I believe in the Holy Spirit - 24 July 2023

We confess a triune God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. For me, it was easier to believe in the Father and the Son than in the Holy Spirit. It is interesting, because it is precisely with the help of the Holy Spirit and his involvement in my life that I understand the triune God a little better. Here are just a few things I have learned about the Holy Spirit:

It is in our nature to be disobedient to God. In Ezekiel 36:26-27, God says that he will take away our hearts of stone and give us his Spirit, so that we will be able to obey him. In John 14:15-20, Jesus assures his disciples (and his children) that he will not leave them behind as orphans. There will be another Advocate forever with us, namely the Spirit of truth, and he will live in us and help us to obey Jesus’ instructions.

We are opinionated. In Ephesians 4:25-31, Paul gives us guidelines for a new life in Christ. In verse 30, he warns us not to make God’s Holy Spirit sad. Instead, listen to that voice inside you that warns you against wrong things.

Our attention is easily distracted from Jesus. We are often tempted to want people to notice and compliment us, rather than Jesus. The Holy Spirit is, however, our role model when we become too important in our own eyes. He knows his purpose is to glorify Jesus (John 16:14) and he will help us to do that as well.

We often doubt. We live in a world that constantly tries to convince us that what we believe is false. I can only talk on behalf of myself (but I don’t think I’m the only one), that sometimes I hear the little voice of doubt: “Is everything you believe really true? Are you really saved?” Back to the Bible: “It is God himself who makes us, together with you, sure of our life in union with Christ; it is God himself who has set us apart, who has placed his mark of ownership upon us, and who has given us the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the guarantee of all that he has in store for us.” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)

I believe in the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, make me willing to allow you to be involved in every moment of my life. Amen