Can The Holy Spirit Leave
The question we are seeking to address is, “Can the Holy Spirit Leave?” after He has filled a believer in the new birth. Before Jesus fulfilled His mission on earth His words to the disciples was, “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever” (John 14:16). Jesus was their comforter, so when He spoke of another comforter, He was referring to another person who is the Holy Spirit. Note Jesus said He (the Holy Spirit) would abide with you forever.
Now you might ask, “What if someone, having received the Holy Spirit at the New Birth, backslides and feels that the Holy Spirit has left him or her, is this just a feeling or can the Holy Spirit leave out of frustration with all the sin the person has committed?” First of all, God is not a man (Numbers 23:19) nor does he act like some earthly parents who would refuse to relate with their kids just because they did something wrong. Sadly this is how many believers perceive God to be.
The Holy Spirit is not going to leave you just because you did something wrong. Remember that you were not made right with God because of your own righteousness. You became righteous because God gave you His righteousness. His presence with you is dependent on His infallible Word and His boundless love and not what you did right or wrong, or perhaps the way you feel. That is the reason why He will never leave you no forsake you.
God through the Holy Spirit abides with you forever and not sometimes. People misinterpret His presence with feelings. Don’t consider what your feelings tell you. As long as you have not wilfully rejected Christ and His finished work on the Cross of Calvary, the Holy Spirit cannot and will not leave you!
My beloved, even when you do wrong and you feel the Holy Spirit has left you, it is still the Holy Spirit who guides you unto repentance. This proves His presence with you at all times. If He were to leave you, you could never return to Him. But He wouldn’t, because He’s with you to fulfil His ministry and God’s will for your life till Jesus comes.
