David Wilkerson emphasizes that before we can claim God's covenant promises, a transformative work must occur within us, initiated by the Holy Spirit. He references Jeremiah 32:40, explaining that God instills a holy fear in our hearts, which is essential for us to remain steadfast in our faith. This divine fear is not something we can manufacture; it is a profound awe of God's holiness that leads to a genuine change in our perspective on sin. The Holy Spirit empowers us to overcome sin and guides us towards fulfilling God's will, using the convicting power of Scripture as the means to instill this fear. Ultimately, this work is foundational for experiencing the fullness of God's promises in our lives.

I believe God has to accomplish a work in us before we can lay claim to any covenant promise. What is this precedent work upon which all others depend? Jeremiah tells us: “I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me” (Jeremiah 32:40). God’s precedent work of the covenant is to put His fear into our hearts by the work of the Holy Spirit. Jeremiah is speaking here of the provisions of God’s new covenant, not the old. And God tells us very clearly how this first work of the covenant will be performed: “I will put My fear in their hearts.” He is letting us know we cannot work up a holy fear by the laying on of hands or the strivings of our flesh. No—the only way this holy work can be accomplished in us is if God’s Spirit performs it. God is telling us through this passage, “I am going to do marvelous things in you. I will send My very own Spirit to abide in you and give you a new heart. He will empower you to mortify all fleshly deeds and He will guide you into total freedom from the power of sin. Finally, He will cause you to will and do My good pleasure. “But there is one work the Spirit must perform in you before any of these others. He is going to put in you the true fear of God concerning sin. He will implant in you a profound awe of My holiness, so you will not depart from My commands. Otherwise, your sin will always lead you away.” Very simply, the Holy Spirit changes the way we look at our sin. He knows that as long as we continue to take our lust lightly, we will never be set free. How does the Holy Ghost do this? By using the convicting Word of God—the piercing arrows of holy truth.