My Personal Person

The Perfect Gentle Spirit-Man

The person and the work of the Holy Spirit cannot be over-emphasized, despite all the written scriptures on the power of the Holy Spirit, books, teachings from the church alter, floods of articles online and many more. I have discovered that many Christians are still oblivious to the truth about the Holy Spirit and His Power, Most importantly His nature and what He has been sent to do on earth for mankind. This relates particularly to Christians and I don't mean Christians just by title; but actual followers of Christ.

In this article, I will share a few nuggets from my understanding of what I've read from the scriptures as well as many other anointed books. I pray and believe that the eyes of your heart will be enlightened so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints and that we all come to a knowledge of the truth we have in the Word of God. Amen.

1. The Holy Spirit is your friend and your helper, just as Jesus calls you friend. [John 15:15]

Firstly, I hope that you already believe in the trio God, The Holy Spirit is co-equal with God the Father, and God the Son but each manifests in different ways.

Jesus calls you friend, why? For everything that He has learned from my Father He made known to you. In the same gospel, it is written that The Advocate, Counsellor the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in Jesus name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. I hope you see the similarity. Do you not know that same Spirit that works in Jesus works in you too?

When I mean "you" I am referring to those who have placed their faith in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit is NOT a gift from God for all. [John 14:17]. Although the Holy Spirit is the one who brings conviction to an unbeliever and allows them to see the truth of the gospel in a clear understanding.

You receive the gift of the Holy Spirit when you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord of your life and by inviting the person of the Holy Spirit to come into your heart by faith. The Holy Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are children of God. [Romans 8:16]

To really grasp the understanding on the person of the Holy Spirit, one needs to really study the person of Jesus, his lifestyle, character, attitude towards people, his values, principles, praying pattern, miracles he worked, his constant reliance & understanding of Gods love & communication with God. All of these attributes wouldn't have been possible without the presence and help of the Holy Spirit. You'd agree with me the Holy Spirit was present during Jesus' life on earth.

Jesus knowing fully well His mission on earth and fulfilling it. Jesus went to that cross of crucifixion, died, buried and was resurrected on the third day for our sake so that we can have a new life in Christ, up to the point where He ascended into Heaven, isn't it thoughtful of Him not to leave us as orphans, He gave us the amazing gift - His own Spirit to live and be with us and upon us. [John 14:18, John 16:13-15, Mark 16:19]

God doesn't waste resources and He will never give His time to what is irrelevant and purposeless. If God says the Holy Spirit is your helper, you had better seek Him today.

So with this understanding, I hope you now see how important the Holy Spirit is as your friend and your helper whom you can rely on. He is a perfect gentle Spirit and will never force his friendship on you, if you need Him, you must show a willing attitude and desire to know Him the more.

Note: The Holy Spirit didn't just pop up on the day of Pentecost, He is involved right at the beginning even before creation [Gen 1:2].

Throughout the whole account of the Old Testament, The Holy Spirit is really active, He comes upon certain men to do certain task. He anoints somebody for a task and leaves once completed. e.g. Samson, Saul,

However, in the New Testament, when He comes upon men, He doesn't leave but remains e.g. Act 2:17 & Joel 2:28 - Day of Pentecost, Jesus experience at the river Jordan during His baptism etc.

2. The Holy Spirit lives in you, He is with you and upon you!

If you haven't read the book "The Spirit Within & the Spirit Upon" by Kenneth E. Hagin, I would recommend you grab a copy and be blessed.

It is vital that you understand and accept the truth that there is no other greater friend in this world except in the person of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit dwells in us because our body is God's temple hence why we should flee from sexual immoralities [1 Corinth 3:16].

The Holy Spirit knows our hearts, intentions, [1 Corinth 2:11], He helps us in our willfulness and discretion, helps us to have effective communication and intimacy with our God the Father. He is excellent and knowledgeable in all areas/works of life, He is a dependable guardian, He intercedes for us and He is also the one who enables us to live out the fruits of the Spirit [Gal 5:22]. He equips the saints with the gifts of the Holy Spirit for the edification of the church (People of God) until we all reach unity in the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ. [Neh. 9:20, John 15:26, Acts 13:2, Rom. 8:14,26,27]

Let me touch on power and how it is linked to the Holy Spirit.

Power by definition is the ability or capacity to do something or act in a particular way. [Oxford Lang.]

Interestingly, Act 1:7-8 shows an emphasis from Jesus stating "you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

In the same vein in verse 5, Jesus said "For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

The Holy Spirit coming upon you and the experience of the baptism of the Holy Spirit are not different in my opinion. To baptize means to immerse, most times in water. Apostle John said in Luke 3:16 that he baptizes with water but Jesus will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and Fire. So think of it as been overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit and when this happens, power is released.

Now the question is for what purpose? Is it to empower yourself only? to manipulate people & taking advantage of them? to extort financial aid from people? No, I don't think so. The purpose is mentioned in Act 1:8, to bear witness of the Glory we have in Christ Jesus, by proclaiming the gospel in our actions/deeds and lifestyle to the people around us by becoming eyes, hands and feet of Jesus in today's world.

To receive the power of God, it would require a relationship with the Holy Spirit, asking for illumination when studying the Word of God, engaging in prayer is also major means in making power available, "then pray for one another to be instantly healed, for tremendous power is released through the passionate, heartfelt prayer of a godly believer!"

How do you know when you have been baptized with the Holy Spirit and Fire?

One example is the speaking of tongues, other major examples are stipulated in 1 Corinthians 12, illustrating different gifts of the Holy Spirit but still through the same Spirit distributing diverse kinds of Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

What is the benefit of Speaking in other tongues?

For effectual and Fervent Prayer

For anyone who speaks in tongues does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit [1 Cor 14:2]. The Holy Spirit communicates effectively through our spirit to God. Be reminded that you are first a spirit, you live in a body and you have a soul.

[Rom 8:26] And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.

Do you think you can cover everything that matters to you and all your affairs on a prayer list with bullet points? Don't get me wrong, having a prayer guideline is good, but what I'm saying is there is so much going on which is behind our understanding and knowledge, yet very crucial to our life. So you'd agree with me that we have weaknesses in many areas of life - as you are thinking of immediate things to pray for, there are 1001 things that are yet to happen that you are unaware of, hence the importance of the Holy Spirit and the gift of speaking in other tongues.

The Holy Spirit searches all things, He knows all things and we can engage with Him effectively to help us pray for these things by praying in the Holy Spirit.

[Supporting verses Eph. 6:18, Heb. 5:7, Act 19:1, 2 Tim1:6,14, Acts 19:5-6, Acts 10:44, Ephe 5:18-19]

For building up ourselves spiritually

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost [Jude 1:20] - What an encouragement from Jude as he shows us praying in the Spirit can be seen as a spiritual exercise which is helpful if we want to stay healthy spiritually and physically.

Anyone who speaks in tongues edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. [1 Cor 14:4] - self-explanatory isn't it?

If I've stirred something in your heart today and you feel the need to experience these gifts of the Holy Spirit and the desire to walk in step with the Holy Spirit in moulding you into who God says you are and live out a life of purpose for God. All you need to do is follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit [1 Cor 14:1].

Feel free to ask God for the gift of the Holy Spirit and He will give you. He is a loving Father and He wants us to lay hold on everything He has provided for us that pertains to life and godliness.[2 Peter 1:3]

If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” [Luke 11:13]

Don't forget the Holy Spirit is a person and not an experience or a thing/force so ensure you build a relationship with Him today. I hope you are blessed by this piece.

I will continue with the next chapter in explaining how the Holy Spirit manifests in the three major dispensations stipulated in the Bible.

Thanks & God bless

Edited by @temz