There are two primary events of the Holy Spirit in our Christian lives. First, when we believe in Jesus we are born again, and the Holy Spirit comes inside us. Everyone who believes in Jesus has the Holy Spirit inside, for “if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not his” (Romans 8:9). The second major event we have with the Holy Spirit is when we are baptized in the Holy Spirit. At this time we are filled with the Holy Spirit for the first time and empowered to serve God (Acts 1:5, 8; 2:4).
The Holy Spirit does many things in our lives. When we first believe the gospel, the Holy Spirit comes into us and begins to work within us. But there is much more. When we are baptized in the Holy Spirit, the work of the Holy Spirit is multiplied within us as we are now filled with the Holy Spirit. Throughout our Christian lives, we need to be filled afresh with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). The more we are filled with the Spirit, the more we will experience his powerful work within us.
What does the Holy Spirit do within us?
Empowers
The Holy Spirit empowers us. Jesus compared being baptized in the Holy Spirit to being clothed with power (Luke 24:49). We need spiritual power to live an effective Christian life. This power will come from on high. This power will overcome Satan.
Teaches the Bible
Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit will teach us God’s word (John 14:26). When we read something we don’t understand in the Bible, we should first pray and ask God to teach us. We need God to teach us, not man (1 John 2:27). God will teach us through the Holy Spirit. However, God will also anoint people with the Holy Spirit to expound his word to us. The Holy Spirit can teach us personally, and he can also teach us through other people.
Tells the Future
The Holy Spirit can tell us the future (John 16:13). God knows all things. He knows about the past, present, and the future. Whenever God talks to us it is a miracle. It is not harder for God to talk to us about the future than it is for him to talk to us about the past or present. He will often speak to us through his word, but he can also give us personal revelation. This is easy for God to do. And it should not surprise us that God can tell us the future, for God can do anything.
Bears Fruit
The Holy Spirit produces fruit in our lives (Galatians 5:22). The 9 fruits of the Spirit are supernatural operations of God. Love, joy, peace, and the other fruits of the Spirit are produced by God working in us. They are not produced by ourselves. We need God in order to experience these things. The more we are filled with the Spirit, the more fruit we will bear in our lives.
Satisfies
The Holy Spirit satisfies us like nothing else (John 4:13-14). We were created to be satisfied with God. When we turn to other things for satisfaction we will come back empty. We need God to satisfy us, and then our thirst will be quenched. In God’s presence is fullness of joy and real pleasure (Psalm 16:11). We need to see how awesome God is, taste of him, and then our souls will be truly satisfied.
Counsels
The Holy Spirit is our Counselor. He’s our advocate and spokesperson. He gives us the best advice and wisdom. Sometimes we don’t know what to do, but God knows what we should do. When we lack wisdom, we need to ask God.
Gives Spiritual Gifts
The Holy Spirit gives us spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:6-7). Spiritual gifts are supernatural operations of God working in us. All spiritual gifts are miraculous, including the gifts of helps and administration. All gifts operate by God, and all result in miracles. Prophecy is a miracle, and so is the gift of helping. Both are energized by God, and both create miracles.
Tells Us We are Children of God
The Holy Spirit will tell us that we belong to God and are members of his family (Romans 8:16). Sometimes Satan attacks us with fear and doubt, and we wonder if God loves us. But the Holy Spirit will encourage us, and he is inside us to tell us that we are God’s.
Gives Us Revelation of God
The Holy Spirit knows everything about God, for he is God. The Holy Spirit will reveal God to us (1 Corinthians 2:10-11).
Helps us Pray
The Holy Spirit will pray through us with groaning and powerful cries unto God. We sometimes don’t know what to pray for, but the Holy Spirit will guide us (Romans 8:26-27).
Leads Us
Jesus is our shepherd, and he leads us by his Holy Spirit. We will know the leading of the Spirit as we obey God’s word. Sometimes we will have a sense of peace or clarity that comes from the Holy Spirit, and we know what God wants us to do. Sometimes discomfort will come from the Holy Spirit, and we will know what God does not want us to do. The Holy Spirit can also lead us through other mature Christians.
Overcomes the Flesh
Victory over the lusts of the flesh is possible. This victory is not by the law but by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16). As we follow the leading of the Spirit, we will be empowered to do what God wants us to do. Obedience to God will cause our flesh to be crucified, weakening its power over us.
Has Fellowship with Us
The Holy Spirit makes fellowship among Christians possible, as he flows among us blessing our interactions. But the Holy Spirit can also have fellowship with us personally. So we are never alone, because God is always with us.
We believe in Jesus, so praise God that his Spirit is inside us. If we have been baptized in the Holy Spirit, we have been filled with the Spirit and empowered to serve God. Now let us be filled afresh with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) so that his multifaceted work in our lives increases.
Lincoln House Churches 