Sufficiency of the Holy Spirit

Puritan: John Owen

Source: Communion with God

Originally Delivered: 1657, England

The Lord’s Day: July 26, 2026

“The Holy Spirit enables believers to obey cheerfully, willingly and patiently to the end.

In a word, in all that concerns us in this life and in all our expectation of another life, we will always stand in need of the comfort and strength of the Holy Spirit.

Without the comfort and strength of the Holy Spirit, we will either despise afflictions or collapse under them and God’s purpose in sending them to us will be defeated.

Without the comfort and strength of the Holy Spirit, sin will either harden us so that we treat it with contempt, or else cast us into despair and so we neglect the gracious means that God has graciously provided us with to defeat it.

Without the comfort and strength of the Holy Spirit, duties will either puff us up with pride or leave us without that joy which will encourage us to further obedience.

Without the comfort and strength of the Holy Spirit, prosperity will make us worldly and sensual in finding contentment in these things and so weaken us for the day of trial.

Without the comfort and strength of the Holy Spirit, the comforts of our loved ones will separate us from God and the loss of them will turn our hearts to stone.

Without the comfort and strength of the Holy Spirit, the poverty of the church will overwhelm us and the prosperity of the church will not concern us.

Without the comfort and strength of the Holy Spirit, we shall not have wisdom in our work, nor peace in any condition, nor strength for any duty, nor success in trial. Nor will we have joy and comfort in life, nor light in death.

How sad, then, is the condition of those who know nothing of the Spirit as Comforter.

To persuade a poor, sinful soul that God in Jesus Christ loves him, delights in him, is well pleased with him and only has thoughts of kindness towards him is an inexpressible mercy.

This is the special work of the Holy Spirit.”