More than Human

The term “speciesism” was first used by animal rights activist Richard Ryder. He sought to emphasize the misguided stance humans take toward animals in order to justify animal abuse. The idea is that sometimes people working, for instance, in slaughterhouses treat animals like objects.

People who believe speciesism is a problem argue that a similar mentality is seen in racism. Historically, some people groups have justified their mistreatment of other groups by labelling them sub-human. While the Bible clarifies what our relationship to animals and people should be, some have missed what it says about the Holy Spirit being a person.

In the Bible, the Holy Spirit is often spoken of as not only doing many of the same things that people do, but also acting in ways that are far beyond human ability. When people treat the Holy Spirit like mindless electricity or an impersonal cosmic force, they are mislabeling Him.

Jesus trusted the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to act as a kind of church administrator: “As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them’ ”(Acts 13:2). At the very least, these actions should reveal that the Holy Spirit has the same individual qualities as humans do.

However, the Bible goes further to explain how the wisdom of the Holy Spirit far surpasses that of any created being: “The angel answered and said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God’ ” (Luke 1:35). The Spirit’s involvement in the birth of Jesus shows His complete understanding of what it means to be human.

Apply It:

Take the initiative to talk with someone that you normally don’t.

Dig Deeper:

John 16:14; Luke 12:12; Romans 8:26

Key Bible Texts

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. (John 15:1 KJV)