2 Timothy 1:13-14 English Standard Version
13 Follow the pattern of the sound[healthy] words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
Yesterday I declared that I did not see pattern at first glance. In preparing that devotional at third glance I now see deposit. This happens often enough in scriptures that it is worthy of noting. It is not unlike walking from your car to a store to glance down and find a coin. It is entirely up to you to pick it up or to leave it lay. So in my journey from the car I picked up a dime and on my return I discover a quarter.
Which has the greater value, pattern or deposit? We shall allow the Lord to decide.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 English Standard Version
21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, 22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.[a]
Footnote [a] Or down payment
Down payments are deposited therefor our good deposit is the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is God in the third person, how can we guard God?
The first thing that comes to my mind is not to proclaim that our thoughts and words are given to us by the Holy Spirit when they are not. That is bearing false witness. That is not all that much different than saying the devil made me do it when it is our bad choices that are at fault.
I am sure there are other ways to discover how to guard the presence of the Holy Spirit in us if we think about it. Maybe refraining from sin might be a strong candidate in such matters. When our sins are discovered it calls in to question our faithfulness to God.
If you pick it up, own it.