The question of whether a Christian can lose the Holy Spirit is an important one. Some believe that once you receive the gift of the Holy Spirit at salvation, He sealing you for eternity. Others believe it is possible to drive the Holy Spirit away through persistent, unrepentant sin. What does the Bible teach on this issue?
The Permanence of the Holy Spirit
There are several passages in Scripture that emphasize the permanence of the Holy Spirit’s presence in the life of a believer:
- Ephesians 1:13-14 states that when we heard the word of truth, the gospel of our salvation, and believed in Christ, we were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. This sealing of the Spirit is “the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it.”
- Ephesians 4:30 commands us not to grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom we “were sealed for the day of redemption.” This indicates God has sealed believers with the Spirit until that future day.
- 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 similarly states that God “establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”
- Romans 8:9 tells us that if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. Verse 11 indicates that the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead will give life to our mortal bodies through His presence in us.
- 1 Corinthians 6:19 states that our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in us.
These verses make it clear that if we belong to Christ through faith, we have the permanent, secure gift of the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our inheritance in Him. He is the seal of our salvation.
Warnings Against Rejecting the Spirit
At the same time, there are also several sobering passages that warn believers about rejecting or grieving the Holy Spirit:
- 1 Thessalonians 5:19 warns us not to quench the Spirit.
- Ephesians 4:30 tells us not to grieve the Holy Spirit of God.
- Hebrews 10:29 warns that someone who deliberately keeps on sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth will be subject to much worse punishment. It states that such willful sin shows contempt for the Spirit of grace.
- The parable of the sower in Matthew 13 and Luke 8 includes rocky soil where the seed of the gospel springs up quickly but then withers away because the soil is shallow. This represents those who initially receive the word with joy but then fall away because of trouble or persecution.
How do we reconcile these scriptures? If the Holy Spirit permanently seals believers, how is it possible for some to later reject Him through unbelief or willful sin?
The Solution: Perseverance of the Saints
The solution that best reconciles these passages is the Reformed doctrine of the perseverance of the saints. This teaches that genuine believers will always persevere in faith because of the preserving work of the Spirit. Though we may stray for a season, God will complete the work He began in bringing us eternal salvation (Philippians 1:6).
1 John 2:19 explains that those who ultimately fall away from the faith, rejecting Christ, were never truly born again in the first place: “They went out from us, but they were not of us.” Their faith was only temporary, not grounded in regeneration by the Spirit. But true saints will repent when convicted of sin, evidence the fruit of the Spirit, and continue believing (1 John 3:6-9).
While we may grieve or quench the Holy Spirit through sin, He will chastise us and correct us, drawing us back to repentance. We can never lose our salvation, for we are “sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). But we can cause the Spirit sorrow through resisting His leading, and stray for a time from walking in the Spirit into grievous sin.
As 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 instructs us, do not quench the Spirit or treat prophecies with contempt, but test all things, hold fast to what is good, and abstain from sin. This reveals the Spirit’s work in our lives drawing us toward holiness.
Biblical Examples
Biblical examples illustrate these principles:
- David: Though David grievously sinned, when confronted he repented in Psalm 51, evidencing the Spirit’s work in his life. God disciplined him, but his salvation was secure.
- Peter: Peter denied Christ 3 times, yet repented and was restored. His faith persevered by the Spirit’s power.
- Corinthian church: Paul rebuked the Corinthians sharply for sins like sexual immorality. But He reminded them of their status as saints, reaffirming the Spirit’s presence, and called them to repent and walk obediently.
- Hebrews 6: This passage warns of those who fall away to worthless and irreversible spiritual ruin. Yet it’s clear these denied Christ but never truly embraced Him in saving faith, not losing salvation they possessed but showing they never were regenerated by the Spirit.
These examples confirm believers can temporarily stray through grievous sin yet endure by the Spirit’s grace. The Spirit never leaves those He has sealed for eternity.
Practical Exhortations
Consider the following applications from Scripture for walking in step with the Spirit day by day:
- Ephesians 4:30 tells us not to grieve the Holy Spirit through sins like bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, and malice. Yield to the Spirit’s conviction and guidance to avoid these.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 provides excellent instruction for living by the Spirit’s power: Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, do not quench the Spirit, do not treat prophecies with contempt, test all things, hold fast to what is good, abstain from every form of evil.
- Galatians 5:16-25 contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit, urging us to walk by the Spirit and bear His fruit like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.
- Romans 8:5-17 reminds us that setting our minds on the Spirit brings life and peace. He leads us as God’s children, bearing witness that we are saved when we cry “Abba Father!” We have victory over sin and death by His power as we submit to His leading.
All believers will struggle with sin at times. But the Spirit’s presence ensures we will persevere by His grace. Do not assume you can willfully indulge in sin without chastisement or conviction. But when you do sin, turn quickly to the Spirit in confession, repentance, and renewed dependence on His power to live obediently.
Conclusion
In summary, true believers who have received the gift of the Holy Spirit by grace through faith in Christ are eternally secure. Their salvation is guaranteed, sealed by the Spirit Himself. But we can still grieve the Spirit through persistent sin. As His children, He will discipline and correct us when we rebel. By His power, we persevere in faith and holiness, not perfection but direction. We should strive to walk in step with the Spirit, yielding to His conviction and bearing His fruit.
The Holy Spirit will never leave a genuine believer. But we can resist His leading, quenching His work in our lives. As we submit to Him each day, He empowers us to endure and sanctifies us to be more like Christ. By His grace, we will cross the finish line of faith, sealed by the Spirit for eternity.