Who is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is the third member of the Trinity—a divine person with a mind, emotions, and will. However, many mistakenly view Him as a mystical force that brings chaos. You may have heard people say, “We were just having a normal prayer meeting, and suddenly, the Spirit of God came, and everything went crazy.”

By crazy, they mean:

• People started screaming.
• Some ran around the room.
• Others began crying.
• The tempo of the music increased.
• Worship songs were repeated endlessly.
• The pastor couldn’t preach

Perhaps you have witnessed such things yourself. However, these are misunderstandings about the Holy Spirit, often rooted in misreading Acts 2.

Acts 2:1–3 (NIV)
1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.

Many people focus on the word “suddenly” and claim that the Holy Spirit moves in unpredictable, chaotic ways. However, in this passage, “suddenly” is simply an expressive way to describe what happened.

The real focus of this passage is that:

• The disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit.
• They spoke in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Two Ways We Experience the Holy Spirit

1. The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit
2. The Infilling of the Holy Spirit

1. The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit

Definition: The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is when God takes up permanent residence in the body of a believer in Jesus Christ.

John 14:17 (NLT)
He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (NLT)
19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,
20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

When does this indwelling occur?

The apostle Paul taught that we receive the Holy Spirit the moment we accept Jesus as our Savior.

Ephesians 1:13 (NIV)
When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:13 (NIV)
For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is permanent.

John 14:16 (NLT)
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.

2. The Infilling of the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 5:18 (NIV)
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

Definition: To be filled with the Spirit means allowing Him to fully occupy every part of our lives, guiding and controlling us.

When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we:

• Live a bold and fearless life.
• Gain wisdom to deal with complex situations.
• Overcome sin and addictions.
• Walk in victory over temptation.

The early apostles were not only indwelt by the Holy Spirit but they were also filled with Him, empowering them to preach boldly.

Acts 4:8–12 (NIV)
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!
9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed,
10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.
11 Jesus is “ ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.

When the Holy Spirit fills us:

• We are no longer timid but bold.
• We are not out of control but disciplined.
• We focus on fulfilling God’s will, not just experiencing emotions in worship.

The Work of the Holy Spirit in a Believer’s Life

1. Sanctification

Definition: Sanctification is the process by which believers are made holy through the work of the Holy Spirit. It produces the holiness that God expects.

Many struggle to live holy lives because they try to do it in their strength. But holiness is not achieved through effort alone—it is the work of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 3:11 (NIV)
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

The word fire here symbolises purification and judgment, not uncontrolled behaviour.

When we pray, we should ask:

• Lord, purify me.
• Holy Spirit, sanctify me.
• Take away my sinful desires and make me holy.

2. The Holy Spirit is the Author of Scripture

2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.

The Holy Spirit inspired the writers of the Bible and helps us understand God’s Word as we read it.

3. The Holy Spirit Helps Us Pray

Zechariah 12:10 (NIV)
“I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication.”

Sometimes we struggle in prayer, but the Holy Spirit helps us communicate with God effectively.

Conclusion

The Holy Spirit is not a force of chaos but the very presence of God in our lives. He indwells every believer, fills us with power, sanctifies us, helps us understand Scripture, and strengthens us in prayer.

Therefore, let us seek to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit, walking in holiness and boldness for His glory.