Holy Spirit
Seek the Truth with all your heart.
Pray for the church – GOD’s people – to be renewed and reinvigorated by the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit.
When Jesus resurrected, after forty days He returned to His and our FATHER GOD in Heaven, and together They sent The Holy Spirit to Earth to be available to, and minister to humanity. We can pray - ask - GOD to fill us with HIS Holy Spirit, for our guidance, protection, blessing, and learning by revelation.
The Holy Spirit is Jesus’ and GOD’s presence on earth; and has been assigned to be alongside us, with us, and in us, to accompany, encourage, and guide us. The Holy Spirit passes on knowledge and guidance from Jesus and GOD the FATHER
The Holy Spirit is our helper. The new Testament Greek word ‘paraclete’ means ‘one who comes alongside to help.’ When we, with a sincere heart, share our experience and faith with others, the Holy Spirit is beside us, giving and leading our words, and empowering our witnessing.
GOD works through The Holy Spirit to guide us, and reprove and convict us of sin; revealing in what ways we need to change. People who deliberately resist and reject the Holy Spirit, have cut off communication between their soul and heaven, and there is no more that GOD can do for them.
GOD, through The Holy Spirit, gives us understanding, knowledge, wisdom, and insight.
If the teaching and preaching of pastors – priests – ministers of GOD, does not agree with the leading of the Holy Spirit; then do not follow the minister. All who are filled with the Holy Spirit, and are familiar with GOD’s Word will be able to discern. A presence of peace or otherwise will guide you. Ask GOD for discernment.
Shavuot: (Pentecost) The Giving of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit).
This ancient Biblical festival is particularly relevant to New Covenant followers of Jesus (Yeshua.)
On this very day, the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) came upon Yeshua's disciples (talmidim) who had been studying and praying all night in the Upper Room. They were waiting for His final instructions. That outpouring of The Holy Spirit came at around 9 a.m. during the morning sacrifices.
When we are Born Again we become part of the mystery of ‘Christ in us and we in Christ.’ The Holy Spirit dwells in us, and we share that same relationship with Jesus and GOD the FATHER.
When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, allow ‘Him’ to have ‘His’ way. He will drive everything that is not of GOD, out of your body, it has to leave you, it all drops away.
John 3:5 "No one can enter the kingdom of GOD unless they are born of water and the Spirit."
Receiving the Holy Spirit (‘Ruach HaKodesh’ in Hebrew) is our seal of freedom from the world’s curses, forever. We must have faith to receive and to continue living in and with the Holy Spirit, then any temptations which appear are easily dealt with - overcome - rejected.
Matthew 7:13-14 ‘Jesus said “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, (meaning real life = eternal life,) and only a few find it.”
A serious warning:
Matthew 12:31-32 ‘Jesus said ‘So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.’
Matthew 21:15-16 ‘But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things He (Jesus) did and the children shouting in the temple area, “Hosanna to the Son of David.” They were indignant. “Do You hear what these children are saying?” they asked Him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “Have you never read, “From the lips of children and infants You have ordained praise?”
This is the work of the Holy Spirit.
Luke 4:1-2 ‘Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where, for forty days He was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them He was hungry.’
John 6:63 ‘The Spirit gives life; the flesh (our bodies) counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.’
John 7:37-39 ‘On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let them come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within them.” By this He meant the Spirit, that those who believed in Him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not been glorified.’
John 14;15-18 ‘Jesus said “If you love Me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the FATHER, and He will give you another counsellor - comforter - to 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. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”
The ‘Comforter’ was promised by the Son, sent by the FATHER, and HE is ours by faith. Embrace Him, trust His power, experience His peace, and follow His guidance. Whatever you are doing – from the happiest things, to the saddest things – GOD’s Spirit is living in you. Don’t let this life-changing truth pass you by.
John 14:23-27 ‘Jesus replied, “If anyone loves Me, they will obey My teaching. My FATHER will love them, and We will come to them and make Our home with them. Whoever does not love Me will not obey My teaching. These words you hear are not My own; they belong to the FATHER Who sent Me. All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the FATHER will send in My Name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 16:8-15 Jesus said “When He (the Holy Spirit) comes, He will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgement: about sin because people do not believe in Me; about righteousness, because I am going to the FATHER, where you can see Me no longer; and about judgement, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when He the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to Me by taking from what is Mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the FATHER is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is Mine and make it known to you.”
Acts 1:2-8 ‘Until the day He (Jesus) was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through The Holy Spirit to the apostles He had chosen. After His suffering, He showed Himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of GOD. On one occasion, while He was eating with them, He gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift My FATHER promised, which you have heard Me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
So when they met together, they asked Him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the FATHER has set by HIS OWN authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the Earth.”
What a magnificent event in Biblical history. (Samaria is now referred to by the media as ‘The West Bank.’)
Acts 2:1-4 ‘When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated ad came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.’
Acts 19:4-7 ‘Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance.” He told the people to “believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus; when Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve of them in all.’
Acts 2:36-39 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: GOD made this Jesus, Whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the Name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off – for all whom the LORD our GOD will call.”
Acts 10:44-48 ‘While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising GOD.’
‘Then Peter said, “Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.’
Romans 8:1-8 ‘Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are n Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, GOD did by sending HIS OWN Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so HE condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to GOD; it does not submit to GOD’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please GOD.’
Romans 8:5-19 ‘Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to GOD, it does not submit to GOD’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please GOD.
You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the spirit of GOD lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin. the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of HIM WHO raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, HE WHO raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of HIS Spirit who lives in you.
Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation; but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
For those who are led by the Spirit of GOD are the children of GOD. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again, rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by HIM we cry, “ABBA FATHER.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are GOD’s children. Now if we are GOD’s children, then we are heirs; heirs of GOD and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.’
‘I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of GOD to be revealed.’
The Holy Spirit is also referred to in terms of water. I like to also refer to the Holy Spirit as ‘The pure cleansing water of heaven washing lives clean & pure.’
The Holy Spirit strengthens us to adhere to the truth. From the first day you endeavour to hear and obey the voice (prompting) of the Holy Spirit, your life will begin to change. The darkness that has clouded your spiritual vision will fade away and you’ll begin to see into the things of GOD.
If you remain bound to the things of this physical world, in your thinking and actions, you can’t tap into the supernatural provision that GOD has made available to you; even though it’s available in abundance, you can’t benefit from it.
Focus on hearing from GOD, and seeing things from HIS perspective.
The devil works very hard to keep you tied down to the things of the ‘natural.’ Satan and his demons are happy when you let your life get so busy and cluttered with worldly stuff, that when the Holy Spirit tries to communicate with you, you are so preoccupied that you are quite unaware of His voice and promptings.
The Holy Spirit knows everything. He comes to live in you, to teach and lead you how to walk with GOD in every situation, and serve as your personal counsellor.
Since being born-spiritually – born from above – ‘born again’ – GOD – through The Holy Spirit - has given me a higher level of thinking – awareness – values – and wisdom.
I am living in this world but my mind and spirit are mostly thoughtfully dwelling in heaven and the unlimited adventure of eternal life.
Romans 8:20-28 ‘For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the ONE WHO subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of GOD. We know that he whole creation right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And He Who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for GOD’s people in accordance with the will of GOD. And we know that in all things GOD works for the good of those who love HIM, who have been called according to HIS purpose.’
Romans 15:13 ‘May the GOD of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.’
1 Corinthians 2:6-16 ‘We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of GOD’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that GOD destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the lord of glory. However, as it is written:
“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” - the things GOD has prepared for those who love HIM – these are the things GOD has revealed to us by HIS Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of GOD. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of GOD except the Spirit of GOD. What we have received is not the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from GOD, so that we may understand what GOD has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. ‘The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of GOD, but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, for “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct HIM?” But we have the mind of Christ.’
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 ‘Don’t you know that you are GOD’S temple and that GOD’S Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys GOD’S temple, GOD will destroy them for GOD’S temple is sacred, and you are that temple.’
1 Corinthians 6:17-20 ‘But whoever is united with the Lord is one with Him in spirit. Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from GOD? You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore honour GOD with your body.’
1 Corinthians 12:3 & 7-11 ‘No one who is speaking by the Spirit of GOD says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.’ ‘To each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and HE gives them to each one, just as HE determines.’
2 Corinthians 1:20-22 ‘For no matter how many promises GOD has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through Him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of GOD. Now it is GOD Who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set HIS seal of ownership on us, and put HIS Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.’
2 Corinthians 3:6-12 ‘HE has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant; not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. This is pointing out that the ‘letter,’ meaning the written Word; while it contains truth, is only words which lead to lifeless knowledge; whereas The Holy Spirit illuminates the Word, imparting life-filled revelation and understanding, which engages the heart as well as the mind.
Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory; so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, transitory though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness. For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts.
Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.’
This shows the greatness of being filled with The Holy Spirit, and living in rich spiritual relationship with GOD, through Jesus, Who takes residence in each of us, and we in Him. GOD now sees us through Jesus. In the Old Testament, GOD’s written law required our obedient behaviour in keeping it, which proved to be impossible. We now, as Holy Spirit filled people, are able to fulfil GOD’s requirements spiritually, and The Holy Spirit also enables us to live accordingly.
2 Corinthians 3:16-18 ‘But when anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-lasting glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.’
The Holy Spirit is the Seal of GOD.
Ephesians 1:13-14 ‘And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are GOD’s possession, to the praise of HIS glory.’
To be filled with the Holy Spirit is to be filled with GOD.
Ephesians 4:30-32 ‘And do not grieve The Holy Spirit of GOD by Whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as GOD in Christ forgave you.’
The Holy Spirit can be grieved in many ways, such as:
1. Continuing in sin after you have supposedly been filled with The Holy Spirit.
2. Referring to the Holy Spirit to try to justify sinful ways.
3. Doing and speaking things which a ‘Holy Spirit filled’ person should not, and should be cleansed of.
Please refer to ‘The Fruit of The Spirit’ which is further on.
Hebrews 6:4-6 ‘It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of GOD and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of GOD all over again and subjecting Him to public disgrace.’
Philippians 1:3-6 ‘I thank my GOD every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he (The Holy Spirit) who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.’
1 John 4:13 ‘We know that we live in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.’
Matthew 7:20 ‘By their fruit you will recognize them.’
Galatians 5:1-2 ‘It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.’
Galatians 5:13-26 ‘You my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.’ If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
So I say, walk in the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh, For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry, and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of GOD.
But the fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience (forbearance - long suffering), Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness (meekness), and Self-control (temperance). Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking, and envying of each other.’
Think about the nine qualities of the fruit of the Spirit growing in your heart and mind.
‘Self-control’ in Greek comes from a root word meaning ‘to grip.’
2 Timothy 1:6-7 ‘For this reason I remind you to fan into ‘flame’ the gift of GOD, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit GOD gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self discipline.’
2 Peter 1:5-11 --- from these verses we can add to our character: Knowledge, Perseverance, and GOD-liness.
By way of adding to your desired qualities you could, if you choose, also add: Wisdom, Honesty, Integrity, Dignity, Trust, Respect, and Loyalty.
The following verses contain three extra qualities as underlined, in addition to the above fruit (qualities.)
2 Peter 1:5-11 ‘Make every effort to add to your faith, goodness; and to your goodness, knowledge; and to your knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, GOD-liness; and to GOD-liness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, they are near-sighted and blind, and have forgotten that they have been cleansed from their past sins. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fail, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.’
This You-tube series of well-presented interesting talks, reveals more about the GOD-HEAD and The Holy Spirit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQOR8oQVd9M&list=PLnIT3k5R3NTLRzObGxT2NZ5w3J08t9zIQ&sns=fb
Approx. One hour total.