KNOWING THE HOLY SPIRIT 2
(WEEK 12/12)
OLUBI JOHNSON
Last week, we began to study the Person of God the Holy Spirit: understanding that He is a Person with a shape, will, mind and emotions; the third Person of the Godhead who gives us life and power to reveal and impart the nature and character of the Lord Jesus Christ to us.
John 16:12-15 KJV: I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. (13) Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. (14) He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (15) All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
He will do this through the Word (Jn. 17:17) and prayer in the Spirit (Eph. 6:18, Jude 1:21, 1 Cor. 14:2).
Now, the Holy Spirit is a very gentle, patient and forbearing Person, whose job is to reveal and reproduce the Christ nature and character in us; however, this does not mean the Holy Spirit is weak either in power or resolve.
In fact it is the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Godhead that gives the life (Rom. 8:11) and power of God (Act. 1:8) to us; Furthermore, it is the Holy Spirit that is spoken of as a consuming fire (Lk. 3:16-17) and the God that takes vengeance and punishes rebellious men and angels in the lake of fire (Rev. 20:9-10)!
Hebrews 10:29-31 KJV: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (30) For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. (31) It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Hebrews 12:29 KJV: For our God is a consuming fire.
So the Lord Holy Spirit will be very gentle and patient with you, so long as you are honest and practicing, doing His Word: every time you fall, He will pick you up and give you time to learn obedience (Heb. 5:8) over many years:
Proverbs 24:16 KJV: For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
Micah 7:8-9 KJV: Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me. (9) I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness.
However, if you are dishonest and are handling the Word of God deceitfully (2 Cor. 4:2) the same Holy Spirit will show Himself shrewd and a severe disciplinarian!
Psalms 18:26 NKJV: With the pure You will show Yourself pure; And with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd.
Romans 11:22 KJV: Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
How then do you get to know the Holy Spirit better?
By spending time with Him in the Word and prayer in the Spirit with tongues (1 Cor. 14:2, 15) and travail (Rom. 8:26; Eph. 6:18) as you pray in the Spirit frequently (1 Cor. 14:5): once every six hours (Dt. 6:7, Mk. 13:35), at every opportunity (Eph. 6:18,1 Thess. 5:17), during temptations (Heb. 4:16) and during the fourth watch as a daily habit (Heb. 5:7, Mk. 1:35).
2Timothy 3:16-17 AMP: Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action), (17) So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2Timothy 2:15 KJV: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
This is what is called the fellowship or in the Greek the ‘Koinonia’ of the Holy Spirit:
2Corinthians 13:14 AMP: The grace (favor and spiritual blessing) of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the presence and fellowship (the communion and sharing together, and participation) in the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen (so be it).
