Into the Holy Spirit

What is the Holy Spirit? Why should we care?

I’m going to stop right there for a moment to admit that Lifechurch.tv among other sources did much of my beginning research for me. Also, I want to give you a little time to think about and ask yourself those questions.

To start with, this has been on my mind and my heart to write about and the longer I wait the less I will be able to write. Already I have wasted too much time. In starting, we must look at the first question: what is it?

The Holy Spirit is much more than an it, it is a He. So, from that, we must look at who the Spirit is and what He does. The Holy Spirit is the 3rd person of the Trinity, He is God and is of God. The Holy Spirit has been around for just as long as God has been (all eternity). In fact, the Spirit can be seen in the very beginning of our history. Genesis 1:2 says, “the earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. ” Now, if I’m not careful, I will follow the same track that Lifechurch uses and will get into trouble with plagiarism (I’ve never done that before and I don’t intend to start). But, we know that He has been there from the start.

Throughout history, the Holy Spirit was given to and interacted with society. However, Jesus reintroduced the Holy Spirit to man as the Paraclete (Luke 14:16). This word literally means “called to one’s side,” but it’s translated several different ways in English. Some of the most common translations are Advocate, Comforter, Encourager, and Counselor. This gives a more clear picture of who the Spirit is and what He does. Like the other 2 parts of God, Paraclete has many names. Furthermore, not 1 of these names can contain or completely define him. But, let’s break them down for a better picture.

1. Advocate: An advocate is one those words that people don’t usually grasp well, but an advocate is someone that fights for you or your cause. One of the key functions of the Spirit is to go ahead of us into battle. Like a lawyer, the spirit pleads our case.
2. Comforter: Like the comforter on your bed, the spirit is there to give rest. When you are wounded, one the first things we seek is comfort, this is what the spirit does for our souls. Rest for the weary is one of the key functions of the spirit.
3. Encourager: Like a coach, the Holy Spirit pushes us to do the things we think we can’t. When we’re saying to ourselves, “I can’t do this, it’s too much, I can’t go on.” The Spirit is right there saying, “Yes you can, I’m right here beside you. Nothing is impossible now.”
4. Counselor: This is where we get the classic view of the spirit, He’s our “conscience.” This goes for everything from deciding to take that jab in Seattle to feeling the guilt about what you did last night. These are a result of the prodding of the spirit, His counsel.

This of course is not all there is to the spirit. He shows up in many ways and does the one thing He does best every time. He empowers us to do God’s will. The Holy Spirit can and will make speakers, teachers, prayers, and teachers of us all… if we let him. The Spirit may also give supernatural gifts such as prophecy, healing, and even speaking in tongues. Another and perhaps more important aspect of the Holy Spirit is his ability to make us feel the way that God feels.

I was reading a book by Chris Tiegreen called Feeling Like God. This book has been very challenging because it introduces a whole new way of leading in discipleship. Chris talks about the emotional side of our relationship with God and how the Spirit is a major part in that. What this tells us is that if we want to know God’s heart, we must understand his emotions and in order to do that we must first seek the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, I want to encourage you to do just that. Seek the Spirit. Pray for Him to move in your life. David was a man after God’s heart because he knew the Spirit. Why not make it your goal to become intimate with God through his Spirit?

In Christ,

Adam

p.s. This is a much understated lesson on the Holy Spirit. He has the power to move even in the hardest of hearts. May you and your own heart consider the power that is offered to you through the Holy Spirit. Power not so man can grow rich and achieve his own glory but great power to perform the works of God and bring glory to The Father. I pray that you would receive this in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.