What is the Holy Spirit?

What is the Holy Spirit?

Author: Cynthia Greene

The Holy Spirit is:

• Counselor – John 14:6
• Helper – Hebrews 13:6
• Comforter – John 14:16-31, John 16:7-8
• Teacher—John 14:26, 1 John 2:27
• Spirit of Truth – John 15:26, John 16:13
• Spirit of Life – Romans 8:2, 8:9,k John 6:63
• Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding – Isaiah 11:2
• Fruits of the Spirit–Galatians 5:22-23
• Dwells in us-John 14:17
• Mind of God—1 Corinthians 2:16
• Intercessor—Romans 8:26-27, Ephesians 2:18, 6:18, Matthew 6:7
• Power to Worship God—John 4:24, Psalm 100:4, Ephesians 5:18-20
• Required for Eternal Life-Romans 8:9, 13-14, Galatians 5:16-18

As Counselor the Holy Spirit provides guidance on how to live in this world but not be of this world and gives wisdom to live our lives aligned with God’s Word and Truth. 

The word Helper can refer to someone that comes alongside another person to help or assist them in needs that they have.  The Holy Spirit helps and guides us in living a Godly life. 

Throughout our lives we will have times of disappointment, betrayal, loss, grief, and trials, and betrayal will come along. It is in these times that the Comforter will help strengthen us and give us peace during difficult times.

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; ⁴ Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

In John 14:26 we read, “…[ the Holy Spirit ]  shall teach you all things…”

But the anointing which ye have received of him abides in you, and you need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.(1 John 2;27)

In these darkened times we live in, discerning truth from lies is an on-going struggle. 

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come (John 16:13)

The Spirit of Life is based on us walking in the Spirit and being led out of darkness into the light of God’s way.   Romans provides a strong warning that if we do not have the Holy Spirit we will not be considered Children of God.

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. (Romans 8:9)

James 3:13 asks, “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you?”  Proverbs 13:1 says, “A wise one heeds his father’s instruction.”  A true Christian will seek Godly wisdom and understanding and make decisions accordingly.

And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord…(Isaiah 11:2)

For what man knows the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knows no man, but the Spirit of God. (1 Corinthians 2:11)

Without the Holy Spirit it is impossible to bear the fruits of God’s Spirit. By our own self we cannot produce these Godly fruits in our lives.  It is only through the Holy Spirit that we build and grow in Godly character. We read in Ephesians 5:18, “…but be filled with the Spirit.”

We shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. (Mat. 7:16-20)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law…(Galatians 5:22-23)

The Holy Spirit is God’s very own mind, presence, divine power, and nature. 

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (2 Corinthians 3:17)

But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:17)

For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16)

Our prayers and worship to God are ways we connect and build a deeper relationship with Him. 

Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. ²⁷ And he that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because he makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26)

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. (Psalm 100:4)

For Christians, our sanctification journey requires us to bear the Fruits of God’s Spirit to become part of His family.

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. (Romans 8:9)