effects of the spirit

John Piper highlights four effects of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

1. The Holy Spirit gives new life.

John 6:63: “It is the Spirit who gives life.” How? By causing the new birth. “Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. . . . That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:3, 6). The first great saving effect of being baptized in the Holy Spirit is to be born again.

2. The Holy Spirit makes us not just life-getters, but also life-givers.

John 7:38-39: ““Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit.” The Spirit not only makes us alive; he makes us life-giving. He flows out of you like a brimming spring.

3. The Holy Spirit witnesses to Jesus.

John 15:26: “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.” We will have much to say about this glorious internal witness of the Spirit to Jesus Christ, but suffice it say for now, that if any of you sees Christ as compellingly worthy and true, it is because of the work of the Spirit in your life. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 12:3, “No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except in the Holy Spirit.”

4. The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus.

John 16:14: “When the Spirit of truth comes . . . He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” The all-integrating work of the Holy Spirit is to cause us to see Jesus as magnificent.

HT:AW