Good Spirits
Jump to: TopicalGreekLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, "good spirits" often refer to angelic beings or manifestations of God's presence that serve His purposes and minister to His people. These spiritual entities are depicted as benevolent, obedient to God, and instrumental in carrying out His divine will.

Angelic Beings

Angels are the most commonly referenced good spirits in the Bible. They are created beings who serve as messengers and servants of God. The term "angel" itself means "messenger" in both Hebrew (mal'akh) and Greek (angelos). Angels are depicted as powerful and holy, executing God's commands and providing guidance and protection to believers.

In the Old Testament, angels appear frequently to deliver messages from God, provide guidance, and offer protection. For example, in Genesis 19, two angels visit Lot in Sodom to warn him of the impending destruction of the city. In the New Testament, angels announce the birth of Jesus to the shepherds (Luke 2:9-14) and minister to Jesus after His temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:11).

The writer of Hebrews emphasizes the role of angels as ministering spirits: "Are not the angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" (Hebrews 1:14). This verse highlights their purpose in serving and aiding believers.

Manifestations of God's Presence

Good spirits can also refer to manifestations of God's presence, such as the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity and is considered a good spirit in the highest sense. The Holy Spirit is active in the lives of believers, guiding, comforting, and empowering them for service.

In the Old Testament, the Spirit of God is seen as a source of wisdom and strength. For instance, the Spirit of the Lord comes upon individuals like Samson, granting him extraordinary strength (Judges 14:6). In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the life of the early Church, as seen in the book of Acts. The Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles at Pentecost, enabling them to speak in different tongues and boldly proclaim the gospel (Acts 2:1-4).

The Apostle Paul speaks of the fruit of the Spirit, which are the qualities that the Holy Spirit cultivates in the lives of believers: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). These attributes reflect the work of a good spirit within the believer.

Role in Spiritual Warfare

Good spirits, particularly angels, play a significant role in spiritual warfare. They are depicted as warriors who fight against the forces of evil. In the book of Daniel, the archangel Michael is described as a protector of Israel, engaging in battle against demonic forces (Daniel 10:13, 21). In Revelation, Michael and his angels wage war against the dragon, symbolizing the ultimate victory of good over evil (Revelation 12:7-9).

Guidance and Protection

Throughout Scripture, good spirits are shown to provide guidance and protection to God's people. Psalm 91:11-12 assures believers of angelic protection: "For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. They will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone."

In the New Testament, an angel instructs Philip to go to the desert road, leading to the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-39). Similarly, an angel appears to Paul in a vision, assuring him of safety during a storm at sea (Acts 27:23-24).

Conclusion

Good spirits, as depicted in the Bible, are integral to God's interaction with humanity. Whether through the ministry of angels or the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, these benevolent spiritual beings and manifestations serve to fulfill God's purposes, provide guidance, and offer protection to His people.
Topical Bible Verses
Hebrews 1:14
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
Topicalbible.org

Jude 1:6
And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness to the judgment of the great day.
Topicalbible.org

Daniel 10:12
Then said he to me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that you did set your heart to understand, and to chasten yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I am come for your words.
Topicalbible.org

Greek
2174. eupsucheo -- to be of good courage
... be of good comfort, have courage. From a compound of eu and psuche; to be in good
spirits, ie Feel encouraged -- be of good comfort. see GREEK eu. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2174.htm - 7k

2114. euthumeo -- to be of good cheer
... good" and 2372 , "passion") -- properly, to show as it proceeds from a sound
disposition (temper); hence, "be of good cheer, in good spirits" (high morale). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2114.htm - 7k

2115. euthumos -- of good cheer
... cheerful, encouraged From eu and thumos; in fine spirits, ie Cheerful -- of good
cheer, the more cheerfully. see GREEK eu. see GREEK thumos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2115.htm - 6k

Library

Whether among the Demons, Inferior to the Gods, There are any Good ...
... Chapter 2."Whether Among the Demons, Inferior to the Gods, There are Any Good Spirits
Under Whose Guardianship the Human Soul Might Reach True Blessedness. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 2 whether among the demons.htm

Good or Bad Spirits?
... Chapter 16. Windsor Park; Wesley as Art Critic; Glasgow and Perth; At
70, Wesley Preaches to 30,000 People Good or Bad Spirits? ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/good or bad spirits.htm

Of Good Angels
... whom our eyes have not seen, nor our ears heard; of both good and evil ... though brief
account in these words: "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 71 of good angels.htm

"The Spirit and Power of Elijah" --Not the Soul --Were in the ...
... he was filled also with the spirit of the fear of the Lord; it is possible also
that these several good spirits may be conceived as being in the same person. ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/2 the spirit and power.htm

How Fursa Built a Monastery among the East Angles, and of his ...
... Then followed accusations of the envious spirits against himself, the defence of
the good spirits, and a fuller vision of the heavenly hosts; as also of holy ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xix how fursa built.htm

Rome and Ephesus
... seems to imply that the Spirit existed from the beginning alongside of the Father,
but he also implies the existence of many other good spirits opposed to the ...
/.../lake/landmarks in the history of early christianity/v rome and ephesus.htm

Ep. Lxxiv. Although I am at Home, My Love is Expatriated with You. ...
... accustomed to do. May God grant you health and good spirits in all
circumstances,"you who are the common prop of the whole Church. ...
/.../cyril/select letters of saint gregory nazianzen/ep lxxiv although i am.htm

Of the Unity of the Divine Nature in the Trinity of the Persons
... Eternal Providence of God. And thereby all good spirits, in heaven and on
earth, are moved to virtue and righteousness. Footnotes: ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter xlviii of the unity.htm

The Trouble and Rest of Good Men "There the Wicked Cease from ...
... Such is the state of all good men while on earth: But it is not so with ... wicked men
would not suffer to rest before: For into the seat of the spirits of just men ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 127 the trouble and.htm

The Good Steward
... their love and esteem of us, or by power; power to do them good or hurt ... Indeed, it
cannot be questioned, but separate spirits have some way to communicate their ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 51 the good steward.htm

Resources
Why is being a good person not enough to get you into heaven? | GotQuestions.org

Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that all things work together for good? | GotQuestions.org

Good: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Good

Good and Evil

Good and Evil: Choice Between, by Adam and Eve

Good and Evil: Conflict Between

Good and Evil: Exhortation to Choose Between

Good and Evil: Subjective Conflict Between

Good Communication

Good Deeds

Good for Evil: General Scriptures Concerning

Good for Evil: Returning: Abraham, to Abimelech

Good for Evil: Returning: David, to his Enemies

Good for Evil: Returning: David, to Saul

Good for Evil: Returning: Elisha, to the Syrians

Good for Evil: Returning: Jesus, to his Crucifiers

Good for Evil: Returning: Stephen, to his Murderers

Good Friday

Good Friends

Good Fruits

Good Hygiene

Good Intentions

Good Leaders

Good Luck

Good Men

Good Mothers

Good News: General Scriptures Concerning

Good Spirits

Good Works

Related Terms

Good (8348 Occurrences)

Good-by (8 Occurrences)

Good-for-nothing (22 Occurrences)

Good-looking (7 Occurrences)

Good-day (2 Occurrences)

Good-bye (1 Occurrence)

Good-man (1 Occurrence)

Good-news (1 Occurrence)

Seemeth (36 Occurrences)

Sensible (15 Occurrences)

Success (29 Occurrences)

Sown (45 Occurrences)

Yields (21 Occurrences)

Yielding (19 Occurrences)

Zealous (40 Occurrences)

Substitute (3 Occurrences)

Strive (64 Occurrences)

Showing (41 Occurrences)

Spreading (74 Occurrences)

Simple (40 Occurrences)

Agree (24 Occurrences)

Shown (131 Occurrences)

Stored (55 Occurrences)

Sweareth (34 Occurrences)

Submit (36 Occurrences)

Avoid (31 Occurrences)

Assent (3 Occurrences)

Summon (25 Occurrences)

Successful (16 Occurrences)

Sixty (70 Occurrences)

Serving (85 Occurrences)

Slander (34 Occurrences)

Yield (78 Occurrences)

Sowing (28 Occurrences)

Springs (59 Occurrences)

Soil (59 Occurrences)

Sinful (61 Occurrences)

Stedfast (84 Occurrences)

Stoics (1 Occurrence)

Subjection (40 Occurrences)

Seemed (89 Occurrences)

Specially (26 Occurrences)

Sense (195 Occurrences)

Seems (99 Occurrences)

Satisfied (110 Occurrences)

Yielded (28 Occurrences)

Quality (14 Occurrences)

Visitation (17 Occurrences)

Zealously (4 Occurrences)

Quite (55 Occurrences)

Saved (183 Occurrences)

Ahaziah (34 Occurrences)

Striving (33 Occurrences)

Sharing (18 Occurrences)

Sharers (14 Occurrences)

Shared (21 Occurrences)

Saltiness (3 Occurrences)

Slandered (8 Occurrences)

Salty (4 Occurrences)

Seemly (10 Occurrences)

Sprang (23 Occurrences)

Serves (14 Occurrences)

Speed (22 Occurrences)

Shim'ei (40 Occurrences)

Self-controlled (9 Occurrences)

Sabbaths (53 Occurrences)

Swears (16 Occurrences)

Saltness (3 Occurrences)

Savior (60 Occurrences)

Sixtyfold (3 Occurrences)

Shelters (9 Occurrences)

Seeds (24 Occurrences)

Strife (71 Occurrences)

Simply (27 Occurrences)

Security (41 Occurrences)

Allowed (64 Occurrences)

Satan (50 Occurrences)

Substance (99 Occurrences)

Good Soil
Top of Page
Top of Page