The Work of the Holy Spirit (Part 1)

Introduction

It is supremely important to understand the works of the Holy Spirit, especially those that relate to the present time. From here, we will continue our study of the Holy Spirit and His work in eternity past as well as during mankind’s past, present, and future.

His Work in Eternity Past

Together with the other Persons of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit was active in formulating the divine decree, or plan.

Genesis 1:26 KJV 1900

26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Acts 2:23 KJV 1900

23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

Ephesians 1:11 KJV 1900

11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

So what does this all mean? It essentially means that He is involved in the total work of God, not only in devising the decree but also in administering it. This administration of what God planned concerns the Trinity’s activity in creation, preservation, providence, revelation, and salvation.

His Work During the Old Testament Period

Please keep in mind the roles that each Person of the Divine Trinity have concerning their dealings with the universe:

God the Father is the Originating Cause of all things.

1 Corinthians 8:6 (KJV 1900)

6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

God the Son is the Instrumental Cause of all things. Note verse 6 again.

God the Holy Spirit is the Dynamic Cause of all things.

1 Corinthians 6:11 (KJV 1900)

11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

In all these transitive actions of the Trinity, God the Father works through God the Son by the power of God the Holy Spirit.

Regarding Creation

We see the activity of the Holy Spirit along with the other Persons of the Trinity in Scripture.

Genesis 1:2 KJV 1900

2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

Job 26:13 KJV 1900

13 By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; His hand hath formed the crooked serpent.

Job 33:4 KJV 1900

4 The Spirit of God hath made me, And the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

Psalm 33:6 KJV 1900

6 By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; And all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

Some other verses that you can add are Psalm 104:29-30 and Isaiah 40:12-14. A futher implication is found in the name “God.” In the Hebrew language, “God” more often than not as a plural noun, “Elohim.” We also have the person prounoun “Us” as further proof to the plurality of the divine Persons. Note Genesis 1:1

Genesis 1:1 (KJV 1900)

1 In the beginning God (Elohim, plural noun) created the heaven and the earth.

Genesis 1:26 (KJV 1900)

26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Regarding Divine Revelation

The Holy Spirit enabled certain people to receive God’s special revelation and to convey it orally or to record it verbally without error or omission as the very Word of God. This work of the Holy Spirit upon these people is called “divine revelation.”

2 Peter 1:21 KJV 1900

21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

(2 Sam. 23:1-2; Micah 3:8; Acts 1:16; 28:25; 1 Cor 2:13; Heb 10:15)

Regarding Humans

The Holy Spirit, during Old Testament times, came upon people, or anointed them, for the purpose of enabling them for a specific ministry.

Judges 13:25 KJV 1900

25 And the Spirit of the Lord began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.

1 Samuel 16:13 KJV 1900

13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

He also filled certain people for a special work.

Exodus 31:3 KJV 1900

3 And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,

He even entered some people, but He did not remain in them permanently.

Ezekiel 2:2 KJV 1900

2 And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me.

Ezekiel 3:24 KJV 1900

24 Then the spirit entered into me, and set me upon my feet, and spake with me, and said unto me, Go, shut thyself within thine house.

Although He did not indwell people permanently, as He does today, the Holy Spirit was with His people.

John 14:17 KJV 1900

17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

Now compare that to Psalm 139:7-10

Psalm 139:7–10 KJV 1900

7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: If I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, And thy right hand shall hold me.

Daniel 4:8–9 KJV 1900

8 But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, saying, 9 O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof.

The Holy Spirit was with them to do many of the things that He does for His people today.

He gave them understanding.

Nehemiah 9:20 KJV 1900

20 Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst.

He gave them wisdom.

Exodus 31:1–6 KJV 1900

1 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2 See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: 3 And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4 To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, 5 And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship. 6 And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;

He gave them administrative ability.

Numbers 11:16–17 KJV 1900

16 And the Lord said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee. 17 And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.

He gave them physical strength.

Judges 14:19 KJV 1900

19 And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father’s house.

He gave them the ability to do miracles.

2 Kings 2:9–15 KJV 1900

9 And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. 10 And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. 11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. 13 He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; 14 And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the Lord God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over. 15 And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.

He enabled them to walk with God and to serve Him. After his sin with Bathsheba, David feared losing his anointing to rule over Israel, as Saul had lost his.

Psalm 51:11 KJV 1900

11 Cast me not away from thy presence; And take not thy holy spirit from me.

Compare that to 1 Samuel 16:13-14

1 Samuel 16:13–14 KJV 1900

13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah. 14 But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him.

His Work During God the Son’s Incarnation

We must keep in mind that the Holy Spirit inspired prophets, who spoke of the events of Jesus’ first and second comings to earth, and the gospel writers, who recorded the events of Jesus’ life and ministry. With the first coming of God the Son into the world, the person and work of the Holy Spirit were brought into view to a greater degree than ever before. The Holy Spirit had, and will forever have, a very important part in the life and ministry of Jesus the Messiah as man.

The Holy Spirit’s Activity in Jesus’ Conception

The conception of Jesus’ human nature came about by the action of the Holy Spirit rather than by agency of a man.

Matthew 1:20 KJV 1900

20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

Luke 1:35 KJV 1900

35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

The Holy Spirit made of Mary’s substance a complete, sinless human nature that was immediately received by God the Son. By this reception, God the Son became a human being. He is now forever the God-man.

The Holy Spirit’s Activity during Jesus’ Private Life

Although it is not revealed what Jesus’ relationship to the Holy Spirit was throughout His private life in Nazareth, the fact that God’s grace was upon Him implies that His life was influenced by the Holy Spirit.

Luke 2:40 KJV 1900

40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

We know that Jesus was aware of His mission on earth.

Luke 2:49 KJV 1900

49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?

We also know that Jesus pleased the Father during these years.

Matthew 3:17 KJV 1900

17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

The Holy Spirit’s Activity in Jesus’ Ministry

During His ministry, the Lord Jesus was filled with and led by the Holy Spirit.

Luke 4:16–21 KJV 1900

16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. 17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

He also received the anointing of the Holy Spirit at His baptism.

Luke 3:21–22 KJV 1900

21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, 22 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.

This means that as the Father’s Slave, Jesus received the Holy Spirit’s enablement for the Messianic work that the Father had commissioned Him to do. This event also marked the beginning of Jesus’ human, messianic ministry. All of Jesus’ messianic activities, like His teaching and doing miracles, were by the Holy Spirit’s power.

Acts 10:38 KJV 1900

38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

Isaiah 42:1 KJV 1900

1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; Mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.

Isaiah 61:1 KJV 1900

1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; Because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

Compare these verses with...

Matthew 12:28 KJV 1900

28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

Luke 4:1 KJV 1900

1 And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

Luke 4:14 KJV 1900

14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.

The Holy Spirit will forever enable Jesus as man to do the Father’s will.

Isaiah 11:1–5 KJV 1900

1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 2 And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and might, The spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; 3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: And he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, Neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: 4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, And reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: And he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, And with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. 5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, And faithfulness the girdle of his reins.

The Holy Spirit’s Activity in Jesus’ Death

The Holy Spirit strengthened Jesus for His priestly work of offering Himself in sacrifice for humanity’s sin.

Hebrews 9:14 KJV 1900

14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

He enabled Jesus to endure the abuses that were inflicted by wicked men.

Matthew 26:67 KJV 1900

67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,

The Holy Spirit also enable Jesus to endure the judgment of our sins that He received from the Father’s hand.

Matthew 27:46 KJV 1900

46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Isaiah 53:5–10 KJV 1900

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: The chastisement of our peace was upon him; And with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned every one to his own way; And the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, Yet he opened not his mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, So he openeth not his mouth. 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: And who shall declare his generation? For he was cut off out of the land of the living: For the transgression of my people was he stricken. 9 And he made his grave with the wicked, And with the rich in his death; Because he had done no violence, Neither was any deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, He shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

The Holy Spirit’s Activity in Jesus’ Resurrection

In cooperation with the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit participated in bringing about Jesus’ physical resurrection from the dead.

Romans 8:11 KJV 1900

11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Compare this verse to Ephesians 1:19-20

Ephesians 1:19–20 KJV 1900

19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

It was the Holy Spirit that provided the new life force that made Jesus’ dead body alive and that will animate the changed bodies of His people.

1 Corinthians 15:44 KJV 1900

44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

The Holy Spirit also changed Jesus’ body, which had been created to live on earth, to that it could exist forever in the eternal state.

1 Corinthians 15:45 KJV 1900

45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

The Holy Spirit’s Activity in Jesus’ Ascension and Enthronement

By the Holy Spirit’s power, Jesus as man physically ascended into heaven and sat down at the Father’s right hand.

Ephesians 1:19–22 KJV 1900

19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

There, the Lord Jesus continues His messianic work as our great High Priest and waits until the Father makes His enemies His footstool at His second coming to earth (Heb 1:12; 10:12-13; Rev 19:15).

The Holy Spirit’s Activity in Jesus’ Building Local Churches

Although as man He is in heaven, the Lord Jesus continues to establish local churches on earth through the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 3:11 KJV 1900

11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Matthew 16:18 KJV 1900

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Acts 1:5 KJV 1900

5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

The Holy Spirit transmits to His people Jesus’ spiritual life and power.

John 14:20 KJV 1900

20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

This power connection between the Lord and His people is formed by the baptism and indwelling works of the Holy Spirit, which results in their being in Jesus and His being in them.

1 Corinthians 6:19 KJV 1900

19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

Colossians 1:27 KJV 1900

27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

The Holy Spirit’s baptism also places gospel believers into the local body of believer, the local church, which now serves as His body on earth.

1 Corinthians 12:13 KJV 1900

13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:27 KJV 1900

27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

Ephesians 1:22–23 KJV 1900

22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

The Holy Spirit’s Activity in Jesus’ Work During the Tribulation Age

During the Tribulation Age, the Lord Jesus will engage in those events that will prepare earth dwellers for His second coming to earth according to Revelation 5-16. These events include His evangelizing earth dwellers by the preaching of the 144,000 evangelists or witnesses according to Revelation 7. It also includes His dealing with the elect remnant of Israel to bring them to repentance and faith in Himself according to chapter 12 as well as Hosea 3, 5, and 6. Jesus will do all this as man by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 59:19 KJV 1900

19 So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, And his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.

Isaiah 61:1–2 KJV 1900

1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; Because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all that mourn;

The Holy Spirit’s Activity in Jesus’ Earthly Rule

The Lord Jesus will continue His messianic work during His millennial, earthly kingdom by the Holy Spirit’s power.

Isaiah 11:2–5 KJV 1900

2 And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and might, The spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; 3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: And he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, Neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: 4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, And reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: And he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, And with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. 5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, And faithfulness the girdle of his reins.

Isaiah 42:1–4 KJV 1900

1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; Mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. 2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, Nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. 3 A bruised reed shall he not break, And the smoking flax shall he not quench: He shall bring forth judgment unto truth. 4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, Till he have set judgment in the earth: And the isles shall wait for his law.

In fact, the Holy Spirit will continue to energize the Lord Jesus for His messianic works throughout all eternity.

1 Corinthians 15:28 KJV 1900

28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

Luke 1:33 KJV 1900

33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

His Work During the Local Church Age

The Holy Spirit is currently active on earth in restraining evil, ministering to the unsaved, and working in the lives of His people.

The Holy Spirit’s Restraint on Lawlessness

We see this implied in 2 Thessalonians 2:7

2 Thessalonians 2:7 KJV 1900

7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

Note the word “mystery” in this verse. In the Greek, it is understood as a sacred secret or a hidden divine truth that is now revealed to believers as part of the New Testament revelation. The word “iniquity” is lawlessness or that indwelling evil force that asserts itself against God and violates His laws. The manifestation of lawlessness in this world is not a secret, for we see in every part of sinful human society. However, the “mystery of iniquity (lawlessness),” unknown to the world but revealed to God’s people, is the fact that the guiding genius of this world’s lawlessness is Satan and that it will reach a climax in the career of his human agent, the Beast out of the sea, during the second half of the Tribulation Age.

Although the Holy Spirit not named in 2 Thessalonians 2:7, the interpretation that identifies the pronoun “he” as referring to Him, in my opinion, best fits the context. He, the Holy Spirit, alone is capable of holding Satan and sin in check until God’s time for their full, unbridled activity and expression. When the Lord’s present work of building His kingdom through the local church is completed and He removes us, as believers, from the earth, then the Holy Spirit will relax His restraint upon lawlessness (iniquity) and allow the Beast (“the lawless one”) to pursue his prophetic career under Satan’s direction (2 Thess 2:8-10; Rev 13:1-9). The Holy Spirit’s relaxation of restraint, described as being “take out of the way,” does not mean that He will be removed from the earth. Being God, the Holy Spirit is always omnipresent; also God’s program and His people will need the Holy Spirit’s continued ministry in this world. It means that He will allow lawlessness to run its full course, without divine restraint.

In restraining evil today, the Holy Spirit uses the lives of godly people.

Matthew 5:13 KJV 1900

13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

He uses human government.

Romans 13:1–4 KJV 1900

1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

He utilizes people’s innate sense of morality.

Romans 2:14–15 KJV 1900

14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

He also uses the influence of Scripture.

John 17:17 KJV 1900

17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Additionally, He uses the direct application of His own sovereign power. It is this restraint that will be removed from earth during the Tribulation Age. Social conditions will be so wicked in those days that good social influences will absent or ineffective.

Matthew 24:10 KJV 1900

10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

Matthew 24:12 KJV 1900

12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.