The
Anointing of the Holy Spirit Within Us vs. The Government of the Holy Spirit
Outside Us
James 1:2-4 "My brethren,
count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect
and complete, lacking nothing"
1 Peter 4:12-13 "Beloved,
do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you,
as though some strange thing happened to you; but
rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings"
|
Category |
The Anointing of the Holy Spirit
Within Us |
The Government of the Holy Spirit
Outside Us |
|
Meaning |
The Holy
Spirit's direct operation, inspiration, and guidance within believers'
hearts, anointing and saturating our souls like oil |
The Holy
Spirit's discipline and cultivation of believers through external
circumstances, people, events, and things to mature their lives |
|
Origin |
From God's
sweet movement in love, His original intention and grace |
God's
unavoidable additional work when believers do not submit to the inner
anointing, to make believers obedient |
|
Main Distinctions |
• Internal,
direct work •
Gentle inspiration and guidance • Active
grace work • Sweet
experience |
• External,
indirect work • Discipline
and correction through circumstances •
Passive responsive work • Painful
but beneficial experience |
|
Examples |
• The
Spirit's inspiration and reminders • Inner
peace or unrest • Illumination
and conviction of sin •
Spiritual guidance and revelation • Operation
of the law of life |
•
Illness
and trials • Interpersonal conflicts • Work or life difficulties • Failures and setbacks • Environmental persecution |
|
Application |
• Learning
to obey the Spirit's inspiration •
Cultivating spiritual sensitivity • Waiting
on the Lord in prayer • Receiving
illumination through Scripture • Practicing
intimate fellowship with the Lord |
•
Learning lessons in suffering •
Accepting God's discipline without complaint • Recognizing
God's will through circumstances • Expanding
life's capacity • Being
conformed to Christ's image through trials |
|
Related Detailed Scriptures |
1 John 2:27 "But the anointing which you have
received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you;
but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things" Romans 8:14 "For as many as are led by the Spirit of
God, these are sons of God" Romans 8:16 "The Spirit Himself bears witness with
our spirit that we are children of God" Galatians 5:16 "I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you
shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh" Ephesians 4:30 "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of
God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption" |
Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work
together for good to those who love God" Hebrews 12:10 "For they indeed for a few days chastened
us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of
His holiness" Hebrews 12:11 "Now no chastening seems to be joyful for
the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable
fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it" 2 Corinthians 4:17 "For our light affliction, which is but
for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of
glory" |
|
Ultimate Goal |
To mature
believers in Christ, obtaining God's life and nature |
To expand
believers' life capacity, being conformed to the glorious image of God's Son |
|
Cooperative Relationship |
Both work
together: those who obey the inner anointing need less
external government; those who violate the inner anointing need
more external discipline to bring them to submission |
|
Important Notes:
l According to the emphasis
in Colossians 1:28,
the apostles' work goal is to "present every man perfect in Christ."
This maturity requires not only the Holy Spirit's
anointing work within us, but also the Holy
Spirit's governmental work outside us.
l The Holy
Spirit's anointing within us is a sweet movement in God's love, from God's
original intention; while the Holy Spirit's government outside us
is an unavoidable work in God's hand, God's additional work.
l The key to maturity lies in the expansion of capacity,
which requires accepting the sum total of the Holy
Spirit's government. Every arrangement from God is an opportunity to expand our
spiritual capacity.
*Please refer to the 2025 Memorial Day Blending
Conference. General Topic: Preparation of the Bride. Chapter 3: Maturity of the
Bride.
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