UNDERSTANDING THE HOLY SPIRIT (PART 2)

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV)

NCE(Eng.) ND/HD (Journalism); BA (Hons) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939  E-mail: profesorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

UNDERSTANDING THE HOLY SPIRIT (PART 2)

Devotional Text: John 14:15-27

Introduction:

The Holy Spirit is an indispensible personality in the Church. A Church that is devoid of the presence of the Holy Spirit, undoubtedly is dead. Liturgical artistry and decorations may deceive one into believing that the Holy Spirit is present. However, a genuine understanding of the person and works of the Holy Spirit would serve well in detecting the spirit of error. Therefore, the understanding of the Holy Spirit can never be over-emphasized.

GENERAL REMARKS

(i)             The Holy Spirit is the believer’s guide, (John 16:13).

(ii)           The Holy Spirit is the kingdom spokesman, (Rev. 2:7).

(iii)          The Holy Spirit is the source of the kingdom revelation, (I Cor. 2:9-10).

(iv)          The Holy Spirit is the source of the kingdom fruits, (Gal. 5:22-23, Rom. 14:17).

UNDERSTANDING THE HOLY SPIRIT AS THE LEADER OF THE BELIEVER, (ROM. 8:14)

                        The BBC English Dictionary defines a leader of a group of people as the person who is incharge of it. Based on this definition, one can say that the Holy Spirit is the leader of those who have surrounded their lives to Him. As a shepherd, the Holy Spirit leads the believer to the place of;  

(i)                   righteousness, (Ps. 23:3)

(ii)                 comfort, (vs. 4) and

(iii)                overflowing blessings, (vs. 5).

UNDERSTANSING WHAT GRIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT, (Eph. 4:30)

                        If something grieves one, it makes one feel very sad. So, one makes the Holy Spirit feel very sad as one does things that are not pleasing to Him. The Holy Spirit is grieved when one:

(i)             engages in unwholesome talks (Eph. 4:2).

(ii)           does not get rid of bitterness, rage and anger, slander and malice, (Eph. 4:31),

(iii)          is not kind, compassionate and forgiving, (vs. 32).

When one grieves the Holy Spirit, He becomes one’s enemy instead of one’s friend and provider. This may be the cause of the woes of many believers, and not ancestral curses as many are made to believe, (See Isa. 63:10).

UNDERSTANDING THE VOICE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, (ISA. 30:21).

                        From the cited Scripture, it becomes evident that we have the guiding voice of the Holy Spirit designed to help the believer to walk in the right way. In spite of this living and eloquent voice of the Holy Spirit, experience has shown that there are also the mimicking voices of Satan and his angels which try to deceive the people of God. Here marks the need for a proper understanding of the voice of the Holy Spirit to avoid treading the paths of error. Therefore, the voice of the Holy Spirit will always;

(i)                   lead to the right ways, (Isa. 30:21, Jn. 14:16).

(ii)                 testify of Jesus (Jn. 15:26).

(iii)                guide into all truth (Jn. 16:13).

In conclusion, it is important to remark that hardening one’s heart or rather rebelling against the voice of the Holy Spirit brings about restlessness, (See. Hebrews 3:7-11).