The Holy Spirit carries the testimony of God to the Christian (John 14:7) and the unchristian alike (John 16:8). Everyone is influenced by the ministry of the Holy Spirit. It is sad and unusual that most have no idea of his influence over their world and mind. Some are so opposed to God that they wittingly or unwittingly blaspheme the Holy Spirit (Mark 3:29). Others act in an irresponsible way and grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). The best, of course, is to be filled with the Holy Spirit- moved by Him, directed by Him, capable of knowing God intimately. The worst, of course, is to fight against Him- to resist Him and His influence.
There is a contrast of different sorts in the book of Acts. It is not contrast of those for Him or against Him. In Acts, the evidence of people being filled with the Spirit is powerful (Acts 2:4; 10:44; 19:6). The contrasting response to the Holy Spirit is not a denial of Him. It is not a rejection of His work. It is an abuse of Him- His person, power and/or work.
Ananias and Sapphira feigned spirituality. It was translated as lying to the Spirit or testing the Spirit (Acts 5:3, 9). There was a man, Simon, who believed (Acts 8:13), but tried to barter for the ability to manipulate the Spirit to enable him to perform impressive miracles (Acts 8:18). In both of these examples, the Holy Spirit was acknowledged but wrongly treated as a commodity.
Perhaps the most glaring example of the contrast is in Acts 19. Paul was so in sync with the Holy Spirit that miracles were dripping off handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him (Acts 19:12). The reader, however, is treated with whiplash contrast beginning in the very next verse. The story of Paul is followed immediately by some folks trying to cash in on the exorcism business- the work of the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:13-16). The end result was not a shame to the Holy Spirit, but a beating of the pretenders.
The contrast in Acts is not between people filled with the Holy Spirit and those unfilled with the Holy Spirit. The contrast is between those being true to the Holy Spirit and those treating the Holy Spirit as a commodity to cash in on or a weapon to wield. In other words, there are those who are filled with the Spirit and others who are fooling with the Spirit. The former are subject to His daily sharpening and shaping. The latter are interested less in personal reform than personal advancement. There is something insidious about those who feign spirituality like that. There is something perilous about those who say, “The Spirit has told me to . . . ,” when it has really been wishful thinking or seeking the Spirit’s endorsement for an activity or decision. There is something dangerous about those who do things that are often associated with being filled with the Spirit, but with the intention of personal gain or improved image. It is a perilous thing to fool around with the Holy Spirit. When a person tries in a fleshly way to do what can only be done in a spiritual way, the damage is significant to them, the church and their witness before a watching world.
Those who are filled with the Spirit don’t have a showy spirituality. They have a gritty, un-flaunted way of simple obedience and sacrificial love. [Sandwiched between Paul’s powerful Spirit-filled demonstrations (Acts 19:6 and 19:11-12) is the unimpressive activity of teaching and preaching (Acts 19:8-10)]. There is none of the personal gain seeking that Ananias sought in the truly Spirit-filled believer. There is nothing like the power-seeking Simon in them. There is no motive akin to the seven sons of Sceva in those who want less attention for themselves and more for God.
I am becoming convinced that the biggest danger regarding the treatment of the Holy Spirit is not to ignore Him. When we do that, He just continues to prod and prick all conscience are hardened (1 Timothy 4:2). The biggest danger is to misrepresent Him- to mimic Him rather than represent Him.
The clearest mark of Spirit-filled believers is not exorcisms, tongues, healing handkerchiefs or arcane knowledge. It is marked by people who bring the presence of God, represent the character of God and draw attention to God in an environment that desperately needs God. That can only be achieved by humble, loving, sacrificial, God-enamored people. That may be why some of the demonstrations of Spirit-filled life are rare. We live in a self-soaked world where power, gain and attention are still valued- sometimes even among those who claim to live by the Spirit. When that kind of attitude dies, the Spirit-filled life truly comes to life.