Many of us refer to the Holy Spirit and call upon under many circumstances yet in truth, we do not have any relationship with him. We only pay lip service to him but he is not our friend. We call him because we are told he performs many functions, some of which may benefit us. Having knowledge of him may not be as helpful as having a personal relationship with him.
However, in this discussion, we intend to focus on some of the functions of the Holy Spirit as the word of God says. Indeed no book can adequately contain the works of the Holy Spirit. The knowledge of who he is may help us to have personal relationships with him through Christ Jesus. so, who is the Holy Spirit or what are his functions in the scheme of scripture?
- He is God’s overwhelming power. We read from Luke 1: 35 the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the most high will overshadow you. He is God’s Spirit present with and in us and that makes him the dominant personality in our lives.
- He reveals the truth of God. It is said in Luke 2: 26 it had been revealed to him (Simeon) by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. No truth can escape him because he knows us from the heart even in darkness and hiding.
- He is the divine teacher. It is written in Luke 12: 12 that for the Holy Spirit will teach you in the hour what you ought to say. He is also the Counselor in John 14: 26, but the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. He refreshes our memory with God’s will.
- He is God’s vision to us. He enables us to see beyond the sight or the physical or the ordinary. Acts 7: 55 say but he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Without the Holy Spirit, we will be blind spiritually.
- He is our source of joy. Acts 13: 52 says and the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Genesis 21: 6 says now Sarah said, God has brought laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me. The Holy Spirit brings good tidings even in our most despicable moments.
- He is our competent witness. Acts 20: 23 says except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. He witnesses all happenings and events including our words in secret. He is ubiquitous and/or omnipresent sent from God the Father.
- He appoints our leaders. Acts 20: 28 says take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God which he obtained with the blood of his own Son. He sets out the work and responsibility for anyone he appoints so he may be in tune with God’s will at all times. Good and proper leadership comes from God.
- He is God’s gift of conscience. Romans 9: 1 says I am speaking of the truth in Christ, I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit. Our conscience dies when we are severed from the Holy Spirit. Our conscience is our immediate judge of our deeds.
- He enables our hope in Christ Jesus. Romans 15: 13 say may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. When all hope is gone and we have nowhere to turn to, the Holy Spirit will retool us with our lost hope.
- He sanctifies our offerings. Romans 15: 16 say so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Our offerings which we present to God are equally as filthy as we are and do not please God. it takes the Holy Spirit to sanctify it for acceptance.
- He enables God’s signs and wonders. Romans 15: 18-20 say, Christ enabled me to win obedience from the Gentiles, by word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Signs and wonders draw unbelievers to God. However, his own do not need signs and wonders in order to believe in him. We know in whom we trust!
- He has the power of conviction. 1 Thessalonians 1: 5 say for our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. He dispels falsehood and doubts of the enemy which creates confusion in our minds. He straightens out our confusions.
- He enables our rebirth and renewal. Titus 3: 3-5 say, for we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures,… But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our saviour appeared, he saved us,… according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirits. God’s Spirit makes us anew in Christ Jesus.
- He loathes hardened hearts. Hebrews 3: 7-8 say therefore as the Holy Spirit says, today when you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness. He knows the wages of sin is death so he always cautions us against stubbornness.
- He enables testifying of God. 2 Peter 1: 21 says but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot truly testify of God. He strengthens our weaknesses in testifying of God. We must not substitute our thoughts as words of the Holy Spirit. Our imaginations and perceptions are different from the wisdom of the Holy Spirit.
- He enables effective prayer. Jude 1: 20 says pray in the Holy Spirit. He does so by giving us utterance. Acts 2:4 say they began to speak in other tongues, as the spirit gave them utterance. Effective prayer comes from a relationship with the Holy Spirit. Effective prayer gives peace, and comfort in Christ Jesus, says Acts 9: 31. He is our companion in prayer and everything.
- He gives wisdom, knowledge and spiritual gifts. 1 Corinthians 12: 7-8 says to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good… All these are activated by the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses. 1 Corinthians 14: 12 say since you are eager for spiritual gifts, strive to excel in them for building up the church. God’s church needs spiritual revival. Are we partakers of God’s revival? The eternal judge is coming soon!
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, we have come to the true knowledge of your Holy Spirit. By your Holy Spirit, perfect our weaknesses unto righteousness. Enable us to live aright and in truth by your Holy Spirit. Be our most cherished companion and guide in our journey of life in your holy name, Amen!!
