Who is the Holy Spirit and what does He do?

Chase Culbertson

In the game of football, everyone loves watching a high-powered offense lead a team down the field for the go-ahead score. But the most exciting thing in a football game is neither offensive nor defensive. Arguably, the most exciting play in football is a punt return or kickoff return for a touchdown.

In the same way, there’s nothing like living a life led by the Holy Spirit.

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

God exists in three persons, but we often only hear about two: Father and Son.

If you used the example of a team to understand God, the Holy Spirit is like the kicker or special teams in football. He is so much more important than we give Him credit for!

God the Father is like the offense: He sent His Son to die for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8).

God the Son—Jesus—is like the defense: He defeats our enemies and stands up for us in the face of our biggest battles. In Jesus’ battle on the cross, He died for our sins, defeating the power of sin forever (1 Corinthians 15:55-56).

So who is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is the third person in the Trinity. He is God living in us!

The Holy Spirit is God living inside of us.

John 14:16-18 says, “I (Jesus) will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth...You know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”

When you become a Christian, the Holy Spirit actually lives inside of you and He will never leave you.

What does the Holy Spirit do?

  1.       The Holy Spirit helps us realize and enables us to say Jesus is Lord (1 Corinthians 12:3).
  2.       The Holy Spirit empowers us to do what God calls us to (Romans 8:12-14).
  3.       The Holy Spirit helps us tell others about Jesus (Acts 1:8).

How the Holy Spirit leads us

The Holy Spirit works in us during impossible scenarios in our lives, during heart-pounding moments when we realize that what we never even dreamed could happen is possible because God is involved!

Personally, the Holy Spirit often plays a role in my life. When I felt God leading me to do foreign missions, I started researching places that would allow me to serve. I ended up in Peru, and I went back seven more times and was able to lead several people to Jesus. It all happened because the Holy Spirit spoke to me and I was willing to listen and be obedient. It seemed impossible, but God had other plans!

Sometimes, we’re too focused on everything else to hear from the Holy Spirit who lives inside of us. What can we do to more clearly listen to the Holy Spirit?

Take the time today to turn down, unplug from distractions, and read the Bible. Ask God what He wants to do in and through you. Perhaps the Holy Spirit will lead you to your next step.

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