Knowing the Holy Spirit: The Great Difference Between the World and the New Creation.

Living in the Spirit :

John 14:17

«"Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." (John 14:17)»

In John 14:17, Jesus reveals one of the greatest distinctions between the unbeliever and the new creation in Christ. The difference is not merely that one believes in God and the other does not. The real difference is found in their relationship with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus first says that "the world cannot receive Him." The Greek word lambanō means to receive, welcome, or lay hold of. The Holy Spirit can only be received by faith. Since the natural man does not live by faith, he lacks the spiritual capacity to receive the Spirit. As Paul explains, "the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him" (1 Corinthians 2:14). To the world, faith appears foolish, and therefore it remains powerless to receive the Spirit of God.

Jesus continues by saying that the world "seeth Him not." This is not referring to physical sight but to spiritual discernment. The unbeliever cannot perceive the Holy Spirit, recognize His activity, or understand His ways because he is spiritually blind.

More importantly, Jesus says the world "knoweth Him not." The word translated "know" is the Greek word ginōskō, which speaks of personal, experiential, and intimate knowledge. It is the same word used by Mary in Luke 1:34 when she said, "I know not a man," referring to intimate marital union. Jesus is teaching that the world has no personal fellowship or intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit.

Then comes the glorious contrast:

"But ye know Him."

Jesus did not say, "You know about Him." He said, "You know Him." Every believer has been brought into a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit. Under the New Covenant, He no longer merely comes upon people temporarily; He permanently dwells within every child of God. He is our Teacher, Helper, Comforter, Guide, and Counselor.

Yet this verse exposes a sobering reality.

Many believers today are not living very differently from the world in their practical relationship with the Holy Spirit. This is not because the Holy Spirit is absent from them. Every genuine believer has the Holy Spirit dwelling within. The tragedy is that although He lives in them, many do not truly know Him in their daily experience.

There is a great difference between having the Holy Spirit dwelling in you and knowing Him intimately.

Relationship begins at the new birth, but intimacy is cultivated through fellowship.

Many Christians know the doctrine of the Holy Spirit but cannot describe a living fellowship with Him. They rarely recognize His voice, seldom discern His inward witness, and have little conscious communion with Him throughout the day. Though the Holy Spirit lives within them, He remains almost a Stranger in their experience.

This was never God's intention.

The Holy Spirit did not come merely to occupy the believer's spirit as a silent Resident. He came to enjoy fellowship with us, to teach us, guide us, comfort us, strengthen us, and reveal Christ continually to our hearts.

Like every healthy relationship, intimacy grows through time spent together. We cultivate intimacy by meditating on God's Word, praying, worshipping, responding to His promptings, and learning to recognize His still, small voice speaking within our regenerated spirit. As we obey Him, our spiritual sensitivity increases, and His leading becomes increasingly familiar.

The consequence of neglecting this intimacy is serious.

When a believer has not cultivated fellowship with the Holy Spirit, he will naturally depend on human reasoning, personal feelings, past experiences, outward circumstances, or the opinions of others whenever important decisions arise.

This becomes especially evident when seeking God's will in matters that Scripture does not specifically address. The Bible clearly reveals God's moral will, but it does not tell us whom to have a relationship with, where to live, which career to pursue, when to relocate, or what specific ministry assignment to accept. In such matters, the believer must learn to discern the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Without intimate fellowship, many believers sincerely desire to obey God but struggle to distinguish His voice from their own thoughts, emotions, ambitions, or fears. Consequently, they rely on natural wisdom rather than the inward witness of the Spirit.

God never intended the Christian life to be directed merely by logic, emotions, or circumstances. He intended His children to be led by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

The great privilege of the new creation is not simply that the Holy Spirit lives in us, but that we may know Him personally. The world cannot receive Him, cannot discern Him, and cannot know Him. The believer, however, has both the privilege and the capacity to enjoy intimate fellowship with Him.

May we never be content with merely knowing that the Holy Spirit dwells within us. Let us pursue a living, daily, and intimate relationship with Him until His voice becomes familiar, His leading becomes natural, and His will is discerned from within. This is the life of the believer who truly walks in the Spirit.