In this blog we will explore the person of the Holy Spirit and ask the question: Who is the Holy Spirit and What Does He Do?

The Holy Spirit. For some, the very mention of this third person of the Trinity conjures images of unexplainable phenomena, theological debates, or even a sense of distant mystery. For others, it might feel like a forgotten or misunderstood aspect of their faith. My aim over the next few weeks, starting today, is to demystify the Holy Spirit. We’re going to clearly explain who He is, sketch out some good, solid theology about His person and power, and ultimately, get rid of any lingering hyper-mystery or fear that might be holding us back from engaging with Him daily.

This journey is about understanding the Holy Spirit not as an abstract concept, but as a dynamic, personal, and ever-present force in the life of every believer.

Let’s begin with the absolute foundation: The Holy Spirit is God and a co-equal member of the Trinity – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. This isn’t just a theological nicety; it’s a foundational truth that shapes our understanding of His power and purpose.

We see this beautifully illustrated at Jesus’ baptism: “After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy”” (Matthew 3:16-17 NLT). Here, all three persons of the Godhead are present and active – the Father speaks, the Son is baptized, and the Spirit descends. This is a vivid picture of the Trinity in action, demonstrating their distinct persons yet unified divine nature.

Crucially, the Holy Spirit doesn’t just appear in momentous biblical events; He lives in believers now and today. Jesus promised His disciples, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts of the Apostles 1:8 NLT). This promise extends to every follower of Jesus, providing the power needed to live a life that reflects Him and carries His message.

To further solidify our understanding, let’s touch upon a few key theological concepts:

With this foundational understanding, let’s explore five key ways the Holy Spirit actively works in the lives of believers:

Have you ever felt the tension between what you know is right and what your natural inclinations crave? This is where the Holy Spirit steps in. “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves,” Paul writes in Galatians 5:16. He goes on to list the counter-intuitive yet deeply transformative qualities that the Spirit produces: “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” (Galatians 5:22-23 NLT).

This isn’t about trying harder to be good; it’s about yielding to the Spirit’s power. He gives us the ability to transcend our selfish desires and embody the very character of Jesus. He provides the strength to love when it’s hard, to find joy in adversity, to maintain peace amidst chaos, and to exercise self-control when tempted. This is not just a list of virtues; it’s a tangible manifestation of God’s presence at work within us, enabling us to do what we could never do in our own strength.

Life is rarely a straight line. We face pain, make mistakes, and sometimes drift off course. In these moments, the Holy Spirit acts as our divine Comforter and Guide. Jesus promised, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future…will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me’” (John 16:13-15 NLT).

When we’re hurting, the Spirit provides solace and peace that transcends understanding. He wraps us in God’s presence, reminding us of His enduring love and faithfulness. And when we stray, He gently, yet firmly, convicts us, revealing our errors and guiding us back to the path of righteousness. He doesn’t condemn, but corrects out of love, always pointing us back to Jesus and His truth. He illuminates Scripture, helps us understand God’s will, and even gives us glimpses of God’s future plans.

The church is not just a collection of individuals; it’s a body, with each member playing a vital role. The Holy Spirit ensures that we are all uniquely equipped for the task. “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other” (1 Corinthians 12:4-7 NLT).

These “spiritual gifts” are not for personal glory but for the common good, for building up the body of Christ and extending His kingdom. Whether it’s teaching, serving, leading, encouraging, showing mercy, or a myriad of other expressions, the Holy Spirit empowers each believer with unique abilities. He ensures that every part of the body functions effectively, enabling us to “get the job done in the right way” – God’s way. This diversity of gifts, all stemming from the same Spirit, highlights God’s creativity and His intentional design for His church.

Living our “best life” isn’t about chasing fleeting desires; it’s about aligning with God’s ultimate purpose for us. The Holy Spirit is our divine GPS, guiding us toward that path. “That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10 NLT).

The Spirit doesn’t just show us general truths; He delves into “God’s deep secrets,” revealing insights and directions tailored specifically for us. He illuminates our path, gives us clarity in decision-making, and provides the courage needed to take bold steps of faith. The Holy Spirit helps us discern God’s will, not just for the big decisions, but for the daily choices that shape our character and trajectory. He empowers us to move forward, even when the path is uncertain, because He is the one who knows what God has prepared.

Perhaps one of the most profound works of the Holy Spirit is drawing us into deep, authentic community and revealing our true identity in Christ. “The Spirit that you have received from God does not make you serve him like slaves. That would make you afraid again. No. The Spirit that God has given to you causes you to become God’s children. Now he takes care of you. God’s Spirit makes us call God: ‘Abba, our Father.’ God’s Spirit himself causes us to know that we are God’s children…and our own spirits agree that this is true” (Romans 8:15-16 EASY).

The Spirit breaks the chains of fear and slavery to sin, transforming us into adopted children of God. He cultivates a sense of belonging not just within the human family of believers, but within the divine family itself. He enables us to cry out “Abba, Father,” a term of intimate affection, confirming our beloved status. Furthermore, the Spirit helps us to see beyond our limitations and perceived weaknesses, revealing the incredible potential God has placed within us. He inspires us to see each other’s potential too, fostering an environment where we uplift, encourage, and champion one another.

So, how do we move from understanding who the Holy Spirit is to truly engaging with Him daily? It starts with acknowledging His presence and His personhood. He isn’t an impersonal force; He is God, eager to lead, comfort, empower, and reveal.

It involves:

The Holy Spirit is not some hyper-mysterious, elusive entity to be feared. He is the active, empowering, comforting, and guiding presence of God, dwelling within every believer. He is here to transform us, equip us, and enable us to live a life that truly reflects Jesus and fulfills God’s magnificent purpose for us. This week, let’s consciously open ourselves to His presence and invite Him to work powerfully in every detail of our lives.

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near to reach least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet, Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!