Are believers supposed to feel the Holy Spirit?
While the Bible is certainly clear there are times when a person will sense or feel the Holy Spirit, this will not always be the case. The Holy Spirit remains with a believer forever (John 14:16–17) but may not always be felt emotionally.Ephesians 5:18 offers an important insight regarding this question. It states, "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit." In contrast with the controlling influence of wine, a Christian is called to be controlled by God's Spirit.
How can a person be controlled or influenced by the Holy Spirit? First, a believer receives the Spirit at the point of salvation. First Corinthians 6:19–20 says, "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."
Second, a person is controlled or filled with the Spirit by growing in the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22–23 shares, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Third, a person is controlled by the Spirit by obeying the Lord. Galatians 5:16 says, "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." If we walk by, or obey, the Spirit through obedience to the Lord we will resist sin and overcome temptation.
The Holy Spirit is the third Person of Triune God who has existed for all eternity. He is always present yet not always felt emotionally. As we grow closer to God, we will likely sense the presence of God's Spirit more often and more powerfully than at earlier times in our lives. However, we must also be careful not to base our decisions on our feelings as they are regularly changing and are influenced by many factors.
God calls His people to live a life of love, devoted to Him and His teachings (2 Timothy 3:16–17). At times, we will experience joy, sometimes we will endure suffering. However, God's Spirit is always present with the believer, even during the most difficult times of life and even when we don't feel His presence.
Who is the Holy Spirit?
When do we receive the Holy Spirit?
Does the Holy Spirit ever leave a believer?
How can I walk in the Spirit?
What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
Truth about the Holy Spirit
