Who Is the Holy Spirit?

May 24, 2022

By Brooke Holt

“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:25-26 ESV)

There is a great fascination in the church and even beyond with the Holy Spirit. People want to know and understand who he is, what he does, and how to experience his power. As Jesus prepares his disciples for his crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, he teaches them about the Holy Spirit who is to come.

As the disciples have lived with Jesus for the past three years, they cannot fathom life without him. Jesus understands their fears and sadness and then assures them of something even greater than his physical presence among them—his physical presence within them. Jesus himself, through the Holy Spirit, will reside in these disciples and in all people who put their trust in his salvific work.

Instead of his teachings being external, they will be internal as the Holy Spirit reminds them of all he has said to them. This Spirit will revive their hearts just as Ezekiel prophesied: “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove your heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26). God’s Word will be written on their hearts and not just on stones so that they will want to obey the Word of the Lord.

Do these words describe your heart today? Do you find within yourself a longing to know God, obey God, and have your life transformed by him? If not, you may need to be filled anew with the Holy Spirit. Every believer has received that Spirit, yet every believer does not live in that Spirit. God longs for his people to not just receive the Holy Spirit but to be filled daily with that Spirit.

Why? Because his Spirit is there to remind us of his words, empower us to obey them, transform our lives to look more like his, and create his fruit within us (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—see Galatians 5:22-23). The Holy Spirit equips us for every good work (Hebrews 13:21).

Have you received the Holy Spirit? Are you allowing him to guide and direct you in all aspects of your life? There is no greater life than a life lived in the power of the Holy Spirit. May we each surrender, receive, and allow the Holy Spirit to lead today!

Reflection:

Have you fully surrendered to the Holy Spirit’s power, work, and guidance? We would love to hear your thoughts and questions in the comments.

Related Resource:

Jesus calls the Holy Spirit a "gift" who will guide us, lead us, and empower us. Yet many believers don't experience the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives. This unique Christian small group Bible study provides a space in which we can explore what it truly means to "walk in the Spirit" on a daily basis. The Spirit-Filled Life small group curriculum centers on a 6-part video teaching series examining the life-giving and creative work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Begin to experience the gift today!