The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Divine Trinity. He is the One whom the Father sent to be with his children. “When the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me” (John 15:26).
The Holy Spirit is not a distant object or a vague presence. He is One who is easily identified and One to whom we can relate. Because He is of God, He is of a godly nature, and yet He possesses characteristics that identify Him as a distinct being.
His Personality
The Holy Spirit is gentle. He does not control you through force, but gently leads you, speaks to you, causes you to feel sorry when you do wrong, and leads you back to the right way. The Holy Spirit can be grieved. Do not ignore Him because of his meek and quiet manner. “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30).
His Purpose
The Holy Spirit is a unique personality and He has a divine purpose. He has been sent to accomplish the will of the Father. His work is to lift up and glorify Jesus Christ. He is not frustrated or buffeted by evil forces but continues his work in oneness with the Father.
The Holy Spirit will enlighten your understanding so that the Scriptures will become clear. When you get confused about what is right, He will help you clear up the clouds of confusion if you will listen closely to Him. He may at times send other children of God to help you, and you will need to be humble and ready to listen to them. The Holy Spirit will lead you to discern between the right and wrong doctrines that people are teaching. He will help you find the church which is a fellowship of Christians of which Jesus Christ is the Head (Ephesians 5:23). The Holy Spirit will help you discern between churches that do not teach the full gospel, and the one that teaches his full will. He wants you to become baptized and part of the fellowship of God’s children.
His Coming
The disciples had become accustomed to Jesus’s presence and guidance. The Holy Spirit’s leading was to be an advantage over the presence of Christ himself, in that He could be present everywhere at once (John 16:7).
The Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples on the day of Pentecost, when they were together waiting for Him as Jesus had commanded them. God accompanied his Spirit’s coming with several outward signs. In Acts 2:2 we read that He first came with the sound of a mighty rushing wind! Then there appeared tongues like as of fire on the disciples’ heads. He performed the miracle by which the gospel was heard in all languages present at that time. He used this evidence for the conversion of many others!
Filled with the Holy Ghost, the disciples began teaching and preaching Jesus Christ so effectively that onlookers marveled that such unlearned Galilean men were not understood in all these different languages (Acts 2:4-12). Others who were unbelieving mocked, and said these men must be drunk! However, many that heard the gospel by this miracle believed and were saved, and were added to the church (Acts 2:13, 41).
He Lives Within
The Holy Spirit lives in the hearts of God’s children. The Holy Spirit is not a stranger to them, but a very personal friend and companion. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). He is one that understands us and knows how to help us. He is a caring friend to those who love God and obey Him. When Jesus was preparing to leave this earth and go to his Father, He told his friends, “I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever” (John 14:16).
Not only is the Holy Spirit present in the hearts of God’s children, He actually fills their lives. “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31). The Holy Spirit loves to live in the heart that is surrendered to God; there He can freely speak and lead.
His Work
The Holy Spirit continues to plead with and draw to the Father those who are living in sin and walking in error. He cannot dwell in hearts that are unchanged and unyielding, but He, with much patience and love, is leading such men to repentance (John 16:8).
When a person yields his will to the will of God, he becomes a son by faith in Jesus Christ. To these justified ones God sends his Spirit. “Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father” (Galatians 4:6).
A person filled with the Holy Spirit is interested in the activities and functions of the Church of the living God and wants to participate in them. The Holy Spirit is the life of the Church, and should He be absent the body would be lifeless.
The Holy Spirit is the One who calls out and sends forth workers for the Church’s growth and maintenance as well as for the worldwide harvest field. “The Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them… So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed” (Acts 13:2, 4). As we labor with the Holy Spirit, He goes before us, preparing the way and softening hearts. He rejoices at the advancement of God’s kingdom. His joy is beyond our understanding as men, women, and children give their hearts to God and are delivered from sin.
He Teaches
The Holy Spirit has many things to teach us. His words are God’s words. God has all the wisdom and understanding we need, and He will give it to those who love and obey Him (John 14:26). His teachings are ever the same and yet always new and fresh, fitted to our particular need. To receive his teachings we must be teachable and eager to listen.
The Holy Spirit is sensitive and is able to detect our inner motives. He knows our most secret thoughts and either approves or disapproves of them. He cannot dwell where sin is tolerated or enjoyed. When self is promoted and satisfied, He will become uncomfortable and feel unwanted.
He Gives Power
The Holy Spirit is the power that enables us as God’s children to fight against the devil, the adversary of our souls. Without this power, we would be helpless before the evil one. “The Spirit also helpeth our infirmities” (Romans 8:26). With Him at our side, we need not be fearful but can be assured that God is fighting for us.
If you are not a child of God, have you noticed that there is a power stronger than yourself that governs your thoughts and actions? Satan is the “prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2). You need deliverance from this evil prince. Repent of your sins and believe in Jesus, and you will experience his cleansing power from all evil in your heart. “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
Speaking in Tongues
The interpretation and practice of tongues referred to by Christ and the apostle Paul have taken many churches into error and confusion. Is our closest companion, the Holy Spirit, the cause of such disorder? He is not known to be the author of confusion. He genuinely cares for us and is constantly teaching us and making all things clear. His gentle promptings will not leave us in doubt but will rather give direction.
Speaking in tongues as described in Acts chapter two is referring to the different languages spoken to the various nationalities gathered together at that time. This was a gift of the Holy Spirit given for that particular need. The gift of the unknown tongue referred to in 1 Corinthians 14, when given by the Holy Spirit, will not lead people into confusion but will clarify and edify. “Let all things be done unto edifying” (1 Corinthians 14:26). The Spirit of God always speaks to be understood. He leads into a greater light. The Apostle Paul admonishes the church, “But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church” (1 Corinthians 14:28).
The scriptures do not teach that speaking in tongues is required to show that one possesses the Holy Spirit. The evidence of the Spirit’s presence is the fruit He produces in the believer’s life. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).
In the Holy Spirit, the children of God have a friend who understands and feels for them. As we are faithful to Him, He will never leave or forsake us. He never tires or sleeps, but is always watching and helping. His words are often quietly spoken, and yet they are sure and clear. He brings with Him freedom and peace. He should be the most sought-after friend in the world.
He Gives Eternal Life
God wants to give you his Spirit today. God will give Him upon true repentance, confession of sins and submission to his will. He will give you courage to work for Him and gifts that will grow if you remain humble and are obedient to Him. He will never give the Holy Spirit to anyone who knowingly goes against his precious Word.
The Holy Spirit living in our hearts will give us admittance into the Eternal City, which is heaven. Only those in whom He is found shall be permitted to enter into that eternal rest. God will not recognize only good works and pleasing words as proof of our sonship. He will claim those to whom He entrusted his Spirit. “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come… and let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17).