What does the Bible mean by “out of its interior will flow rivers of living water”?
Rivers of living water will flow from within, verse in John 7:38
“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture says, rivers of living water will flow from within him.” – John 7:38. As you read the scriptures, sometimes the greatest truths are found in some of the simplest verses. I think this verse is one of them.
Rivers of living water will flow from its interior, but what are rivers of living water?
For this truth to transform you, we must understand what rivers of living water are. Fortunately, Jesus answers this in the following verse:
“This he said of the Spirit that those who believed in him were to receive; for the Holy Spirit had not yet come, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.” – John 7:39. So when it is said that rivers of living water will flow from within, it refers to the Holy Spirit within the believer.
From within will flow rivers of living water, that is, the Holy Spirit flowing in the life of the believer.
What does the word “rivers” represent when we read that rivers of living water will flow from within?
The rivers of living water in our life
“From within will flow rivers of living water.” The word rivers here implies more than just a calm and quiet river or small stream. This word means flood or overabundance. Think of any time you have seen a torrential downpour and the water rushes into the river creating a powerful current of water that flows over everything in its path. This is how the Holy Spirit should be present and working in your life, as when we read “from your interior will flow rivers of living water.”
Because of the above, I must ask, does the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life right now feel like a trickle, a stream, or an abundant overflow? What Jesus desires and what should be the case in the life of every believer is for there to be an abundant outpouring of the Spirit of God in his life. When that happens, the rivers of life flow within you; for we are told that “from its interior will flow rivers of living water.”
What does the word “run” represent when it is mentioned that rivers of living water will flow from its interior?
The use of the word will run or flow here is also important because it implies continuous movement. The word flow means “to move along or out steadily and continuously in a stream or stream.” When something flows, it is not static, it continues to move in a certain direction. You will also find consistency and stability within the flow. As a Christian, you must be constant, and continually move forward.
You are not the source of the flow, you are simply the channel for it. The more you open your heart to the work of the Holy Spirit, the more it will flow through you like rivers of living water. This doesn’t require you to do more or be more, it requires you to surrender more. The more surrendered you are to the Holy Spirit and the more you allow him to work in your life, the more stable and consistent you will be. Because you are in the flow of God’s Spirit, he will continually move you making sure you get to the places he wants you to be.
For whom are the rivers of living water?
To whom does the promise that is made to us apply, saying “from its interior will flow rivers of living water?
Another exciting part of this truth and understanding about rivers of living water is who it applies to. Jesus said this is for the one who believes in him: “whoever believes in me…from within him will flow rivers of living water. This means that Jesus wants you to be a person who overflows with the abundance of the Holy Spirit working in you.” you.
The rivers of living water are not reserved for the anointed few but for the many believers. If you believe in Jesus Christ, which means He is your Savior and your Lord, then rivers of living water must flow from within you.
This promise is for every believer. Therefore, when you understand the rivers of living water, your life will change. God desires and expects the Holy Spirit to be abundant in your life, not just a mere presence.
Reasons why rivers of living water will not flow inside you
Why don’t rivers of living water run in your life?
All this leads me to ask you: Is the presence of the Holy Spirit abundant in your life? If the answer is yes, great. If the answer is no, then why? The requirement for the Holy Spirit to flow in your life is to be a believer in Jesus Christ. If it meets that rating and current is not flowing, there are likely two reasons for it.
1. Disobedience or sin
The first thing that will interrupt the flow of the Holy Spirit in your life is if you choose to live in disobedience, which is sin. If you are going to willfully live a sinful lifestyle, then you are going to hinder the work of the Holy Spirit in your life.
When God’s spirit overflows abundantly in your life, then you will see the evidence in every area of your life. He will impact your relationships, your decision-making, your choices, your interests, and your desires. However, for this to happen you must make room for it and allow rivers of living water to flow in your heart.
2. Disbelief
The second thing that will interrupt the flow of the Holy Spirit in your life is unbelief. By this I mean that you simply do not believe that the Holy Spirit can or will work in you. You think this is for more spiritual people. None of this is true. The rivers of living water of the Holy Spirit are available to you. You don’t need to wait until next year, nine months from now, or some arbitrary time. This is available to you right now. If you ask God, he will fill you in abundance so that rivers of living water flow from your interior.
Rivers of living water will flow from its interior, conclusion
What else can we say about rivers of living water?
After making the offer of life-giving water, Jesus adds that rivers of living water will flow from the believer’s heart (John 7:38). Jesus alludes to Isaiah 55:1 and Isaiah 58:11, passages that similarly present the messianic hope in terms of life-giving water (cf. Exodus 17:1–6; Psalm 78:15–16; 105:40– 41; Proverbs 18:4; Isaiah 12:3; Ezekiel 47:1–11; and Zechariah 14:8).
Rivers of living water will flow from within, a prophetic fulfillment
Jesus was not simply using a metaphor to compare his own life-giving ministry to that of water. In reality, he was claiming to be the fulfillment of the allusions and prophecies of the water of life in the Scriptures. Because He was the Life-Giver, those who believed in Him would have eternal life within them and would no longer need to look to external sources for life. Later, it is revealed that God would put his Spirit within each believer (Romans 8:9), and each believer would have eternal life (John 6:47) and the evidence of life (in the Holy Spirit) within him. It is in this sense that “rivers of living water” will flow from the hearts of believers.
Later, Paul would describe how in love Christ sanctifies His church, washing it with the water of His word (Ephesians 5:25–26). The writer of Hebrews continues the theme, noting that our hearts are sprinkled and our bodies are washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:22).
Peter adds that believers are cleansed as by water (1 Peter 3:20–21). Finally, in a beautiful description of Jesus’ ministry, John says that the Lamb would be the Shepherd, leading his people to the water of life (Revelation 7:17). This is reminiscent of David’s song from Psalm 23 in which the Shepherd leads David beside still waters (Psalm 23:2) and restores his soul. As recognized by each of these writers, we must understand that Jesus is the One who freely gives eternal life.