Episode 48: Who Is This Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is often the most misunderstood and unrecognized person of the Godhead. For some, just the thought of Him seems scary or confusing! Religious tradition and poor teaching layer a mysterious veneer over the beauty and reality of the Spirit’s role in the life of every believer.
There are key moments when God refers to Himself as “US” in scripture, noting the presence of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. In scriptures like Genesis 3:22 and Isaiah 6:8 we see this reference, as the Godhead discusses the outcome of man’s struggle with sin and the beauty of being called.
Later we see Jesus Himself describe the Holy Spirit’s role in detail (John 15 and 16), calling Him the advocate and Spirit of truth. For us to grow in our knowledge of the Spirit, we must understand His three primary roles:
1. The Holy Spirit brings direction.
Often, we’re being led without knowing it’s the Spirit who’s leading us. His specialty is direction. He’s like a compass, turning us one direction that leads to purpose or protecting us from another direction that leads to pain. The Spirit leads us directionally through God’s word, circumstances, challenges, and passions fueled with a “God-calling” desire. We may not even realize it’s the Spirit who’s leading us, but as He directs, our faith and understanding grow.
2. The Holy Spirit brings revelation.
Ephesians 2:17 says, “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know Him better…” One of the Spirit’s roles is to make us wise. We can ask Him to grow our faith and knowledge and to reveal things to us what we don’t currently know. At times we need supernatural help in understanding things our restricted brains either can’t handle or don’t know how to process. This is Spirit-led revelation as He uncovers what we ask Him to explain.
3. The Holy Spirit brings power.
Imagine being a battery-operated toy living its whole life without a battery. This is how many believers are living their spiritual lives - with no power-pack. In Acts 2 we see the early church waiting (as Jesus instructed) for the power to come through the Spirit. When the Spirit did come, no one remained the same. The Apostle Peter stood up and quoted a scripture from the Prophet Joel that said, “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophecy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” This is a deliberate move of God to pour out His Spirit on old and young. There’s an identity we receive in God’s Spirit; a power to believe, take authority, apply what we’ve learned, and explain to others the hope we have in Christ. Peter was an uneducated fisherman and yet now an eloquent spokesman for the living God. He’s filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, enabling him to do what his heart now desires…sharing the truth of who Jesus is to the world.
So, how do we experience the direction, revelation, and power of the Holy Spirit?
Invite the Holy Spirit into your life intentionally.
Lean on Him for the direction, revelation, and power that you’re needing.
Let Him be your friend…talk to Him like you talk to Jesus.
Use this friendship to share the good news with all.
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