The Holiness of The Holy Spirit

The Holiness of The Holy Spirit
By Don Vess

There is often a misunderstanding of the Holy Spirit, yet His very name offers us a significant clue: He is *Holy*. What does it mean for the Holy Spirit to be holy? For many, holiness means separation or purity, but it is so much more. The Greek word for "holy" is *Hagios*, meaning something sacred, awe-inspiring, and consecrated. When we speak of the Holy Spirit, we are referring to the sacred essence of God Himself.

### Isaiah’s Encounter with Holiness
In Isaiah 6, we see the prophet Isaiah’s awe-inspiring vision of God’s holiness:
> *“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with His glory!”* (Isaiah 6:3 NLT).

Isaiah was overwhelmed by the sight of God’s splendor. The seraphim, angelic beings, covered their faces in the presence of His holiness, and Isaiah himself was undone, realizing his own sinfulness in the presence of such purity. God’s holiness was too great for any to approach without trembling reverence. The Spirit of God carries this same holiness.

### The Trinity and the Holy Spirit
We are made in God’s image as a trinity—spirit, soul, and body. Jesus reminded the Samaritan woman that worship must be in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). The Holy Spirit, as part of the Godhead, works within us to transform us into His likeness. As Paul writes:
> *“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom... being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory”* (2 Corinthians 3:17-18 NIV).

God the Father remains in Heaven, Jesus the Son intercedes for us at His right hand, and the Holy Spirit is with us, dwelling within believers, guiding, empowering, and comforting us. He is not just a force, but a Holy Person deserving reverence and respect.

### The Story of Ananias and Sapphira
In Acts 5, we see a sobering reminder of the Holy Spirit’s holiness through the story of Ananias and Sapphira. They lied about the sale of their land, not to men but to the Holy Spirit. Their deception led to their immediate death. The lesson is clear: the Holy Spirit is not to be trifled with. His presence in the church is holy, and He demands integrity and honor.

> *“How could you lie to the Holy Spirit?... You weren’t lying to us but to God!”* (Acts 5:3-4 NLT).

### You Are the Temple of the Holy Spirit
Paul, writing to the Corinthians, emphasizes that we, as believers, are now the temple of the Holy Spirit. This means that God's holiness resides within us, and we are called to live in purity:
> *“Your body is the temple of the Spirit of Holiness who lives in you. You don’t belong to yourself... You were God’s expensive purchase... use your body to glorify God”* (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 TPT).

The Holy Spirit is not only here to guide us but also to sanctify us, making us holy as He is holy. As the Spirit of God dwells in us, we become a reflection of His holiness to the world. This holiness should inspire awe in the enemy, for God's presence resides within us.

### Go in His Power
Understanding the holiness of the Holy Spirit changes the way we live. We are no longer bound by sin or darkness; we are called to live holy lives that reflect the purity of the Spirit within us. Paul urges us to "throw off your old sinful nature" and "put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy" (Ephesians 4:22-24 NLT).

This holiness compels us to go and make disciples, as Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:19. We carry the life and power of the Holy Spirit wherever we go, fulfilling His mission with reverence and awe for the One who dwells within us.

### Conclusion
The Holy Spirit is not just a force or influence—He is the Holy Presence of God in us. His holiness demands our respect, obedience, and devotion. Let us live in a way that reflects the awe-inspiring, sacred nature of the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to transform us from glory to glory. As HIS temple, we are called to be holy as HE is holy, and to carry HIS presence into the world with reverence and power.

> *"Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like GOD—truly righteous and holy" (Ephesians 4:23-24 NLT).*