You hear people talk about the Bible “quickening the spirit” all the time, but have you ever stopped to think about what that phrase actually means? In this post we’ll explore the origin and meaning behind this common Bible expression.
Getting to the root of “quickening spirit” will help deepen your understanding of some key Biblical principles.
We’ll look at how this term is used across both the Old and New Testaments.
Understanding the original meaning behind the words can sometimes get lost in translation, so we’ll dig into the original languages too.
Get ready to come away with fresh insight that will help the Word come alive in a new way.
You just might find yourself making “quickening the spirit” part of your regular vocabulary when talking about the transformative power of Scripture.
Understanding “Quickening” in the Bible
The word “quickening” appears several times in the Bible, referring to God giving life or renewing life.
When the Bible talks about the “quickening Spirit,” it means the Holy Spirit gives new life in Christ.
The Holy Spirit quickens us by awakening our spirits to the truth of Christ.
Before we’re born again, our spirits are “dead” to God.
But when we accept Jesus as Savior, the Holy Spirit regenerates our spirits, making us alive to God.
This is a supernatural act – we can’t make ourselves spiritually alive any more than we can physically raise ourselves from the dead.
It’s only by God’s grace, through faith in Christ, that we’re quickened.
Being quickened means you’re no longer spiritually dead and unresponsive to God.
You now have a vital, thriving relationship with Him.
The Holy Spirit dwells within you, guiding you into truth, strengthening you, and bearing fruit through your life.
Of course, although we’ve been quickened, our flesh is still subject to sin.
But we can walk by the Spirit and not carry out the desires of the flesh.
The more we surrender to the Spirit’s leading, the more He can shape us into Christ’s image and work through us for God’s glory.
What an amazing gift to be made alive in Christ and filled with His Spirit.
If you’ve been born again, rejoice that God has quickened your spirit.
And rely on His Spirit within you each day to overcome sin and spread the light of Jesus to this dark world.
By His power working in us, God will use our quickened spirits for His eternal purposes.
What Does It Mean for the Spirit to Quicken?
The phrase “quickening spirit” refers to the Holy Spirit bringing new life – giving you a fresh revelation of God’s Word.
When the Spirit quickens the Bible to you, it means He’s breathing new life into familiar passages, allowing you to see deeper truths you’ve never seen before.
Illumination
The Spirit illuminates your mind, giving you insight and understanding into scripture.
It’s like a light bulb turning on in your head as you grasp something you’ve read many times but never fully comprehended.
The Bible comes alive as the Spirit reveals how it applies to your life.
Conviction
The Spirit uses the Bible to convict you of sin, righteousness, and judgment.
As you read God’s Word, the Spirit points out areas where you need to repent and make changes to align with God’s will.
His conviction leads to repentance and renewal.
Direction
The Spirit gives you guidance and direction through the Bible.
As you pray over scripture, He highlights certain passages to lead you into truth and show you the path He wants you to take.
The Spirit uses the Bible as a map to keep you heading in the right direction.
Transformation
When the Spirit quickens the Bible, He transforms you.
God’s Word exposes selfish motivations and renews your mind, changing the way you think and live.
The more time you spend in scripture, the more the Spirit conforms you into the image of Christ.
His power working through the Bible radically transforms you.
The Spirit longs to bring the Bible to life for you each day.
As you read and pray over God’s Word, the Spirit will open your eyes to new insights and understanding.
He quickens scripture to transform your life.
Keep seeking the Spirit, and watch as He illuminates your path one verse at a time.
Examples of the Quickening Spirit in Scripture
The Bible mentions several instances of the quickening spirit at work.
For example, in John 6:63, Jesus says, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” Here, Jesus is explaining that spiritual matters are more important than physical ones.
The spirit gives life, while the flesh alone is useless.
In 1 Corinthians 15:45, Paul writes, “And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.” Paul is contrasting Jesus as the “last Adam” with the first man, Adam.
While Adam was made a living being, Jesus became a life-giving spirit through his resurrection.
Jesus imparts new spiritual life to those who believe in him.
Another example is in Psalm 71:20, where the psalmist says, “Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.” The psalmist expresses his faith that God will revive and restore him, even from the depths of despair.
The quickening spirit gives new life and renewal.
In Romans 8:11, Paul writes, “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” Here, Paul is teaching that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead also gives life to our mortal bodies.
The quickening spirit makes us spiritually alive in Christ.
These are a few examples that demonstrate how the Bible uses the phrase “quickening spirit” to represent new spiritual life, revival, and renewal through Jesus Christ.
By the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be made alive in Christ.
The quickening spirit breathes new life into our mortal lives.
The Quickening Power of the Holy Spirit
When you accept Jesus as your savior, you receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit brings life to your spirit, filling you with power and purpose.
This is known as “quickening” — making alive.
Through the quickening of the Spirit, you are awakened to new life in Christ.
Your eyes are opened to spiritual truths in Scripture that you never understood before.
You develop a hunger for God’s Word and a desire to know Him more intimately.
The Spirit stirs your heart with compassion for others and a yearning to share the Gospel.
The Spirit Empowers You
The Holy Spirit also gives you power to live a victorious Christian life.
He strengthens your inner being so you can resist temptation and overcome sin.
He fills you with courage and boldness to step out in faith.
The Spirit enables you to use your spiritual gifts to build up the church.
A Life Led by the Spirit
As you yield to the Holy Spirit, He will lead you into the life God has planned for you.
He will guide your steps, open and close doors, and align your circumstances according to God’s will.
Living a Spirit-led life is not always easy, but it’s the most fulfilling way to live.
You can have confidence that the Spirit will never lead you into anything contrary to the Word of God.
The Holy Spirit wants to quicken your spirit today.
Ask Him to revive your passion for Christ and empower you with His life-giving power.
Open your heart to His leading and guidance.
As you walk in obedience to the Spirit, you’ll experience the abundant life that Jesus promised – a life of purpose, joy, and eternal significance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Quickening of the Spirit
What does it mean to be quickened in the spirit?
To be quickened in the spirit means to be made alive in your spirit by the Holy Spirit.
Your spirit, which was once dead to God because of sin, is awakened and brought to life.
The Holy Spirit renews your mind and gives you a sensitivity to spiritual things.
You gain a deeper understanding of God’s Word and a desire to obey Him.
Being quickened opens you up to receiving guidance, comfort, and power from the Holy Spirit.
How do I experience the quickening of the Holy Spirit?
First, you must accept Jesus Christ as your Savior.
Once you are born again, you receive the Holy Spirit, who comes to dwell in your spirit.
However, to experience an ongoing quickening, you need to pursue the things of the Spirit.
Spend time daily reading God’s Word and praying.
Worship God and sing spiritual songs.
Fellowship with other believers.
Be obedient to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
The more you walk in step with the Spirit, the more He will quicken your spirit.
What are the signs of a quickened spirit?
Some signs that your spirit has been quickened include:
- A deep longing to know God more intimately through prayer and Bible study.
- A desire to obey God’s commands and live a holy life.
- Increased discernment of spiritual things.
You gain wisdom and insight into spiritual truths.
- A burden to share the Gospel with others and see souls saved.
- The fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control – becomes more evident in your life.
- You experience the gifts of the Spirit in your life, such as a word of wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues and interpretation of tongues.
- A sensitivity to the conviction of sin and prompting of the Holy Spirit.
You want to follow the leading of the Spirit in all areas of your life.
The quickening of the Spirit is a lifelong process of drawing closer to God.
As you continue to seek Him, your spirit will come more fully alive and you will experience the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in your life.
