Can the Holy Spirit leave a believer?

There are differing views about this question, as to whether the holy Spirit can leave a believer in Christ or not. Some people are of the opinion that the Holy Spirit left certain old testament figures and can still leave a Christian today. The people from the other camp also says that the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in a Christian is permanent. These are two contradictory viewpoints which cannot be reconciled. One view is consistent with the scriptures, whiles the other is in antithesis to the truth of the gospel. For this cause, I will labor in the word in order for the truth of God's word to be established.

The Holy Spirit dwelt temporarily in the Old testament saints

Prior to the incarnation of the Son of God, the Holy Spirit came upon certain individuals and departed from them at will. A typical example, was Saul who was the first king among the children of Israel. Upon his disobedience to the instructions of God, God rejected him and his Spirit departed from him: ''Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul''-- 1 Samuel 16; 14. The Holy Spirit left King Saul which is an indication that the abiding presence of the Spirit was not yet permanent. 

King David after he acknowledged his sins, cried out to God in prayer and said: "Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me"-- Psalms 51; 11

David feared that God will cause his Spirit to depart from him like Saul, for that reason he prayed this prayer. This also reiterates the point that the presence of the Holy Spirit in the O.T was transient.

The indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in the New testament is permanent 

There is a change in dispensation. Before, the Holy Spirit could depart from certain people, but under the new covenant established by the eternal blood of the Lamb, the Holy Spirit dwells permanently in believers.

Jesus said this: I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever-- John 14; 16

This promise was fulfilled after Jesus ascended to heaven and sent forth the Holy Spirit to dwell within his people permanently (Acts 2). Jesus did not say the Helper will be with them for a moment, but he uses "forever". 

Apostle Paul also wrote this: In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation-having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory-- Ephesians 1; 13-14

We are God's redeemed people and he has sealed us with the Holy Spirit of promise. To be sealed signifies ownership, meaning we are God's very own. God has also promised to give us an inheritance kept secure in heaven. But in the meantime, he has made a down payment or a deposit which guarantee that we shall lay a hold of the inheritance, and the Holy Spirit is that deposit, this means that the Holy Spirit cannot leave us.

Paul also wrote by the Spirit: Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption-- Ephesians 4; 30

We are instructed not to grieve the Spirit, and we also have the assurance of the sealing of the Holy Spirit unto the day of the redemption of our bodies. If we are sealed by the Holy Spirit for the day of the redemption of our bodies, then how is it possible for him to leave us?

The moment we trusted in Christ for salvation, that selfsame hour we received the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit. I agree that the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives can be hindered because of sin, but to say he can leave or depart from us is to fall into grievous error. God bless you 

A thought to ponder 🤔 

The moment we trusted in Christ for salvation, that selfsame hour we received the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit

We defend and exposit the truth of the gospel

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