Simply put, no, the Holy Spirit will never leave a true believer. This is revealed in many different passages in the New Testament. For example, Romans 8:9 tells us, “…if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.” This verse very clearly states that if someone does not have the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, then that person is not saved. Therefore, if the Holy Spirit were to leave a believer, that person would have lost the saving relationship with Christ. Yet this is contrary to what the Bible teaches about the eternal security of Christians. Another verse that speaks to the permanence of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence in the life of believers is John 14:16. Here Jesus states that the Father will give another Helper “to be with you forever.”
The fact that the Holy Spirit will never leave a believer is also seen in Ephesians 1:13-14 where believers are said to be “sealed” with the Holy Spirit, “who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” The picture of being sealed with the Spirit is one of ownership and possession. God has promised eternal life to all who believe in Christ, and as a guarantee that He will keep His promise, He has sent the Holy Spirit to indwell the believer until the day of redemption. Similar to making a down payment on a car or a house, God has provided all believers with a down payment on their future relationship with Him by sending the Holy Spirit to indwell them. The fact that all believers are sealed with the Spirit is also seen in 2 Corinthians 1:22 and Ephesians 4:30.
Prior to Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven, the Holy Spirit had a “come and go” relationship with people. The Holy Spirit indwelt King Saul, but then departed from him (1 Samuel 16:14). Instead, the Spirit came upon David (1 Samuel 16:13). After his adultery with Bathsheba, David feared that the Holy Spirit would be taken from him (Psalm 51:11). The Holy Spirit filled Bezalel to enable him to produce the items needed for the tabernacle (Exodus 31:2-5), but this is not described as a permanent relationship. All of this changed after Jesus’ ascension into heaven. Beginning on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit began permanently indwelling believers (Acts 2). The permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the fulfillment of God’s promise to always be with us and never forsake us.
While the Holy Spirit will never leave a believer, it is possible for our sin to “quench the Holy Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:19) or “grieve the Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 4:30). Sin always has consequences in our relationship with God. While our relationship with God is secure in Christ, unconfessed sin in our lives can hinder our fellowship with God and effectively quench the Holy Spirit’s working in our lives. That is why it is so important to confess our sins because God is “faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). So, while the Holy Spirit will never leave us, the benefits and joy of His presence can in fact depart from us.
It’s not so much that our sin hinders or hurts God as much as it hinders our ability to receive his grace. Nice post though. God Bless!
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My husband and I have often wondered though if someone can lose their salvation. I know a lot of evangelicals are split on this. I honestly don’t know. A very close family member was once a Spirit-filled believer. I saw there was a genuine conversion and new life, even to the point of speaking in tongues. This person wandered from the faith (lots of heartbreak) and once told me that she didn’t even feel convicted about the many sins in her life. It’s been years. I often pray but the life of rebellion/apostasy continues. I wonder if something were to happen where she would go, you know? Jesus said “everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God; but he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.” Luke 12:8-9 So I wonder if he means people, even those who have formerly been Christ-followers, deny him with their lifestyles and whatever, if they will be barred from Heaven? He also said he would ‘spew the lukewarm out of his mouth’. Rev. 3:16
Just interested in your thoughts.
I know my husband and I can remember distinctly, times like David, where sin was separating us from God. But we never got past feeling convicted and awful about it, to the point where there was eventually repentance.
I wonder how someone who genuinely loved Jesus can abandon him and apparently not feel a deep, crushing conviction over it….and also where that person stands with God, you know?
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Hello, Sierra;
I find your questions and comments very well placed and obviously of grave concern and very much legitimate. I think within everyone’s family, and whom are from the Christian faith, know of family members who “just seem to drop out.” In you and your husbands case you were right to repent and turn again to the Lord. Certainly the Holy Spirit was at work when you both felt convicted by whatever you were going through.
I have a post of which might help you both understand better “one loosing salvation due to apostasy. It is located at http://wp.me/p26QNa-2To or you might do a search for the title “If our salvation is eternally secure, why does the Bible warn so strongly against apostasy?” I think you will find some facts there of which will assist both you and your husband understand. I do hope this helps. If not, check back and we will further ourselves in finding you a complete answer (smiling).
May the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob bless and keep you and yours always.
Yours in Christ;
Michael
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P/S:
You have inspired me to post several other articles along this same line of thought. I believe there is a lot to write on and too consider concerning this topic of salvation and what is, and is not, possible when considering it’s loss. All of which posits the question of whether there is such a thing as “Can a Christian lose Salvation?” and “Is there such a things as an ex-Christian?”
We will see, Sierra… smiling.
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