“But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.’” (Acts 5:3-4 NKJV)
You cannot lie to a force, a power, or influence. That is all some want to make the Spirit out to be. He is seen in Scripture as a Person. He possesses the traits of personhood: reason, emotion, and volition.
• HE THINKS. “But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.” (1 Cor.2:10-11) We see the Spirit searching, considering, thinking. A force cannot do that. A person can.
• HE FEELS. “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Eph.4:30) He can grieve because He feels. How can an impersonal power feel grief?
• HE CHOOSES. “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” (1 Cor.12:11) We see the Spirit exercising His will in distributing spiritual gifts. He influences us in His decisions, but is more than an influence Himself.
These are the descriptions of personhood. As the Father and Son are persons, so is the Spirit. Don’t ever refer to the Spirit as “it” but “Him”—a Person. You can talk to Him and He understands. You can express emotion to Him and He sympathizes. You can seek His guidance and He will convey His will.
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