Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Tonight’s Study, Session 5: Core Belief #4 – God the Holy Spirit

Introduction: Many Christians focus on knowing the Father and the Son, but knowing the Holy Spirit is sometimes given scant attention. As a result, there are many misconceptions about the identity of the Holy Spirit: that He is a mystical force, an impersonal power, or a promoter of show-stopping signs. Is the Spirit an agent of chaos in the church as some church services would imply or is He more passive as some other church services would imply? But what does the Bible say?

The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Godhead. He, equally with the Father and the Son, is God. The Holy Spirit is the Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke through the prophets. He is Spirit, that is, He is immaterial. And He is Holy, set apart and without sin.

The Holy Spirit is Personal

Scripture presents the Holy Spirit as a divine Person. He knows the things of man and God (1 Corinthians 2:10-11).

 He can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30). He intercedes (Romans 8:26-27), makes decisions according to His will (1 Corinthians 12:7-11), and comforts and counsels (John 14:16; 15:26). The Spirit calls specific people to specific tasks (Acts 13:2; 20:28).

1 Corinthians 2:10-11 – But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.

Ephesians 4:30 – And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Romans 8:26-27 – Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 – But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

John 14:16 – And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—

John 15:26 – “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.

Acts 13:2 – As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

Acts 20:28 – Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

The Holy Spirit is Divine

The fact that the Holy Spirit is God is clearly seen in many passages of Scripture. In Acts 5:3-4, Peter confronts Ananias as to why he lied to the Holy Spirit and tells him that he had “not just lied to human beings but to God.” So, lying to the Holy Spirit is lying to God.

Further, the Holy Spirit possesses the characteristics of God. He is omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-8). He is omniscient (1 Corinthians 2:10-11). He is eternal (Hebrews 9:14). And the Spirit does things that only God can do, such as create (Psalm 104:30). Inspires Scripture (2 Peter 1:21), and reveals “the deep things of God” (1 Corinthians 2:10).

The Holy Spirit is as much God as the Father and the Son, as seen in the Great Commission. Jesus said that believers are to be baptized “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” – all three Persons of the Godhead are equal and share one “name” (Matthew 28:19). As God the Holy Spirit is to be obeyed, relied on, worshipped, and trusted.

The Holy Spirit is Active

The Holy Spirit’s presence in the life of a believer is beyond consequential. He permanently indwells believers and seals them until the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13; 4:30) – a ministry He has had since the day of Pentecost in Acts 2. He indwells a person at the moment of conversion. He baptizes believers into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). The Spirit fills believers with “all joy and peace” as they trust the Lord; the result is that believers “overflow with hope” (Romans 15:13).

Ephesians 1:13 – In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.

Ephesians 4:30 – And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

1 Corinthians 12:13 – For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is involved in the sanctification process of believers (1 Peter 1:2). The Spirit leads believers away from the desires of the flesh and into righteousness (Galatians 5:16-18). He fills those who yield themselves to His control (Ephesians 5:18). The Holy Spirit gives gifts of a wide variety (1 Corinthians 12:4), each one given for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7).

1 Peter 1:2 – elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

Galatians 5:16-18 – I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Ephesians 5:18 – And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,

1 Corinthians 12:4 – There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:7 – But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:

The Holy Spirit is also active among unbelievers. The Spirit convicts “the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8). The Spirit testifies of Christ (John 15:26) and aids in evangelism. The Holy Spirit is also actively restraining sin and working against “the secret power of lawlessness” that seeks to control the world. Because of the influence of the Holy Spirit in the world, the revelation of the Antichrist is kept at bay (2 Thessalonians 2:6-10).

John 15:26 – “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.

2 Thessalonians 2:6-10 – And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

Practical Applications of Knowing God the Holy Spirit:

• Daily Guidance and Direction: The Holy Spirit guides believers, often by bringing specific Scriptures to mind, revealing the “will of God,” and giving direction in uncertain situations.
• Empowerment for Character Transformation: The Spirit works internally to produce “Fruit” (Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
• Strength to overcome sin: Knowing the Holy Spirit provides the power to resist temptation and break free from old patterns, helping believers walk in righteousness rather than fulfilling fleshly desires.
• Comfort and Assurance: The Spirit acts as a comforter in times of pain and confirms one’s identity as a child of God.
• Effective Prayer: The Spirit assists in prayer, especially when words are difficult to find, praying “with groanings that cannot be expressed in words” (Romans 8:26).
• Discerning Truth: The Holy Spirit acts as a guide to truth, helping believers distinguish between worldly wisdom and godly truth.

How to Apply This Knowledge Daily

• Daily Surrender: Start the day asking the Holy Spirit to fill and lead, rather than relying on self-control.
• Scripture Application: Read the Bible expecting the Holy Spirit to highlight, teach, and apply truths to specific, present-day situations.
• “Walking in the Spirit”: Actively follow the prompting of the Spirit in relationships and choices.

Conclusion: As believers in Jesus Christ, we are the most blessed people on earth, to have salvation, and the person of the Holy Spirit living in our hearts. To think that God the Holy Spirit lives in our hearts gives us joy and assurance. We are able to face every challenge and trial in life with the assurance that we have been sealed with the Holy Spirit of God for the day of redemption. Being sealed means that our salvation is secure and that He will never leave us nor forsake us. More than the presence of some mystical force or impersonal power in our lives, but God Himself in the Person of the Holy Spirit.

Next Week, Session 6: Core Belief #5 – Humanity and Sin