the spiritual implications of water

Water is very symbolic for many, often containing deeper spiritual meaning(s). Biblically, water most often represents the Holy Spirit in various forms of water. Throughout the Bible we find passages about water:

• the river,
• a fountain,
• waves,
• drinking water,
• vessels of water,
• watering the seed,
• baptism,
• rain,
• stream,
• ocean,
• channel,
• flood,
• flow,
• storm,
• cleansing rituals

( this is not a comprehensive list, just some hi-lites)
Each type of water holds a goal that He intended us to achieve through the power of the Holy Spirit and accessing these “waters”.

“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.’ (John 7:38)

Here the goal is to give us abundant life and many blessings to help us obtain personal power to better live our lives and to minister to others lives.

because if…” any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink“(and 7:37)

Here the goal is to cleanse us of bad habits, old ways, addictions and various other evils the scriptures talk about. Instead, the Holy Spirit is to be our “fountain of living waters” which satisfies the cravings of the soul. (Jeremiah 2:13)

“So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.” (1 Cor 3:7)

Here the goal is to cause the seed to grow; it matters not whether the “seed” (the Word) nor the “soil” (teaching & ministering) is good, because it is for the Holy Spirit to do “watering” (trusting & believing Him in our hearts).

“…having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word.” (Eph 5:26)

Here the goal is for the Word of God to have a cleansing effect on our lives, both inner and outer. In the following verse we see the signs of those who did not receive the cleansing effects…

“these men are…without fear, caring for themselves, clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted; wild waves at the sea, casting up their own shame like foam, wandering stars, from whom the black darkness has been reserved forever.” (Jude 12-13)

Here the goal is to show us what a person/ministry looks like when they are not drinking of the living water, but rather, living for themselves. There is no refreshment or blessings received by them, so they can pass no refreshment or blessings on to others.

…”and all the brooks of Judah will flow with water; and a spring will go out from the house of the Lord, to water the valley…” (Joel 3:18)

The goal here is to show us that when we love, trust and honor the Holy Spirit in our lives, blessings are poured out in such measure as to be flowing or moving all over our lives. This type of movement should be visible not only to yourself, but others as well. In fact, the verse indicates an overflow !

…’he has poured down for you the rain, the early and latter rain as before. and the threshing floors will be full of grain, and the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.” (Joel 2:23-24)

Again, we see water, in the form of rain, meant for refreshing and growth. You need to have rain both early in the season and later on as the season progresses, in order to achieve the type of growth that results in a good harvest.

The” grain” (fruit, seed, teaching, ministry) may begin to grow in the “early” days but still may shrivel up without more rain in the “latter” days.

Of course, the “new wine” represents the new joy, peace and eternal life we now have in Him, and “oil” represents the anointing we have as ours to walk in.

“For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing…”

(2 Cor 2:15

Oil was used as a “fixative” to hold scent or fragrance; when we walk as spirit-filled believers, in our anointing, we are meant to leave behind the fragrance of Christ.

A BLESSING FOR YOU

May you drink deeply of the fountain of living water,

may you walk in blessings and abundant live,

may you enjoy the new wine,

and may your walk disperse the aroma of Christ.

All scriptures from the New American Standard Bible. All additional information from “A Dictionary of Bible Types: examines the images, shadows and symbolism of over 1,000 biblical terms, words and people” by Walter L. Wilson.

This thread is dedicated to Dan, who started the whole “water” thing.

Blessings to you !