Early in my faith walk I used to think the Holy Spirit was a mysterious force that had little to do with my faith. Talk about MISSING THE MARK. But that’s ok because God showed me the truth and I have not been the same ever since. Seriously.
It seems like the Holy Spirit gets less attention than God the Father and Jesus the Son. I’ve had that thought numerous times and I know others have, too, because I often hear it in comments from our global online tribe. But my goal here is not to explain WHY God’s Spirit gets short shrift in the Christian community. I want to put a spotlight on the majestic power that comes from the Holy Spirit.
I’ll do that with my TOP 10 list of reasons why we should spend more time thinking about, and with, the Holy Spirit.
ONE: The Holy Spirit ADOPTS Believers receive a “mark of adoption” and spiritual confidence in their salvation from the Holy Spirit.
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.” Ephesians 1:13
TWO: The Holy Spirit RENEWS
The Christian faith is all about renewal and that’s what the Holy Spirit gives all believers for eternity.
“But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life[a] because of righteousness.” Romans 8:10
THREE: The Holy Spirit INTERCEDES
God knew his children would feel weak and uncertain about what to think or do. So he sent the Holy Spirit to intercede on our behalf and bring us into union with God’s Word of truth.
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” Romans 8:26
FOUR: The Holy Spirit SANCTIFIES
Followers of Christ are on a life-long journey toward sanctification—the holiness of God that keeps us on HIS path and away from sin.
“…walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16
FIVE: The Holy Spirit GUIDES
The Holy Spirit shows us the way to God’s TRUTH. He is the “Spirit of Truth.”
“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” John 16:13
SIX: The Holy Spirit GIVES
Believers receive the gifts of wisdom and knowledge from the Holy Spirit.
“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:8
SEVEN: The Holy Spirit REVEALS
God gave believers the Holy Spirit because he knew we would need power and wisdom to know Jesus better and to live out our faith.
“…no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:11
EIGHT: The Holy Spirit LIVES
The Holy Spirit lives inside every believer. He DWEELS in us and shows his presence through us.
“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” Corinthians 3:16
NINE: The Holy Spirit TEACHES
The Holy Spirit provides wise counsel to Christ’s followers. Jesus knew he would be going away and that his followers would need the Holy Spirit as a helper and an advocate to remind them of his teachings.
“The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26
TEN: The Holy Spirit CONVICTS
The Holy Spirit explains to the world sin, righteousness, and judgment.
“…Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment.” John 16:7-8.
May I never forget that the Holy Spirit is an equal part of God’s Trinity and a powerful force for good in my life if I summon him on a regular basis.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Are you connected to the Holy Spirit?
“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship…” Romans 8:14-16
“God chose you as first fruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.” 2 Thessalonians 2:13
“He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior.” Titus 3:4-6 
