What is the role of the Holy Spirit? How is the Holy Spirit active in our lives today?
The Bible notes several roles the Holy Spirit plays in the lives of people today. First, the Holy Spirit provides conviction of sin to all people. John 16:8 notes, "And when he [the Holy Spirit] comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment."For believers in Christ, the Holy Spirit works in additional ways. One of these roles is to serve as a helper or comforter. John 14:16-17 records Jesus saying, "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him." The Greek word translated as "Helper" or "Comforter" (KJV) refers to one who is called alongside another, providing the idea of a guide or encourager during times of need. This takes place as God's Spirit indwells the believer from the point of salvation (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
An additional role of the Holy Spirit is to guide the believer into truth. John 16:13 reads, "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth." Rather than depending on our human reasoning, we have a supernatural guide in the form of God's indwelling Holy Spirit.
Further, the Holy Spirit helps believers to glorify the Lord. John 16:14 reveals, "He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you." We have a desire to worship the Lord because God's Spirit lives within us as believers.
For believers, the Holy Spirit also gives special gifts. First Corinthians 12, Romans 12:3-8, and 1 Peter 4:10-11 reveal the names of many gifts God's Spirit provides to believers. Each believer has at least one (1 Corinthians 12:7), and each person is specifically gifted for the acts of service God has prepared for him or her (Ephesians 2:10). The gifts are given to allow the church to work together to meet needs, make disciples, and glorify God.
God's Spirit also enables believers to produce 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." Without God's Spirit, people are unable to produce fruitful lives that reflect the desires of God.
The Holy Spirit indwells us as believers. In addition to the many roles He plays in our lives, He seals us as belonging to God (see Ephesians 1:13-14). The Holy Spirit is the person of God who lives with us in our time on earth and teaches us to truly know and follow God.
Who is the Holy Spirit?
When do we receive the Holy Spirit?
What is my spiritual gift?
How does the Holy Spirit seal us? What is the seal of the Holy Spirit?
What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
Truth about the Holy Spirit
