This speaks of the Holy Spirit’s anointing on his life.
Oil’s Symbolism
The like oil, fills all areas of our life, flowing from head to toe. The oil of the Holy Spirit brings favor into our life, blessings from earth and heaven.
“But you have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox; you have poured over me fresh oil. My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies; my ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants,” (Psalm 92:10-11).
Oil in Daily Life
Smooth Flow
Like oil lubricates machines to make them run smoothly, the Holy Spirit’s oil makes our life flow smoothly in good and bad times.
Keeping the Flame Alive
In the Old Testament, God commanded the lamp to be kept burning regularly.
“You shall further command the Israelites to bring you pure oil of beaten olives for the light so that a lamp may be set up to burn regularly,” (Exodus 27:20).
Being ‘In’ the Spirit
We are called to burn always. Scripture reminds us to be ‘ablaze in the Spirit’ or ardent in the Spirit. The wick in the lamp cannot burn by itself; it needs to be in the oil. Similarly, to burn in the Spirit, we need to be ‘in’ the Spirit. To know the oil of the Holy Spirit in your life, you need to walk in communion with Him.
