Ed Horak's Blog

 

          In order to fully enjoy the divine advantage we have been given by the Holy Spirit living inside of us as our comforter and helper, we must continually get to know Him better. God takes natural symbols or familiar material emblems to unfold new spiritual realities about the Holy Spirit).

Romans 1:20

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead

 

 Get to know the Holy Spirit better through symbols

Consider the following examples: water, wind, fire, wine, oil, clothing and the dove.

 

 The Holy Spirit symbolized by water

Isaiah 44:3

For I will pour water on him who is thirsty,

And floods on the dry ground;

I will pour My Spirit on your descendants,

And My blessing on your offspring;

John 7:37-39

“If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive;

          As water is vital for physical life so is the Holy Spirit for spiritual life and vitality. Out of the heart or belly are the issues of life. The Holy Spirit’s influence in your life is like a river flowing out into ‘dry’ circumstances.

           Rivers also speak of movement: something characteristic of the Holy Spirit’s operation. He is always moving, and never stagnant. His dealings can be recognized as He shapes the landscape of your heart and mind to become more like Christ. Like flowing river water has the capacity to carry debris along with it, and even rub off sharp edges making smooth stones, so too the Holy Spirit has the capacity to remove filth from your life, and even smooth off rough edges in your personality.

Ezekiel 36:25-27

Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.

          Rivers also speak of productivity. The Holy Spirit will produce fruitfulness in your life when you yield to His dealings.

Revelation 22:1-2

1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

           Water comes in different forms: rain, dew and vapor. For water to condense as droplets of rain or even dew overnight, certain atmospheric conditions must apply, the primary one being cooling. In the stillness and cooling of night, symbolic of difficult circumstances, the refreshing and life sustaining ‘dew’ of the Holy Spirit can distill out to bring life into dry situations (Hosea 14:5). Look for the Holy Spirit reassurances, especially in difficult situations. Be calm, rest from your own efforts to make something come to pass, and let God have His way in the attendant silence.

          Remember, speaking in tongues is evidence of surrender and activates the strengthening or edification ministry of the Holy Spirit in your life. So make a practice of speaking in tongues daily and enjoy the refreshing effect. It’s like taking a spiritual shower, bath or swim.

           The covering ministry of the Holy Spirit is described as a ‘cloud’ by day (Exodus 13:22) sheltering the Israelites of old from the hot desert sun on their journey to the Promised Land. In like manner, see the Holy Spirit sheltering you from the ‘heat’ of adverse circumstances as you progress on your spiritual journey.

           One final point about water. The rainbow has seven distinct colors or aspects, as does the Holy Spirit.

 Revelation 4:5-6

And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

           Most commentators attribute the following seven characteristics of the Holy Spirit to His ministry: teacher, advocate, counselor, guide, strengthener, comforter and intercessor. Once again, get to know the Holy Spirit in the multiplicity of His grace. There is always more to explore.

 

 Wind, fire and wine as symbols of the Holy Spirit

Acts 2:1-4, 13

Now when the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

 13 Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”

           All three symbols are connected to the Spirit’s outpouring on Pentecost: wind, fire and wine. The wind is the ‘breath’ of God that when it blows has a sound. There is a particular sound to God’s voice. It carries peace, comfort, strength, power, healing or whatever you need at any particular moment. The wind can be mighty like a gale, or like a gentle breeze but always appropriate for the need of the moment. The Holy Spirit will speak to you in a tone and with the intensity that is suited to your situation. When you need healing and comfort when you are bruised, He will be gentle. When you need loud correction when in danger, He will be more forceful. Learn to discern by practicing your listening skills.

          With fire comes light, heat and even cleansing. The spiritual light we are given by the Holy Spirit must be set on a hill for all to see. Jesus said that we are the ‘light of the world’ (Matthew 5:14), and must shine in dark places. Let the Holy Spirit embolden you to let your light shine. In the coldness of life’s difficulties, you can also provide warmth and comfort through the Holy Spirit to people needing comfort.

          Also, be open to the cleansing and purifying effect of the Holy Spirit in your life. If you let him, he will ‘burn’ up things that are impure. The fires of heaven will burn up the fires of hellish situations that may be burning in you or those you love. For example, in 1666 AD the city of London England was ravaged by bubonic plague carried by rats. A great fire broke out and burnt up significant parts of the city. However, as a result, many rats were killed and the bubonic plague stopped. A ‘cleansing’ took place that, in the long run, saved the city. In like manner, there may be a ‘fire’ of adverse circumstance burning in your life, that can be cleansed if you are ‘set on fire’ by the Holy Spirit.

Malachi 3:2-3

“But who can endure the day of His coming?

And who can stand when He appears?

For He is like a refiner’s fire

And like launderer’s soap.

3 He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver;

He will purify the sons of Levi,

And purge them as gold and silver,

That they may offer to the LORD

An offering in righteousness.

Matthew 3:11-12

He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

           In addition, when the disciples spilled out into the streets on the day of Pentecost, and the locals mockingly thought they were drunk with wine, Peter corrected them by referring to Joel’s prophecy of the Holy Spirit’s outpouring.

          Wine as a Biblical symbol speaks of refreshing, stimulation and abandon to God’s purposes. Obviously wanton drunkenness is to be avoided, but Spirit filled abandon is to be encouraged.

 Ephesians 5:18-21

And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.

           Joy is to characterize your life, and not bitter vinegary expressions of prideful and empty religion. Your heart is like a wineskin that must be soft and supple to receive and contain the ‘new wine’ of The Holy Spirit. Old ways and attitudes must make way for the joyful new.

Luke 5:37-39

And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the wineskins and be spilled, and the wineskins will be ruined. 38 But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved.

 

 Oil as symbol of the Holy Spirit

          In the story of the ‘good Samaritan’ the unfortunate traveler who fell among thieves had oil and wine poured into his wounds the Samaritan. This speaks of the the new birth and infilling of the Holy Spirit bringing about recovery from trauma. The trauma of sin that has affected all mankind needs to be dealt with by a twofold operation of the Holy Spirit. The wineskin of our broken hearts must be restored and softened before receiving new wine. So there is the new birth experience then the Holy Spirit baptism or infilling.

Luke 10:34

So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine…

          Oil is used as a symbol of anointing for service. The prophet Samuel anointed King David with a horn of oil (1 Samuel 16:13). Jesus, the king was anointed for service (Acts 10:38), and the early disciples were continually refreshed with an ‘oil change’.

Psalm 92:10

10 But my horn You have exalted like a wild ox;

I have been anointed with fresh oil .

Acts 3:19-20

Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

Acts 4:31

And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

          They recognized this and yielded to these times of refreshing and were “re’- filled with the Holy Spirit time and again. They had previously been born again and baptized in the Holy Spirit, but still felt the need in this threatening situation to be ‘refilled’ with the Spirit, a ‘topping up’ if you please.

 

 The dove as a symbol of the Holy Spirit       

Matthew 3:16-17

When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.

           The Holy Spirit is likened to a dove in Jesus baptism, and in keeping with the first direct mention of the dove in scripture, is used to speak of the peace He always brought to any situation. (Olive branch of peace that the dove brought after the flood of judgment began subsiding – Genesis 8:7-12). After all, Jesus is described as the prince of peace! (Isaiah 9:6). In your life if ever you want to recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit look for peace, that’s where He will be.

           Then, like a dove broods over its eggs in order to bring forth new life, the Holy Spirit in you broods over new things he wants to bring forth in your life. He is gentle and protective and will speak comforting and encouraging things to you.

          The dove in the natural is faithful to its one mating partner, is gentle and is able to keep its eyes focused. The Holy Spirit in turn is faithful to never leave you, is gentle and controlled, and keeps your eyes focused on Jesus (John 14:16 / Isaiah 42:1-4 / Matthew 6:22). It is also ‘harmless’ or as is implied in scripture ‘unmixed’ or innocently unmingled.

Matthew 10:16

“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

           Your witness in the world must reflect the purity of a dove like holiness. That is something only the Holy Spirit can give you. Your enemy, the devil, is unholy in all that he does, and you and I must cooperate with the Holy Spirit to be set apart from evil in all we say and do. Allow the inner seed of positional holiness given to you at the new birth to grow into the fruit of practical holiness as the ‘divine dove’ gains more and more control over your life.

Philippians 2:14-15

Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless , children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,…

It is fair to say that the apostle Paul was a seasoned minister of excellence. He mentored Timothy the young pastor of the large citywide Ephesian church estimated by some to be in the tens of thousands. Timothy was young but called and chosen for the great responsibility that faced him. There is much to learn from the tips Paul gave to Timothy. 

Remain committed to your calling  

As I urged you when I went into Macedonia–remain in Ephesus… 1 Timothy 1:3 

Things started well for Timothy, but in time, he was tempted to move on, finding some reason to validate his desire to move on. Paul wrote and gave instruction that he was to remain in Ephesus and be committed to his call there. Often our spiritual victory is a matter of outlasting the enemy. We are instructed elsewhere to stand our ground, fully covered with God’s armor when satan seeks to move us off our base. That is why it is a good idea to write the vision, so that in time when uncertainty creeps up, you can clearly remember the direction the Lord gave you. 

Prioritize Prayer 

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,…1 Timothy 2:1-2 

Paul had come to understand that his ministry stood or fell on prayer. He had learnt to pray unceasingly in a lifestyle of devotion and intercession. His apostolic prayers are common to the letters he wrote, and he exhorts Timothy to also prioritize prayer before all else: “first of all.” Busyness, even hard work, is no substitute for believing prayer that invokes God’s insight, foresight, strength, provision, and protection in all ministry effort. 

Be forewarned about people around you will ‘depart’ 

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith,… 1 Timothy 4:1 

Discouragement can set in when those around you ‘depart from the faith.’ If you are not careful their lack of faith can influence your faith, and you need to set a guard against the enemy who will lie about ‘something being wrong’ with what you have been ministering. After all, if what you have been ministering is all OK, how come so and so has now fallen behind?It is comforting to know that even under Jesus’ perfect teaching, some disciples turned back (John 6:66). So be aware of the enemy’s wiles. 

Be prepared to stir things up 

Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you… 2 Timothy 1:6 

There is a natural tendency for the general spirit of intimidation, and the flesh to have a “settling” effect. God has placed in each one of His ministers, gifts that must be stirred up. Faith is an active pursuit of God’s will against opposition. It always involves a fight, and a fight requires spiritual effort. Through time, if you are not alert, you can “throttle back” and put up with the ordinary. God is never ordinary, and when we are walking closely with Him things can never be humdrum. Moreover it is your responsibility to stir up the gift within you through remembrance, prayer, confession and use. God will not do it for you. 

Be sure to associate with genuine believers 

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!2 Tim 3:1-5 

It is naïve to think that all people who show up in and around your ministry are genuine. It would be nice to think that everyone you minister to has a pure heart for the Lord. However, if you do not discern who and what they really are like, you can be taken in and suffer harm. Paul instructs Timothy to turn way from such people, knowing the danger that comes through tolerating such end time selfishness.Notice that these are not rank sinners ‘out there’ but people who have the ‘form’ or outward trappings of godliness, much like the Scribes and Pharisees of Jesus’ day. They were outwardly clean looking, but inwardly devoid of all real life. ‘Whitewashed tombs’ Jesus called them. Paul warns Timothy about such religious hypocrites that appear to be one thing outwardly, but inwardly really are another type of person. 

Be skillful in using the scripture 

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 

God has built into scripture all that any minister needs in fulfilling the good works God has planned out for him. There is no use in trying to find some gimmicky approach to ministry that is separate from a solid and sound preaching of the scripture. Skillful preaching takes into account the four key directions preaching and teaching can and should take. All word ministry includes some doctrine or teaching; some reproof or rebuke; some correction of error, and some instruction or training in the ‘how to’s’ of living in the righteousness Jesus has given to us.Ministers of excellence apply the needed emphasis of the word to fit the situation. Ministry should be specifically targeted, not just thrown out there hoping that something will stick. 

Keep your focus on sound wholesome teaching 

Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season.2 Timothy 4:2 

The flesh can become bored with wholesome food, seeking after a while, things that are ‘spicy’ and new. Paul warns Timothy that if he is not watchful he can be tempted to lose his focus and cater to the ‘itching ears’ of his hearers rather than what he knows to be sound doctrine.As a minister of excellence realize there are ‘seasons’ when people you minister will ‘turn away from the truth’ and go after more fanciful teaching. It is in these seasons that you must remain faithful to what God has given to you, and fulfill your ministry. Avoid trying to compete with those that appeal to the listener’s carnal desires. Be ready in season and out of season. Keep your ministry simple and steady.