This post is part of my blog series called “Questions People Ask about the Holy Spirit” (#HSQuestions). You are still welcome to submit questions here.
Many Christians have the incorrect (dare I use the H word?) idea that the Holy Spirit only works in Christians.
Even worse, some Pentecostals would say you don’t “have the Spirit” unless you have spoken in tongues. (On their better days, Pentecostals will affirm that all believers have the Spirit dwelling in them [Romans 8:9] and that all believers can be baptized in the Spirit.)
The fact of the matter is, though, the Spirit is even in non-Christians.
1. The Spirit Gives Life
Obviously, since the Spirit is divine, the Spirit is omnipresent. As the apostle Paul wrote, God is “over all, and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:6), and God “fills everything in every way” (Ephesians 1:23).
The Spirit is present throughout all of creation giving life and breath to every human being. The Bible says that “every creature … has the breath/ruach/Spirit of life in it” (Genesis 6:17) and that God “gives breath/ruach/Spirit…and life” to all people (Isaiah 42:5).
On account of this, if God “withdrew his ruach/Spirit and breath, all people would perish together and would return to the dust” (Job 34:14-15; also Psalm 104:29-30).
As Wilf Hildebrandt observes (another Pentecostal Prof), the Bible presents “the Spirit of God as the animating principle of life …When the Spirit is removed from a human being the body returns to its lifeless, inanimate state.”[1]
2. The Spirit Leads and Guides All People
Of course, the Spirit draws unbelievers to Christ, but the Spirit does much more than this.
This thought might make you feel uncomfortable, but the Church has always had a doctrine of common grace, which affirms just this. The problem (for some) is that when we move from a generic term like “grace” and put the name “Holy Spirit” on it, it becomes more real.
How do we know where and how the Spirit is at work among non-Christians? The difficulty of answering this question might seem to suggest that the Spirit isn’t at work in unbelievers.
But the question would be just as difficult to answer if we were talking about Christians.
Wherever the character of Christ is present, there the Spirit is at work. Even more broadly, wherever we see actions that are consistent with the ways that the Spirit works throughout the Scripture, there the Spirit is at work.
So, if my non-Christian neighbor brings me a casserole when my dog dies (I don’t have a dog 🙂 ), I would thank God for working by the Spirit through my neighbor. I also see the Spirit at work inspiring great creativity in works of art and music.
3. The Holy Spirit Reconciles People
I also appreciate the guidance of the Latino theologian José Comblin: “The signs of the action of the Spirit in the world are clear: the Spirit is present wherever the poor are awakening to action, to freedom, to speaking out, to community, to life.”[2]
This makes me think that as messy as the whole process is, the Spirit is at work in Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation movement (concerning the relationships of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians), similar to how the Spirit was uniting black and white Christians at the Azusa Street Revival (1906) and the “Memphis Miracle” (1994).
Some people may want to limit the Spirit to the Church, but I prefer what Jesus had to say: “The pneuma/Spirit/wind blows wherever it pleases” (John 3.8). As a result, I affirm that “every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights” (James 1:17).
The Spirit’s work may indeed be ambiguous in the world, not often being recognized by those in whom or around whom he works, but his work is also ambiguous in the Church” (Hendrikus Berkhof).[3]
Question: What are some ways that you see the Spirit at work among non-Christians? Leave a comment below by clicking here.
You might also be interested in these posts:
- Spirit Baptism in Current Pentecostal Theology: Part 2 – Amos Yong
- The Gifts of the Spirit are not Limited to Charismatics (a video)
- Is Speaking in Tongues Only for a Few? Only for the Gifted?
Andrew K. Gabriel, Ph.D., is the author of Touched by God: Experiencing the Holy Spirit (forthcoming) as well as three academic books, including The Lord is the Spirit. He is a theology professor at Horizon College and Seminary and serves on the Theological Study Commission for the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. You can follow him on Facebook or on Twitter.
[1] An Old Testament Theology of the Spirit of God, p. 196.
[2] The Holy Spirit and Liberation, p. 185.
[3] The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit, p. 104.
Scripture tells us we are all spiritual beings but distinguishes the body(flesh), soul(mind & will) and spirit. It says we are spiritual beings therefore we all have a spirit but that is totally different than the Holy Spirit, who is God in us. The Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us as we seek God accepting and professing our faith in Jesus Christ. Many scriptures tell us ab the battle that forever continues between Spirit and soul bc the Holy Spirit is speaks to us for our guidance and direction helping us to make wise choices, to live a life that glorifies God. The soul is our self serving desires that we feed our flesh regardless of sin. Our soul convinces us to do as we please. Whichever we exercise the most will become dominant over our lives. But it is a daily sacrifice of the desires of our souls. Just as exercising is a continuous commitment. The more we are steadfast in carrying out the commitment the easier and more natural it is. When we give in to the urge to skip out it becomes easier to justify it to ourselves to do it again and then realizing we no longer honor the commitment or exercise and we lose the reward of being fit. We can be believers who haven’t broken our “addiction” to catering to the soul what satisfies our desires and reap the repercussions the same as a non believer. The. Difference is the Christian has the Holy Spirit living within to show us, help us and encourage us. Even though we fail and fall short, He, (the Holy Spirit) never gives up on the believer. A non believer may do good things for many personal reasons but it is by their own free will outside of God and they are usually very quick and prideful to make it known that they act on their own accord w no need from God. Sometimes God uses an unbeliever to play a roll in His plan or as to be a blessing to one of His own as a means to witness or to impress upon ones heart the calling of God.
I agree with @connie magee.
Well said!!
You have stated in the way I wanted to.
I would like to ask for some insight as a “non Christian”. I’ve contemplated God and the universe since I was a child, independent of any religious affiliation. I pray daily and have enjoyed a personal relationship with God since that time. However the past year of my life has presented many wonderful and difficult challenges. Every day, I try my best to be kind (as opposed to “nice”) and give of myself to those who need me. But doing so without an inner replenishment had left me feeling used up and suffering from stress related illness. I’ve repeatedly asked God for guidance and strength but crave what is described as being embodied by the Holy Spirit in the Bible. And yet, I cannot force myself into a belief that I do not feel authentically about. Namely that Jesus was the living son of God, and especially that only those who believe this specifically are saved and enjoy the bounty of God. I have humbly (sometimes desperately) asked, but have not been moved… What’s a girl to do?
Thanks for your comment, Renee. I’ll reply by email.
Searching God is just first necessary step. Learning about His law is another. Once you understand how God perceives what is good and what is evil, you will be able to see yourself as God would see you. You will understand you are sinner who is destined to death and that nothing good is about you. When you truly understand your situation (very pathetic) and you will feel in your heart fear then you will call God for help. Your heart will say to you inside to it mind “God, I am sinner, I don’t deserve to help but I ask for mercy and forgiveness”. By doing this you automatically condemn the evil in you , and God will reveal himself to you, your mind will be renewed and instantly you will know that God exist and Jesus Christ is His son. From now that feeling will be so clear and true you will be wondering how is that possible. This is the effect of Holy Spirit indwell in you. Nobody and nothing can ever take that feeling from you – it’s feeling of unexplainable peace, regardless of where you are and what you do. I became Christian within one day, but I searched for answers for 20 years. Now I still search for answers but the questions are different. Repentance is the key.
Renee, you sound like a beautiful person who loves God and is seeking truth. The difference about Christianity from all other religions is that Jesus’ death in the cross paid the penalty of everyone’s sins past, present and future, for all time! He paid the debt that we can never pay; we all fall short of the glory of God, not one person can uphold God’s laws perfectly, no one is good enough! That’s why God had to send His one and only Son to die for our sins so that we can be made righteous before our holy, perfect God, and have a relationship with Him. This is the most beautiful gift in the universe and it’s free for the taking! Once you accept that gift, the Holy Spirit will indwell you and start to change your heart and transform you. It is embracing His incredible love and sacrifice for us so that we can have a beautiful relationship with our perfect Creator, God Almighty that changes our heart’s desires to align with God’s desires for us. Embracing the free gift of Jesus’s death for our salvation changes us from the inside out!
This is me and my journey right now to the T!!! I’d love to know where you are at now in your journey, hopefully you see this
Another way to process possible goodness in other humans is not via the Spirit working directly through them, but through the idea that this is simply a vestigal expression of the imago Dei. Simon Chan prefers this option, for example, in contrast to what you’re proposing here. Any thoughts in this?
I think the doctrine of common grace would say more than this, and I think of that doctrine really as another expression of pneumatology.
I would like to point that, Spirit of God (His breath) and Holy Spirit are two different things. Adam was brought to life by Spirit of God and filled with Holy Spirit by default. Once Adam sinned, the Holy Spirit left Him and he died as the Bible says. This means Adam died spiritually, he lost Holy Spirit. Men have human spirit which can be filled by Holy Spirit or Evil Spirit (demon possession). In the Old Testament Holy Spirit used to come upon people (or inspire them) temporarily to fulfill certain task, but thanks to Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit may permanently indwell us (believers). Only those who have Holy Spirit can say that Jesus is Son of God. The Bible tells us example when God stirred up King Cyrus’ spirit (human spirit) in order to make him to fulfill a task. This king was unbeliever and probably even unconscious and God’s intention.
There is something bothering me when you say that Adam died spiritually…where did you get that in the bible? What do you mean? Died in the sense that didn’t get to heaven? That God left him? I have a strong feeling that he repented more than any human being…
They all died, including Moses, he was not filled continuously with the Holy Spirit.
About only those filled with the Holy Spirit can say that Jesus is the Son of God is definitely not true.
Even demons say that!
The Spirit convicts everyone, believers and unbelievers, of their sin. Furthermore, both believers and unbelievers may or may not choose to respond to that conviction as God would like to see us respond, i.e. repentance and turning from it
If you distinguish how the Spirit works within the physical body/mind and the spiritual body/soul/spirit, how do you describe those distinctions?
your bible references are way out of context. You are obviously “proof” texting to support an unbiblical social justice, politically correct narrative. The Lord, through bible writers carefully provided context as a critical element of meaning, including time, culture, and language. For example: You misinterpret (Jo.3:3) where Jesus was clearly particularizing, rather than, as you say,generalizing the work of the Spirit in regeneration over against any exaggerated notion of common grace. Romans 8 debunks the idea of the Spirit of Christ leading in political reconciliation other than where God, unquestionably has control of even the unbelieving world, as with Pharaoh et al. Please stop reading between the lines. Stick to the script, so to speak. The author(God) is as plain spoken, clear,and precise as necessary. The Word of God is unchangeable. The gospel is primarily personal and transformative,not collective or,cultural,or conventional or conformative.
Thanks for your comments. I totally agree that the Word of God is unchangeable. To be clear, I am not arguing that all non-Christians are saved. Also, common grace is an established Christian doctrine that is held by the most conservative of theologians–it is not an exaggerated notion.
Gabriel, non-believers do not have the Spirit of Christ in their hearts. The presence of the Holy Spirit is conviction, repentance, forgiveness, restoration and right relationships etc
Hi Joel, I agree with how you have worded your statement.
Thank you Dr. but why’s it like that?
That is an interesting question. What most people, especially non-believers, do not know is that the bible was written by the Holy Spirit for believers. This is critical to understanding the meaning of the text. Also, it is also critical to know what the bible says — New and Old Testament. The answer to your question to Joel is in the bible. The short version is, because that is what the bible says. Read John and Acts as a beginning. in Acts it says that on the day of Pentecost, God sent the Holy Spirit into the Hearts of all Believers. Jesus promised believers that when he left us to go back to His Father, would not leave us alone. He would ask his Father to send the Holy Spirit into our hearts to advocate, the Spirit of Truth, to help you and be with you forever. John 14:15
Beautiful explanation and so much truth in it. thank you for answering tsome life-long questions I had regarding the ongoing work of the Spirit in non-Christians. Adds so much more meaning to my life and ministry and how I see non-Christians. We can begin to love, appreciate and honour them more – as we should. The Spirit truly blows wherever He pleases. May the wind of the Spirit BLOW everywhere more and more! Thank you!
what are the biblical references that say you do not have to believe in jesus to receive Holy Spirit.
You are correct. The Holy Spirit is alive in both the believer and the unbeliever. In the unbeliever, the Holy Spirit’s role is to draw us to Jesus, and salvation; to show us the truth of God and Jesus. He is outside our body.
The Holy Spirit lives in the heart of the believer. His role is to help us understand Jesus: his teaching and his life. He advocates for us, counsels us, loves us, helps us understand the Gospel, show us the truth, gives us Spiritual gifts, helps us grow in the fruit of the Holy Spirt, makes us holy, is our strength, our best friend, the seal to our salvation, and much, much more.
I believe that the Spirit of God works on non-believers (in Christ) externally (sight, sound, etc.). It is my belief that when I receive God, my spirit is born anew with the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Then my spirit, renewed by God’s then teaches my soul (translated ‘heart’ in many Bibles) and fills it. That is why we can receive “the mind of Christ” by the teaching and infilling of our minds (also translated “heart” in many Bibles. He divides our soul and spirit by the infilling of His Spirit (Hebrews 4:12; see Watchman Nee).
The Holy Spirit can not indwell the unbeliever. He is too holy to live in he heart of a sinner.
Can a non Believer blaspheme the Holy Spirit?…my simple question
I’m a non believer and I had a spiritual experience a few years ago which has stayed with me, one that I’ve never been able to explain. A complete sense of happiness, joy, a total understanding of the world, why we are here, how every human in the world is connected to each other and everything around us by an unseen energy. I felt that the individual ego is irrelevant, but collectively each and every one of us is so important and loved. This was our natural state, and all the pain and suffering of the world disappeared in that moment. I felt like laughing out loud, I felt so calm and happy at the same time – and just wanted to tell everyone. But, I didn’t know what it was, and the people I did tell laughingly told me I must’ve been drunk or on drugs. Just to be clear, I wasn’t!
My step son recently joined a charismatic church after a few years of substance abuse. I have never see him so well or happy. He believes in that moment I received the Holy Spirit. But I wasn’t praying or even thinking about god. I was alone, sitting on a hillside, enjoying the sunshine and the countryside views when this feeling simply overwhelmed me. This is the first time I have ever thought about it in the context of the Holy Spirit – and started Googling! And that’s when I found your post.
This is an honest account of my experience. I have only ever read the bible as a child. I used to believe in god but lost my faith when I was 13 or 14 years – not as a conscious decision, but I just stopped thinking about god anymore.
What do you think?
Could be, Louise. I’d encourage you to go to church with your step son and see if you have any similar experiences there.