DOVE; A SYMBOL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
DOVE; A SYMBOL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
"And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased." Luke 3:22 KJV
From the passage above, we saw the Holy spirit came upon Jesus Christ in the form of a dove. The Holy spirit chose to manifest Himself in the form of a dove because there is something about the dove that related to the personality of the Holy spirit which he wants to reveal unto us, He did this to show that there are some distinct attributes a dove have that is common to the personality of the Holy spirit. Of all the animals, of all the birds, why the dove?
We will be looking at few out of many district characteristics of a dove that relates to the personality of the Holy spirit.
1. Doves are commonly white, an appearance that symbolizes holiness or purity. As temple of God, carrier of the Holy spirit, we are to be holy as the spirit of God we carry is holy.
"If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are." I Corinthians 3:17 NKJV
2. Doves are gentle in nature. They are ideal pets for people that cannot accommodate or withstand a parrot (due to the noise). Doves are not violent. The Holy spirit is also gentle. He won't force you , he requires your permission before using you. He is not violent. Once He is grieved or threatened, He leaves quietly.
"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." Ephesians 4:30 NKJV
As children of God, filled with the Holy spirit, we are to be like Him in gentleness. We must not be violent, aggressive or oppressive. Detest from argument, it always leads to quarrel and children of God do not quarrel.
"Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will." 2 Timothy 2:23-26 NIV
3. Doves are conservative in appearance, they do not draw much attention to themselves compared to the prideful peacock. They are symbols of humility, they are little air-headed i.e. most times, their heads are pointing to the ground (a sign of humility). They do not need to lift their head to swallow. Children of God are besought to be humble. The way up is down, if you want to lead, you have to serve first, if you are too big to serve, then you are too small to lead. When you humble yourself, God will lift you up.
"And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Matthew 23:12 NKJV
4. Doves are peaceful. They are never violent, unlike the hawks, owls and ostriches. Doves are also commonly found in groups which shows cooperation, harmony and unity. Believers are to be peace loving in all ways. Children of God are peacemakers and not troublemakers. Follow peace with everyone.
"If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them." Luke 6:29 NIV
5. Doves are symbols of love. They are known to be faithful to their mating partners. The greatest commandment is love. As believers, we are to love our God and be faithful to Him with all our heart, might and mind. We are also expected to love our neighbours, if we can't love the neighbour we see, how can we love God that we cannot see.
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." 1 John 4:7-8 NIV
6. Doves feed mainly on grasses and grain seeds (which are of high nutritional value) unlike vultures that feed on carcasses (dead and decaying parts). Believers are to stay away from carcasses ( unclean things), we are to feed on the word of God that keeps us alive. Sin contaminates to a believer, we are to feed on the word, it is pure, holy and filled with life.
"Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:48 NIV
"And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased." Luke 3:22 KJV
From the passage above, we saw the Holy spirit came upon Jesus Christ in the form of a dove. The Holy spirit chose to manifest Himself in the form of a dove because there is something about the dove that related to the personality of the Holy spirit which he wants to reveal unto us, He did this to show that there are some distinct attributes a dove have that is common to the personality of the Holy spirit. Of all the animals, of all the birds, why the dove?
We will be looking at few out of many district characteristics of a dove that relates to the personality of the Holy spirit.
1. Doves are commonly white, an appearance that symbolizes holiness or purity. As temple of God, carrier of the Holy spirit, we are to be holy as the spirit of God we carry is holy.
"If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are." I Corinthians 3:17 NKJV
2. Doves are gentle in nature. They are ideal pets for people that cannot accommodate or withstand a parrot (due to the noise). Doves are not violent. The Holy spirit is also gentle. He won't force you , he requires your permission before using you. He is not violent. Once He is grieved or threatened, He leaves quietly.
"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." Ephesians 4:30 NKJV
As children of God, filled with the Holy spirit, we are to be like Him in gentleness. We must not be violent, aggressive or oppressive. Detest from argument, it always leads to quarrel and children of God do not quarrel.
"Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will." 2 Timothy 2:23-26 NIV
3. Doves are conservative in appearance, they do not draw much attention to themselves compared to the prideful peacock. They are symbols of humility, they are little air-headed i.e. most times, their heads are pointing to the ground (a sign of humility). They do not need to lift their head to swallow. Children of God are besought to be humble. The way up is down, if you want to lead, you have to serve first, if you are too big to serve, then you are too small to lead. When you humble yourself, God will lift you up.
"And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Matthew 23:12 NKJV
4. Doves are peaceful. They are never violent, unlike the hawks, owls and ostriches. Doves are also commonly found in groups which shows cooperation, harmony and unity. Believers are to be peace loving in all ways. Children of God are peacemakers and not troublemakers. Follow peace with everyone.
"If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them." Luke 6:29 NIV
5. Doves are symbols of love. They are known to be faithful to their mating partners. The greatest commandment is love. As believers, we are to love our God and be faithful to Him with all our heart, might and mind. We are also expected to love our neighbours, if we can't love the neighbour we see, how can we love God that we cannot see.
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." 1 John 4:7-8 NIV
6. Doves feed mainly on grasses and grain seeds (which are of high nutritional value) unlike vultures that feed on carcasses (dead and decaying parts). Believers are to stay away from carcasses ( unclean things), we are to feed on the word of God that keeps us alive. Sin contaminates to a believer, we are to feed on the word, it is pure, holy and filled with life.
"Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:48 NIV
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