For many believers, the Holy Spirit is ‘somewhere or all around us’, but they more easily relate to God as Father, or the Lord Jesus as Saviour. In the general Church, little is spoken about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives today. Jesus, however, promised that the Father would send us the Holy Spirit after His resurrection. The Holy Spirit is the most misunderstood member of the Trinity. He has been treated as if He were an outsider in many Christian circles. Little is known about Him, and when Christians do talk about Him, they do so in a way that locks Him in the past or minimal ways in the present. It seems that little is known about the work of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit has a very vital role in the life of the Christian and is the present manifestation of God on earth today. Jesus spoke clearly about the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives.
John 14:26 – 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 things that I said to you.
John 15:26 – But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.
He is One of the Trinity.
The Holy Spirit is therefore more than just ‘a spirit’. He is the Spirit of God – He is one of the Trinity, a distinct person. Following are some Scriptures that shed more light on what the Holy Spirit does for us, in us and through us as Believers. Pray through each passage and ask the Holy Spirit to work in you for the glory of the Father to become evident in your life.
The Holy Spirit has transforming power.
1. The Holy Spirit transforms us into the image of Jesus.
2 Corinthians 3:18 – But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2. The Holy Spirit brings salvation and holiness.
2 Thessalonians 2:13 – But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth…
3. The Holy Spirit gives us the power to be witnesses of Jesus.
Acts 1:8 – But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
4. The Holy Spirit enables us to wait for the fulfilment of God’s promise.
Galatians 5:5 – For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
5. The Holy Spirit brings joy.
1 Thessalonians 1:6 – And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit…
6. The Holy Spirit identifies us as God’s own.
Ephesians 1:13 – In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise…
7. The Holy Spirit helps us be obedient to God.
1 Peter 1:22 – Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart…
He speaks to us.
8. The Holy Spirit speaks to us.
Revelation 2:7 – “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ‘
9. The Spirit of God reveals things to us.
1 Corinthians 2:10 – But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.
10. The Holy Spirit gives us access to the Father.
Ephesians 2:18 – For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
11. The Holy Spirit gives us a new life.
Titus 3:5 – …not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit…
12. The Holy Spirit gives us inner strength.
Ephesians 3:16 – …that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man…
13. The Holy Spirit lives on the inside of us.
1 Corinthians 3:16 – Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
The Spirit brings freedom.
14. The Spirit of the Lord brings freedom.
2 Corinthians 3:17 – Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
15. The Holy Spirit fills us with boldness.
Acts 4:31 – And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
16. The Holy Spirit produces fruit in our lives.
Galatians 5:22-23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
17. The Holy Spirit frees us from the power of sin.
Romans 8:2 – For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
18. The Holy Spirit leads us.
Romans 8:14 – For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
19. The Holy Spirit helps us when we pray.
Romans 8:26a – Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses.
20. The Holy Spirit prays/intercedes for us.
Romans 8:26b – For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
He gives personal instructions.
21. The Holy Spirit gives us personal instructions.
Acts 8:29 – Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.”
22. The Holy Spirit confirms things as true.
Romans 9:1 – I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit…
23. The Holy Spirit encourages us.
Acts 9:31 – Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.
24. The Holy Spirit gives us gifts.
1 Corinthians 12:4 – There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
25. The Holy Spirit calls us for service.
Acts 13:2 – As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
He is our Teacher.
26. The Holy Spirit teaches us.
John 14:26 – 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 things that I said to you.
27. The Holy Spirit testifies about Jesus.
John 15:26 – But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.
28. The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin.
John 16:8 – And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment…
29. The Holy Spirit guides us.
John 16:13 – However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
30. The Holy Spirit calls for the return of Jesus.
Rev. 22:17 – And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!”
