One of the guiding principles of the church I am currently serving is that we are guided by the Holy Spirit. We are grounded in the Word, unified in the faith, girded in prayer, and guided by the Holy Spirit. If we are grounded in the Word then why do we need the Holy Spirit? Shouldn’t we just do what the Bible says?
Unfortunately, in some churches we act as though that were true. Someone once said, “It is amazing what the church in America can do without the Holy Spirit.” That is a condemnation, not a commendation. The wealth and independence of the western church has, in some cases, almost replaced the Holy Spirit with money, education, and government protection. But, there are several reasons why the Holy Spirit is absolutely necessary. I will not be able to address them all, but let me start with two.
First, we need to be guided by the Holy Spirit because it is the Holy Spirit that convinces, or convicts, “the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment” (Jn 16:8). Laws do not accomplish that. Governmental protection of the church does not accomplish that. Truthfully, even apologetics (reasoned arguments that defend our faith) do not convince the world. It is the Holy Spirit that draws people to faith. It is the Holy Spirit that convinces people of the truth of sin, righteousness, and judgment. It is the Holy Spirit that changes people’s hearts. Jesus told Nicodemus, in John 3:6, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
I have watched polished presentations of the gospel combined with methods of manipulation lead to people coming forward in a meeting, but I always wonder whether that is the Holy Spirit moving them, or simply the methods. Manipulating people into praying a prayer is not evangelism. True heart change starts with the Holy Spirit moving in people’s hearts. If God is truly drawing someone to faith, we don’t need to manipulate them to come forward. If God is not drawing them, then what is the point? “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (Jn 3:6).
We need to be guided by the Holy Spirit because effective evangelism starts with the Holy Spirit. Second, we need to be guided by the Holy Spirit because he is the one who guides us “into all truth” (Jn 16:13). It is the Holy Spirit who moved individuals to write the Scriptures. “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 Pet 1:21). The Holy Spirit who moved men to write the Bible is the same Holy Spirit who dwells within each believer and gives understanding. Bible study methods are important. We can’t make the scriptures say whatever we want them to say. We need to learn to read Bible passages in context, and understand how language works in order to understand it well. But that does not mean that we do not need the Holy Spirit. I have met individuals who knew the Bible well, but it made no difference in their lives. For them it was simply an academic study. It is the Holy Spirit who opens our eyes and our hearts to the truth that we are reading. It is the Holy Spirit who gives insight into what we are studying. It is the Holy Spirit who brings conviction, instruction, and training through the Word that he inspired.
There are more reasons why we need to be guided by the Holy Spirit, but these two ought to be enough to make us realize that church without the Spirit is just empty religion. Effective evangelism starts with the Holy Spirit. Effective Bible study starts with the Holy Spirit. For all of our “effective” methodology, we are lifeless and dead without Him. Jesus said, “It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you” (Jn 16:7). That Helper is the Holy Spirit. We are not alone.
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