The Power Within: Unveiling The Holy Spirit InOur Lives As Believers
Have you ever felt like there was something more to your faith journey? Like you were missing out on a vital part of your relationship with God? Many of us go through life knowing about the Holy Spirit but not fully understanding or experiencing His power in our daily walk. It's time to pull back the veil and discover the incredible gift we've been given in the person of the Holy Spirit.
A. W. Tozer says it like this, “The Spirit-filled life is not a special, deluxe edition of Christianity. It is part and parcel of the total plan of God for His people.” The Holy Spirit isn't an optional add-on to our faith—He is deity, the third person of the Trinity. There is one God, eternally existent in three persons: The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. They are co-equal and co-eternal.
So what does a relationship with the Holy Spirit look like? Let's explore seven key aspects of His work in us through our relationship with him:
1. The Holy Spirit Makes Us Clean
We all experience those "inner uglies"—times when our thoughts and emotions are in turmoil, even if everything looks fine on the outside. The Holy Spirit is our divine house cleaner, decluttering our minds and renewing our spirits. As Psalm 51:10 says, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." It's time to let the Holy Spirit transform your inner world from an episode of "Hoarders" to an HGTV makeover!
2. The Holy Spirit is Our Guide
Life is full of decisions, big and small. Having the Holy Spirit in your life is like bowling with bumpers, gently guiding us toward the right path even when we feel lost. He’s a friend that will point you in the right direction and he’s deity that holds all of the answers. Remember Moses' words in Exodus 33:15: "If your presence does not go with me, do not take me up from here." When faced with tough choices, turn to the Holy Spirit for clarity and direction. Allow him to guide you to achieve his purpose through you.
3. The Holy Spirit Teaches Us How to Pray
Ever feel at a loss for words when you try to pray? Romans 8:26 reminds us that "the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses, for we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." The Holy Spirit understands our deepest needs and communicates them perfectly to the Father with the ultimate goal of the Father’s will to be done in our lives.
4. The Holy Spirit is Our Comforter
In times of sorrow and rejection, the Holy Spirit wraps His arms around us. Isaiah 61 speaks of how He gives us "a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit." When the world lets us down, the Holy Spirit lifts us up.
5. The Holy Spirit is Our Counselor
John 14:26 tells us that the Holy Spirit "will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." He's always available to offer wisdom and remind us of God's truths. The Holy Spirit won’t coddle you, but He’s trustworthy. His counsel may not always be what you want to hear, but if you heed it, He will never steer you wrong.
6. The Holy Spirit is Gentle
The Scripture likens the Holy Spirit to a dove, emphasizing His gentle nature. He doesn't condemn us but convicts us, always seeking to restore us to right relationship with God. Galatians 6:1 encourages us to "restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness." The Holy Spirit's gentleness invites us to be honest about our struggles without fear of judgment, knowing his ultimate desire for us is repentance and restoration.
7. The Holy Spirit is Powerful
Fire, wind, and water—some of nature's most powerful forces—are used as symbols of the Holy Spirit. Why? Because He empowers us to do hard things. Acts 1:8 promises, "You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you." This power isn't just for our benefit, but to enable us to be witnesses for Christ in a broken world.
My journey through breast cancer revealed this truth to me. In the face of physical, emotional, and financial challenges, the Holy Spirit provided strength to fight, peace to endure, and miraculous provision. Even in the hardest moments, there was an opportunity to radiate Jesus through radiation. The power of the Holy Spirit enabled joy and faith to shine through pain and uncertainty.
This power isn't reserved for extreme circumstances. We're called to live empowered lives every day. 1 John 2:20 reminds us, "You have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge." The Holy Spirit has equipped us with everything we need to face life's challenges and fulfill our calling.
So how do we tap into this incredible power? Sometimes, like David after losing his son, we need to remind ourselves of who we are in Christ. We need to "anoint ourselves"—not with literal oil (although I do this from time to time), but with the truth of God's Word and the reality of the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives. We must invite the Holy Spirit to flood our lives, continually filling us as we honor his person with our hearts, worship, and actions.
Imagine waking up each morning and declaring:
“Holy Spirit you are welcome here.”
"I am anointed to face this day."
"I am anointed to be a loving spouse/parent/friend."
"I am anointed to excel in my work."
"I am anointed to overcome temptation."
"I am anointed to bring hope to the hopeless."
This isn't about positive thinking—it's about aligning our minds with the truth of who God says we are and what He's empowered us to do through His Spirit.
The Holy Spirit isn't a vague concept or a distant force. He's a personal, powerful presence ready to clean our hearts, guide our steps, teach us to pray, comfort our sorrows, counsel our minds, gently correct our missteps, and empower our lives.
It's time to stop neglecting or resisting the Holy Spirit and start embracing all of who he is. Let's tear down the veil between the natural and supernatural, inviting the Holy Spirit to work in every area of our lives. As we do, we'll discover a depth of relationship with God we never knew was possible.
Are you ready to live an Spirit-filled, Spirit-empowered life? The journey starts with a simple invitation: "Holy Spirit, you are welcome here. Transform me from the inside out."
