The Ignorance of the Holy Spirit
From a young age, all Christian children are taught about the divinity of Jesus and know that Jesus is God! Later, they learn about God the Father.
Similarly, I was raised with a strong understanding of Jesus and God the Father but lacked knowledge about the Holy Spirit.
It wasn’t until later in life that I discovered the awesome and profound presence of the Holy Spirit living within us.
Who is the Holy Spirit, also known as the Holy Ghost?
- He is GOD in the form of Spirit.
- He is the third person in the Holy Trinity – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
When we believe in Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes and lives within us. It is having God Himself in our hearts and living in us.
That is why we are God’s temple!
The Bible says: “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” ~ 1 Corinthians 3:16
The Holy Spirit is invisible
We cannot see the Holy Spirit.
Can we see the wind? No, we can’t. But, we can feel the effect of the wind on us. Is’nt it?
Likewise, we cannot see the Holy Spirit but we can feel His teaching, guidance, and comfort.
If we want the Holy Spirit living in us, we SHOULD repent of our sins, and be obedient to the word of God.
Jesus Himself disclosed about the Holy Spirit:
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit“. Mathew 28:19
REWIND
During Christ’s ministry on earth, He assured His disciples that after His resurrection and ascension to heaven, He would send the Holy Spirit to comfort them. He would not allow them to be orphans.
Jesus promised:
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever — the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you”. John 14:16–18
Jesus full filled His promise by sending them the Holy Spirit, on the Day of the Pentecost.
What is Pentecost?
Originally, Pentecost was a Jewish harvest festival that was held 50 days after Passover. But now, it is a Christian holy day that is celebrated on the 50th day after Easter and 10 days after Christ’s ascension to heaven.
It was on the Pentecostal day, that God sent the Holy Spirit to His disciples and other followers of Christ.
How did the Holy Spirit come down?
On the Jewish festival of Pentecost, the disciples and other followers of Christ, were all huddled together in Jerusalem. They were feeling afraid because Jesus had left them.
Then the Holy Spirit descended on them. It sounded like the blowing of a very strong wind, which came down from heaven. It looked like tongues of fire and came to rest over each one’s head. Then the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit also gave them the POWER to speak in foreign languages.
The Bible mentions this phenomena:
“They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:1–4
The Day when God made Church
What is the role of the Holy Spirit living in us ?
- The Holy Spirit reveals Christ to us through the word of God.
The Holy Spirit helps us to understand the Bible. He guides us as we read God’s Word and aids us to interpret it accurately. We can get Bible facts on our own, but the Spirit of God opens our minds and hearts so that we comprehend the spiritual truth that is in there.
The Holy Spirit teaches and reveals the meaning of Scripture to Christians the way Jesus would.
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things” (John 14:26).
2. The Holy Spirit shows us the right way to live.
The Holy Spirit prompts us about the right way to live according to God’s teachings. Life’s meaning and purpose are all about loving one another and being forgiving, compassionate, kind, and obedient to God.
For instance, when we are finding it difficult to love someone or forgive someone, the Holy Spirit can change our attitude if we will ask Him for help.
3. The Holy Spirit renews our minds, thoughts, and attitudes
As we reflect on God’s word, the Holy Spirit can transform our attitudes, our habits, and the way we think.
The way we live is directly linked to the way we think. Our mindset about God, other people, ourselves, situations, etc. has a direct influence on how we will feel, speak, and act.
With the help of the Holy Spirit, all that is possible!
The Bible compares renewing your mind with the process of changing your clothes. You first need to take off your old clothes (the lies) and change into your new clothes (the truth).
“to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” ~ Ephesians 4:22-24
The Spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit gave the apostles certain ‘gifts and fruits’ necessary to spread the gospel of Christ.
They are:
- The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
- The Fruit of the Holy Spirit.
What is the Gift of the Holy Spirit
The gift of the Holy Spirit simply means that God empowers His faithful followers with certain gifts which are used to do His calling, build up the church for Christian service, and convert people to His church.
These special gifts are… Wisdom, Knowledge, Faith, Healing, Miracles, Prophecy, Discerning of spirits, Speaking in tongues, and Interpretation of tongues …
“ We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully” . Romans 12: 6-8.
“To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues”.1 Corinthians 12: 8-10
What is the Fruit of the Holy Spirit
When we follow Christ with our whole hearts, the Holy Spirit produces certain positive qualities in us which are like Christ.
We become people who have these characteristics in our lives.
The fruits of the Spirit are … Love, Faith, Peace, Joy, Kindness, Patience, gentleness.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control”. Galatians 5:22-23
Objective Conclusion
The Holy Spirit doesn’t make decisions for us.
God has given us the freedom to make free choices. He has given us the free will to live our lives the way we desire.
We are free to choose either to live the way God wants us to live or the wrong way.
God doesn’t FORCE us.
Decide whether to follow Christ or to follow Satan.
Opting for Christ’s way of life gives peace and eternal life!
Want to know more about…
Message of the Cross to the Youth of Today