When Jesus allowed His living blood to spill into this world before His death, He opened a pathway for us to connect with the Holy Spirit (John 16:7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you.). As a redeemed believer, we have the Holy Spirit in us (Ephesians 1:13 In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit…).
Character of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is a person. The pronoun “he” is always used in reference to the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not a “force”. He was involved with creation (Genesis 1:2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.), disciplines (John 16:8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment…), teaches (John 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.), leads, carries (Galatians 5:16 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.), offers freedom (Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.), comforts (John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever…), and grieves (Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.).
However, continuous sinful choices will grieve the Holy Spirit and quench His fire within us (1 Thessalonians 5:19 Do not quench the Spirit.). I felt a burden to write this out of my own personal experiences on this subject. I have found my thoughts to be the greatest challenge (2 Corinthians 10:5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ…).
I see and feel a measurable difference when the commandments of Christ are applied in my daily life (John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.).
Constant prayer is required (1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.).
Work with Him and He will work with you…
Matthew 6:1-4 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret: and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.”
