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The 18 Different Ways The Spirit Works In A Believer’s Life

The 18 Different Ways The Spirit Works In A Believer's Life

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PROVERBS: A STRONG MAN IS WISE

Many people talk about the Holy Spirit and mistakenly call Him "It." But the Holy Spirit is not an "it." This misunderstanding arises because most people have been taught so rarely and poorly about the subject matter of the Spirit. Therefore, they think of Him as some mystical power, kind of like an impersonal "force." But that's not at all who He is.

In John 14-16, Jesus makes five declarations about the Helper. The texts are John 14:16-17, 14:26, 15:26, 16:7-10, and 16:13-15. He gave Him the proper and dignified name "Paraclete" in the Greek language, which we translate to "Helper" or "Advocate" in the English language. And if you quickly survey these five sections, you will discover five things Jesus says about the Helper:

  1. He exclusively dwells within a believer (John 14:16-17).
  2. He teaches and reminds believers of what Jesus has said (John 14:26).
  3. He speaks the truth and testifies to Jesus (John 15:26).
  4. He convicts on matters of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:7-10).
  5. He speaks and declares things to come (John 16:13-15).

So here is the text for today:

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. — John 16:13-15

So from this, there is one thing I want you to know today. The Spirit that lives within you is not an impersonal force. It is the third person of the Trinity that lives within you. The same Spirit that was at work at the beginning of time (Genesis 1:1-2). The same Spirit that was present at the conception of Jesus (Matthew 1:20-21). The same Spirit that descended on Jesus at His baptism (Luke 3:21-22). The same Spirit that fell on the people of God after the ascension (Acts 2:4). And that same Spirit we are baptized into (Matthew 28:19).

If you read further into the New Testament, you will discover even more that he does in a believer's life.

  1. Empowers: He gives the power to witness (Acts 1:8).
  2. Knows: He knows our good and bad desires (Acts 5:3–11).
  3. Speaks: He speaks to believers (Acts 10:19; 11:12; 13:2; 21:11).
  4. Directs: He guides the decision-making process (Acts 15:28).
  5. Prevents: He can stop or prevent something (Acts 16:6).
  6. Intercedes: He prays on our behalf (Romans. 8:26).
  7. Resides: The Spirit resides in believers (1 Corinthians 6:19).
  8. Wills: He has a will and makes choices and decisions (1 Corinthians 12:11).
  9. Gives Gifts: He gives spiritual gifts to believers for the building up of the church (1 Corinthians 12:4-11).
  10. Communes: We can be in fellowship with him (2 Corinthians 13:14).
  11. Produces: He produces spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22-23).
  12. Feels: He can feel sorrow or be grieved (Ephesians 4:30).
  13. Influences: He can be resisted or suppressed (1 Thessalonians 5:19).

Here is what we learn from a list like this. This person of the Trinity is not some impersonal force. He is the living and active Spirit of God that dwells within every believer. Many believers often never consider him or get to know him. But he is the means by which we live, grow, and experience the supernatural working of Christ in our everyday life.

So today, I want you to stop living life by your own power and strength. If you keep doing things this way, you will only get the limited results of your power and strength. Become increasingly more aware of the Spirit within you. Find one attribute of the person of the Spirit of God, and ask him to make this known in and through you. Just one, and then pay attention today and see if he does not immediately come to you.

I dare you.

ASK THIS:

  1. Reflect on your understanding and relationship with the Holy Spirit. How has your perception of the Spirit as an impersonal "force" hindered your connection to Him? What steps can you take today to recognize and invite the Holy Spirit's personal and active role in your daily life?
  2. Choose one attribute of the Holy Spirit from the list provided (such as empowers, knows, speaks, etc.). How have you seen this attribute manifest in your life or the lives of those around you? How will you intentionally seek to experience this attribute of the Spirit in your walk with Christ today?

DO THIS: Stop thinking of the Spirit as an impersonal force and treat him like a person of God who lives within you.

PRAY THIS: Holy Spirit, guide me into all truth and empower me to live by Your strength, not my own. Reveal to me the attributes You desire to make known in my life, and help me to be attentive to Your presence, trusting in Your active work in me. Amen.

PLAY THIS: Holy Spirit.

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41 thoughts on “The 18 Different Ways The Spirit Works In A Believer’s Life”

  1. Jeff Humphry says:

    Jeff Humphry, Exton PA
    Thanks Vince for these talks on the Holy Spirit, it’s good to get some practical guidance on Him.

    Reply
  4. Jason Taylor says:

    Excellent list of what the Holy Spirit can do for us! It is something I am going to keep close for future referral and reminders. Jason Taylor – Menomonee Falls, WI

    Reply
  6. Matt Preuss says:

    Thank you for this devotion. I have been very self-reliant in my faith walk lately, and this was a wake-up call. Matt Preuss, Lincoln NE

    Reply
  7. Marco Botha says:

    Hi Vince, any chance of sending a copy to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia? I am part of a church group that meet every Friday to worship together.

    Reply
  8. Michael Mitchell says:

    What a great teaching, Vince. The “CHURCH” is long overdue teaching about the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of a Christ-follower. However, the Holy Spirit is a gentleman who will not intrude into our lives. We must invite him to indwell in us, and this invitation to the Holy Spirit is not a one-time event; it is a daily practice, a way for us to navigate life’s challenges and celebrate its joys with a sense of divine guidance and companionship. It’s a continuous process of aligning one’s thoughts, actions, and intentions with the values and teachings of Jesus, guided by the Holy Spirit’s presence.

    As we allow Jesus to be Lord and Master over every area of our life and invite the Holy Spirit to work in and through us daily to guide our steps, we experience the abundant life Jesus promised (John 10:10).

    The Holy Spirit then leads us into wisdom, grants us spiritual fruit, and empowers us to live a life marked by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. – Gal. 5:22-23

    Then and only then will we fully enjoy these fruits, attributes, true freedom, and fulfillment in our lives as the Holy Spirit empowers us for Christian living, provides guidance, and seals us as children of God.

    Jesus speaking to his disciples said, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” – John 14:16-17

    Michael Mitchell
    Jacksonville, FL

    Reply
  13. Bob Maixner says:

    I lived over 50 years not understanding importance of the Holy Spirit living within me. Thank you for today’s message, so important to knowledge, the Christ left us with the Holy Spirit that resides within us. Life is so much better when I get out of the way of letting the Holy Spirit shine.

    Reply
  16. Charles Dangerfield says:

    Charles Dangerfield
    Elk Grove, CA.

    Vince this is one the most important teaching devotionals you have ever done. So many people simple are not aware of the importance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit. It is incomprehensible to me how little is taught about Him. I recall, when I first was really taught about the Holy Spirit, and not just the (Holy Ghost that made you “feel” a certain way) I was actually angry that it was not taught to me before. Anyway, thank you Brother. Stay faithful and obedient to His calling on your life.

    Reply
  17. gonzalo correa says:

    Gonzalo Correa
    Santa Maria, CA

    Great Word today (everyday!).
    I will share this Devo with my brothers. I’m facilitating a small group and we are studying the Holy Spirit. We are breaking down each trait, attribute of the Holy Spirit.

    Reply
  26. Jesse G Skytland says:

    These devotionals have changed my life for the better! Thank you Vince. Jesse Skytland / Baraboo, Wisconsin

    Reply
    • Josh Kuenzi says:

      I’m guilty of thinking of the Holy Spirit as somehow the least of the Trinity and more impersonal. Great devotional Vince.
      Josh Kuenzi
      Winslow, Illinois

      Reply
  27. John Laumb says:

    Thank you so much for your devotional on the Holy Spirit. I’m embarrassed to say I’m one of those that describes Him as It. In my 85 years of life I have experienced His power many times and am grateful for his presence inmy life.

    Reply
  31. Eddie Ackerman says:

    Eddie Ackerman
    Becker, MN

    Vince, thanks for the reminder that The Holy Spirit is a person and that He lives in every believer. I know this to be true but can get caught up in my own life, and in God’s way, and forget this sometimes.

    Reply
  34. CJ Lasich says:

    I’m so thankful that Holy Spirit inside of us as believers is just part of the inheritance we receive as a result of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Knowing that He desires fellowship with us – that we can speak with him in normal voice and not approach him with “King James” language. Yet always being mindful of the awe of God and that at the same time He is one of the trinity just continues to amaze me that a part of Him dwells inside we believers.

    Knowing that He will never leave us nor forsake us is especially helpful to me. When I feel distant, I have things in my mind that I need to address, He does not leave me.

    I keep going back to blocking out every type of “noise” in this world that I can – so that I can follow the Holy Spirit’s lead in life. As Jesus tells us to seek Him with our everything, I’m finding that as I remove so many unnecessary things – social media, news, things that are not healthy to think on, etc, the clarity produced by focusing on Him with less “noise” truly allows me to take thoughts captive and have a stronger relationship with Holy Spirit.

    I keep thinking back to the Jews leaving Egypt and wandering in the desert and God’s pillar of glory cloud leading the way. I’m looking for that in the Holy Spirit. If He isn’t leading me there, I don’t want to go there.

    Thanks Vince for all you do!

    Reply
    • Edward Jackman says:

      This is amazing! What great reflection! Getting rid of the noise and by doing so making more room for the Holy Spirit in our lives and souls! Awesome! Thank you for sharing this!

      Reply
  36. Adam Clark says:

    May God continue to bless your Men’s ministry. Like you, I believe it one of the most essential and needed ministries in this fallen world.

    Reply
  37. Bob Smotherman says:

    Listen to your heart. The Holy Spirit is in there trying to guide you in the ways of the Lord…not this world!

    Reply

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