Do I have to be holy before I can receive the Holy Spirit?

Chuck Smith, Living Water, chapter 25: We seem to feel that we must be worthy, that we have to deserve this gift. Yet because we know we are unworthy and undeserving, we disqualify ourselves for the blessing. We don't expect to receive the gift because we know we don't deserve it; after all, He fills only holy vessels. But that's all backward. The truth is that the Holy Spirit comes into your life to help you become holy. Not the other way around! Think how false it would be to say to someone, "Look, if you want to get saved, go out and clean up your act. Quit all of the rotten stuff you've been doing. Get your life right with God, because God doesn't want to save you in the mess you're in. Get yourself straightened out and then come to the Lord." I know of a lot of people who believe this. "I'll get saved once I clean up my act," they say. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.

Verified. Every scripture quotation on this page has been checked word-for-word against the King James text. Last reviewed 2026-10-16.