How stressful it is to live in an era when many hearts grow cold, and it’s hard to build trustworthy relationships. I can imagine why many would think it’s absurd to nurture the bond with the Personhood of the Holy Spirit. Besides, how can one possibly relate to a dove or wind? No one wants to relate to or develop a relationship with a person if they cannot even know what that person looks like. This concept can lead many to disregard the work of the Holy Spirit in their hearts and to ignore the intimate relationship He wants to create with them; as a result, they grieve the Holy Spirit.
The study of the Holy Spirit is called ‘Pneumatology.’ As we study the Holy Spirit, we’ve discovered that He not only has a functional nature (power/force) but also has characteristics of a human being, which means it is possible to grow in a relationship with the Divine Person of the Holy Spirit. He is a Life-giver. Also, throughout Scripture, we’ve seen that the Spirit takes on multiple forms. For instance, the form of the Life-Breath (Job 27:3), Wind (Exodus 15:8-10/John 3:8), Fire (Matthew 3:11-12), Water (Isaiah 44:3), The Cloud (Exodus 33:9-10), Dove (Luke 3:22), The Paraclete/Intercessor (Romans 8:26-27). Furthermore, Scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit has personality traits such as Helper, Counselor, Comforter, Teacher, Intercessor, and Leader.
For instance, in John 14:16, the Holy Spirit is described as a Comforter/Helper. And in John 14:26, Jesus told His disciples that “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” Here, Jesus declares that the Holy Spirit is an Advocate/Counselor and a Teacher. Scripture says in John 16:13 that “When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth.” Here, Spirit is described as One who leads us into all truth. Also, in Romans 8:26-27, which says, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” In this passage of Scripture, the Holy Spirit is described as an Intercessor. Therefore, the Holy Spirit’s personality traits prove His ability to relate to us.
Based on our study of the Holy Spirit, we’ve learned that He sanctifies (1 Corinthians 6:11), convicts (John 16:8), transforms (2 Corinthians 3:18), edifies (1 Corinthians 14:3), unifies (Ephesians 4:3), and empowers (Acts 1:8). Now, let’s consider a few biblical examples of how the Holy Spirit helped leaders. We’ve learned in Scriptures that the Spirit of the Lord empowered Moses and later rested on the seventy elders, but they were all leaders. For example, “I will take some of the power of the Spirit that was on you and put it on them.” (Numbers 11:17). And “When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied.” (Numbers 11:25). The Holy Spirit would come upon selected leaders such as Joshua, Gideon, Samson, and King Saul. He would empower them for a time until they accomplished their mission. For example, we have two leaders, Scripture says the Holy Spirit departed from them, Samson and Saul. In the case of Samson, Judges 16:20 says that “He did not know that the Lord had left.” And in the case of Saul, 1 Samuel 16:14 says, “Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him.” However, the sacrifice of Jesus made it possible for the Holy Spirit to dwell in all human beings. As a result of Christ’s sacrifice, we can all experience the help of the Holy Spirit, who enables us in all things, especially in the body of Christ.
Also, 1 Corinthians 12:8-11 says, “There is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the Same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing that by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of the same Spirit, and He distributes them to each one, just as He determines.” Thus, this proves that the Holy Spirit is here to enable us in all things.
Now, let’s examine Jesus’s relationship with the Holy Spirit. Several passages of Scripture reveal the intimate relationship between Jesus and the Holy Spirit. For example, Jesus says in John 15:26 that the Spirit of truth will testify about Him. Jesus calls the Holy Spirit ‘The Spirit of Truth’ because He has never betrayed Jesus, and they are so intertwined. Jesus depended on the Holy Spirit and boldly declared the help of His companion before He even started His ministry. In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus says, “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free. To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” In addition, Jesus has such a strong connection with the Holy Spirit that He said that whoever sins against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. (Mark 3:28-29). These biblical references indicate that Jesus’ relationship with the Holy Spirit is inseparable. Therefore, the Holy Spirit has proven to be powerful and reliable.
Now, let’s consider the way the Holy Spirit works within us. In the previous sections, we saw the many ways the Holy Spirit can manifest both functionally and relationally, and the greatest example we have is the life of Jesus. The Holy Spirit can guide us in our decisions, inspire us in our daily activities, encourage us, and comfort us in difficult times. In other words, the Holy Spirit is not only a constant friend who supports us in good times, but He is also faithful even in the inevitable difficulties of life. When we grow in a relationship with the Holy Spirit, He produces in us the fruit of the Spirit, such as love, peace, joy, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23). Consequently, it is biblically proven that no one here on earth has our best interests at heart but the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit not only has a functional nature (power/force) but also has characteristics of a human being, which makes it possible to grow in a relationship with the Divine Person of the Holy Spirit. The Personhood of the Holy Spirit within the Godhead is so unique and versatile. This means He can relate to each one of us uniquely. Through Jesus Christ, we have the privilege of experiencing the daily work of the Holy Spirit in and around us. Therefore, it is important that we do not ignore His functional and relational power, but that we seek to build a closer relationship with Him.
SCRIPTURES
“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” 1 Corinthians 3:16
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30
Leave a Reply