Do You Not Know?

One of the most amazing mysteries of Calvary is the tearing in two, from top to bottom, of the temple veil –the veil that prevented man from entering the Holy of Holies. Although the “how” is a mystery, the “why” is not. Christ’s work of redemption on the cross removed the barrier between God and man, ushering in a new era. Those who repented of their sins and placed their faith in Jesus Christ would receive the Holy Spirit, not as an isolated experience, but as a constant presence. Incomprehensible!

The Holy Spirit was active throughout the Old Testament, present in creation, coming and going, directing individuals and events, granting special skill and uncanny wisdom to some. But it appears that His indwelling presence was the exception rather than the rule. In I Samuel 16:13 “…the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward…” Yet in Psalm 51:11 David pleads with God not to take the Holy Spirit away from Him as a consequence of his sin. Other men of God were visited by the Holy Spirit with special knowledge, words, or abilities for a particular purpose in time, limited in scope and duration.

As New Testament believers, however, we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us. I Corinthians 3:16 says, “Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?”

I must admit I have not always known that fact as I should. I have not always recognized the priceless significance of God’s gift of an indwelling Holy Spirit in this present day and time. Concerning the Holy Spirit I have alternately been ignorant, fearful, suspect, and apathetic. In so being I know I have often grieved Him. One of my greatest mistakes has been confining the Holy Spirit to words on a page. He is a living, breathing Being, always present and available, eager to speak in and through me if only I acknowledge Him. He is a Person, the third Person of the Triune God, with attributes and emotions; someone I need to become acquainted with, since He is living here, making Himself constantly available. Over the past few years I have been doing just that –taking time to get to know Him, and I would encourage you to do the same.

Here is a poem I wrote in appreciation of some of the things the Holy Spirit does in me and for me–a feeble human attempt to express Someone who is truly incomprehensible!


Precious Holy Spirit

Precious Holy Spirit
dwelling deep inside my soul
cheering with your presence
making the broken whole
whispering words of comfort
breathing through my fear
holding me in silence
wiping every tear
endowing with Your wisdom
emboldening with power
surprising through Your wonders
every waking hour
strengthening arms for labor
helping in the race
filling days with praise
and nights with amazing grace
counseling in my confusion
guiding through the unknown
allowing peace to clothe me
making this body your home

--Sharlyn Guthrie

Condemned!

Condemned!
-by Sharlyn Guthrie

The Heart speaks

How could you be so ignorant, my friend,
when you agreed your graceless hand to lend?
Did you believe for once you might succeed
-escape misfortune through a noble deed?

Now you have failed, not only to impress,
but to avoid making a royal mess.
Not only did you let me play the fool,
but opened up this heart to ridicule.

Don’t you recall the words you often heard?
Your father, teachers, and your friends concurred.
They said you never would amount to much;
things seem to go to pieces with your touch.

You may as well go lick your wounds and weep,
or throw yourself upon a garbage heap.
Preserve this in your memory and then
you won’t risk trying anything again.

The Spirit speaks

O heart, be still and hear my whispering voice.
You’re my delight; a child of mine by choice.
I saw your unformed substance and I knew
how best to mold you . Please believe it’s true.

The error that you’ve made is very small.
It’s hardly worth your mentioning at all.
So calm your anxious thoughts and right your wrongs.
I’ll salve you with my presence and with songs.

I’ve heard the lies hurled at you, precious heart
-lies striking you just like a flaming dart.
You listen, and yourself harshly condemn.
Who do you think is greater, I or them?

I came to heal you, heart, and bind your sores;
abundant life I offer you, and more.
Draw near with confidence; forget the past.
Let truth assure you that my love will last.

“It is by our actions that we know we are living in the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before the Lord, even if our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.” I John 3: 19-20 (New Living Translation)


It was only a year ago or so that I took notice of these verses as I was reading in First John. The words, “even if our hearts condemn us,” jumped off the page and did a little dance before my eyes. Well, not literally, but I remember stopping and reading those verses over and over again. I finally had a phrase to describe the sense of doubt, guilt, shame, and unworthiness that sometimes tries to swallow me.

Obviously, when I have sinned I have good reason to feel all of those things, but what I’m referring to is not conviction of sin or godly sorrow. It is aptly described here as the voice of my own condemning heart. Even after much soul searching and prayer the feeling of condemnation hangs around, sometimes for days, stealing my joy and threatening to render me ineffective in my witness to others.

I know now that I’m not alone in this experience. Many of us must experience times in our walk with the Lord when the voice of our own heart chisels away at our confidence. Otherwise, John wouldn’t have included these verses in his letter. Isn’t it incredible to know that God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything?