There are many misconceptions about the identity of the Holy Spirit. Some view the Holy Spirit as a mystical force. Others understand the Holy Spirit as the impersonal power that God makes available to followers of Christ. What does the Bible say about the identity of the Holy Spirit? Simply put, the Bible declares that the Holy Spirit is God. The Bible also tells us that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, a being with a mind, emotions, and a will.
The fact that the Holy Spirit is God is clearly seen in many Scriptures, including Acts 5:3-4. In this verse Peter confronts Ananias as to why he lied to the Holy Spirit and tells him that he had “not lied to men but to God.” It is a clear declaration that lying to the Holy Spirit is lying to God. We can also know that the Holy Spirit is God because He possesses the characteristics of God. For example, His omnipresence is seen in Psalm 139:7-8, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.” Then in 1 Corinthians 2:10-11, we see the characteristic of omniscience in the Holy Spirit. “But God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.”
We can know that the Holy Spirit is indeed a divine person because He possesses a mind, emotions, and a will. The Holy Spirit thinks and knows (1 Corinthians 2:10). The Holy Spirit can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30). The Spirit intercedes for us (Romans 8:26-27). He makes decisions according to His will (1 Corinthians 12:7-11). The Holy Spirit is God, the third Person of the Trinity. As God, the Holy Spirit can truly function as the Comforter and Counselor that Jesus promised He would be (John 14:16, 26, 15:26).
Holy Spirit is our guide, our teacher, our “Jimminy Cricket” but in a totally righteous, Holy way. He was left here after Jesus ascended into heaven and was poured out on the church at Pentecost, recorded in Acts 2. I believe that our knowledge of him is limited because we’ve listened to PEOPLE explain him rather than develop our own relationship with God the Father who can and will reveal answers to our questions…if we only ASK them- and believe that God will tell us and we don’t need man to interpret for God. That is not to say that preachers are redundant- I certainly hope not for where would that leave me 😉 but I also think that we spend too much time relying on man to explain what can only be explained (in fullness and truth) by God through Holy Spirit. Sometimes that entails speaking in tongues, sometimes that means an understanding beyond what man can comprehend. He (God the Father) works with each child and utilizes each skill and talent for his glory and honor and WE, if we’re SMART, will be open and amendable to being changed and used.
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I sincerely believe every word of which you have stated here, oimco. Truly well stated and directly to the point. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and the reality of what “we could do – if we only opened our minds and hearts to the word of God and the Holy spirit.”
May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless and keep you and yours always.
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Thank you so much, Altruistico. Appreciate that.
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You are most welcome!
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You are welcome and God bless you and yours.
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I so agree with you, man complicates/muddies what we need to be taught directly from God.
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Don’t they though.Lol!. If we could only learn to Love the Lord thy God (first and foremost); Trust in His capability to have the very best plan for our lives and read His word (study it) we could find true peace within. Thanks Amanda for oyur comment.
May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless and keep you and yours always.
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Thank you muchly 🙂 May you be outrageously blessed by Him in all you do for always.
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Thank you Amanda and may God bless and keep you as well.
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Thank you Amanda.
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