There is no more important and spiritually rewarding study than that of the Person, character and works of God. Knowing and understanding His character, commands and works, will help us to discern His will and voice.
The character of God
He is eternal; flawless; sovereign; omnipotent; omnipresent; the Creator; incomprehensible; immeasurable; unchangeable; approachable; full of compassion, grace and mercy; trustworthy; full of love; holy; righteous; without bias; a consuming fire; wise; trustworthy; a provider; nearby; good and our Friend.
The commands of God
Obedience to the commands of God always leads to peace, reconciliation with God and people, love towards God and people, and compassion. It is not difficult to obey such a God and to know that when we pray things that are in line with His commandments, He will hear us.
The works of God
We will proceed boldly and with expectation when we know God’s mighty deeds and His character. Scripture teaches us that God protects, answers prayer, reconciles, saves, breaks the strongholds of the evil one, gives us the Holy Spirit, fills us with the Holy Spirit, teaches us, does the impossible, creates and recreates, destroys the works of evil people, encourages, warns and disciplines us, fills us with power; heals, cleanses and sanctifies us; gives us spiritual gifts and other talents; He punishes; wages war; fills us with His glory and blesses us.
The promises of God
There are literally thousands of promises in the Bible. There are, for instance, more than 300 promises that tell us not to fear. There are hundreds of promises that God will provide and take care of all our needs. There are promises of healing and deliverance from demonic forces. There are promises of deliverance from sin, and that God will grant us eternal life.
It is through reading and daily contemplating these promises that faith is firmly established in our hearts. It is by living by these promises that we see their power, the trustworthiness of God, and this leads to a life firmly established in an unshakeable trust in God.
We must pray in the Spirit and with the power of the Holy Spirit.
The character of the Holy Spirit and His activities
When we want to see victory and breakthroughs, this is only possible when we pray under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and we must be willing to submit to Him and obey His commandments.
Scripture teaches us the following about the character and works of the Holy Spirit:
He is the Spirit of wisdom. (Isaiah 11:2).
He is the Spirit of insight. (Isaiah 11:2).
He is the Spirit of the counsel of God. (Isaiah 11:2).
He is the Spirit of power. (Isaiah 11:2).
He is the Spirit of revelation of knowledge. (Isaiah 11:2).
He is the Spirit of the fear of the Lord. (Isaiah 11:2).
He is the Spirit of holiness. (Romans 1:4).
He is the Spirit of grace and supplication. (Zechariah 12:10).
He is the Spirit of truth. (John 14:17).
He is the Spirit of self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7).
He is the Spirit of love. (2 Timothy 1:7).
He is the Spirit that judges and consumes. (Isaiah 4:4).
He is the Spirit that reminds us of what Jesus said. (John 14:26).
He is the Spirit that convicts of sin. (John 16:8-11).
He is the Spirit that regenerates. (John 3:3-6).
He is the Spirit that gives new life. (Titus 3:5).
He is the Spirit that strengthens us with power in the inner man. (Ephesians 3:16).
He is the Spirit that leads us into all truth. (John 16:13).
He is the Spirit that gives us spiritual gifts. (1 Corinthians 7:7, 12:11).
He is the Spirit that builds up the church. (1 Corinthians 14:12).
He is the Spirit that helps believers when there is disunity/conflict. (Ephesians 4:1-6).
He is the Spirit that is our Helper in prayer. (Romans 8:26-27).
We must pray in the Spirit and with the power of the Holy Spirit. (Jude 1:20; Ephesians 6:18).
God pours out the Holy Spirit on His church in answer to prayer. (Acts 2:1-3; Acts 4:29-31).
Names of the Holy Spirit
The following are some of the names of the Holy Spirit and include His character and works.
A New Spirit (Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26); Advocate (1 John 2:1); Another Comforter (John 14:16); Breath of the Almighty (Job 32:8); Clothing (Judges 6:34); Dove (Luke 3:22); Earnest (2 Corinthians 1:22); Eternal Spirit (Hebrews 9:14); Finger of God (Matthew 12:28; Luke 11:20); Fire (Isaiah 4:4); Gift of God (John 4:10); God (Acts 5:3‑4); Helper (Romans 8:26); His Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 4:8; Isaiah 63:10‑11); His Spirit (Psalm 106:33); His Witness (Acts 5:30‑32); Holy Spirit of God (Ephesians 4:30); Lord (2 Corinthians 3:17); Meal Offering (Leviticus 2:5); My Spirit (Genesis 6:3); Oil (Hebrews 1:9); Omnipotent Spirit (Almighty, All-powerful) (Romans 15:13); Omnipresent Spirit (Ever-present) (Psalm 139:7‑10); Omniscient Spirit (All-knowing, All-seeing) (1 Corinthians 2:10); Paraclete (John 14:16); Porter (Gatekeeper, Doorkeeper) (John 10:3); Power of the Highest (Luke 1:35); Promise of My Father (Luke 24:49); Promise of the Father (Acts 1:4); Promise of the Spirit (Galatians 3:14); Salt (Matthew 5:13); Seal (Ephesians 1:13); Seed (1 John 3:9); Seven Spirits of God (Revelation 4:5); Spirit (Numbers 11:17); Spirit of Adoption (Romans 8:15); Spirit of Burning (Isaiah 4:4); Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9); Spirit of Counsel and Might (Isaiah 11:2); Spirit of Faith (2 Corinthians 4:13); Spirit of Glory (1 Peter 4:14); Spirit of God (Genesis 1:2); Spirit of Grace (Zechariah 12:10); Spirit of Grace and Supplication (Zechariah 12:10); Spirit of Him Who Raised up Jesus (1 Peter 3:18); Spirit of Holiness (Romans 1:4); Spirit of Jesus (Acts 16:6‑7); Spirit of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:19); Spirit of Justice (Isaiah 28:5‑6); Spirit of Knowledge and the Fear of the Lord (Isaiah 1:2); Spirit of Life (Romans 8:2); Spirit of Love (2 Timothy 1:7); Spirit of our God (1 Corinthians 6:11); Spirit of Praise (1 Corinthians 14:15); Spirit of Promise (Ephesians 1:13); Spirit of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2); Spirit of the Lord God (Isaiah 61:1); Spirit of Truth (John 14:17); Spirit of Understanding (Isaiah 11:2); Spirit of Wisdom (Isaiah 1:2); Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation (Ephesians 1:17); Unction from the Holy One (1 John 2:20); Voice of the Almighty (Ezekiel 1:24); Voice of Yahweh (Psalm 29:2); Water (John 7:37‑39); Wind (John 3:8); Witness (Romans 8:16); Your Free Spirit (Psalm 51:12); Your Good Spirit (Nehemiah 9:20); Your Holy Spirit (Psalm 51:11); Your Spirit (Nehemiah 9:30).
Practical exercise
Consider writing down in a notebook one of the names of God, the Holy Spirit, as mentioned above. Then ask Him to reveal who He is according to that name. Consider looking up Scriptures which resonate with a specific name, for example, The Spirit who gives rest. After some study, take your notes and pray them to the Lord, in the Name of Jesus.
This article was taken from “Knowing the will of God” by Bennie Mostert
