Speaker: Sia Thang Tawng | Translator: Sia Samuel
The Work of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. Sometimes people think He is the smallest because He is mentioned third, but that is not true. What the Father does, the Son can do, and what they do, the Holy Spirit also does.
We see the work of the Father throughout both the Old and New Testaments, though it is most visible in the Old Testament. We see the work of the Son clearly in the New Testament. The Holy Spirit is active in both the Old and New Testaments as well.
The Holy Spirit is not just a power. He is a real person. Sometimes people think the Holy Spirit comes only when they feel chills or goosebumps, but not everyone feels that. Whether you feel something or not, the Holy Spirit is still present.
In Ephesians 1:13–14, we see that the Holy Spirit is a seal that marks us. This means you belong to someone.
In 2 Corinthians 1:21–22, when you hear the gospel and confess Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are marked as His righteous sons and daughters. The most important thing the Holy Spirit teaches us is who Jesus is. Some people think the Holy Spirit only points out wrongdoing, but He convicts us, not condemns us.
The Holy Spirit teaches us the truth about who Jesus really is. In Hebrews 12, we understand that even our ability to believe comes from Him. Many people hear about Jesus but do not believe. The courage to believe comes from the Holy Spirit. He opens our hearts and reveals who Jesus truly is.
The work of God cannot be done by human strength alone. We can only do it with the help of the Holy Spirit. It is not about what we can do, but what the Holy Spirit can do through us.
If you are planning to be a minister, you may feel unqualified. When you look at yourself, you see your weaknesses. But God does not focus on what you can or cannot do. He gives you the Holy Spirit to strengthen you for the work He has called you to do.
The Holy Spirit does not condemn us. He reminds us that Jesus paid for everything on the cross.
In Hebrews 10:12–18, we see that Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father. In the Old Testament, priests continually offered sacrifices. In the New Testament, Jesus died once, rose again on the third day, and completed the work.
After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples for 40 days to assure them. Before ascending to heaven, He told them He would not leave them as orphans. He promised to send the Holy Spirit to be with them forever.
In John 14:15–16, the Holy Spirit is described as an Advocate, like a lawyer who stands with you and defends you.
We do not need the blood of animals anymore. The blood of Jesus is enough to forgive our sins. Every curse is washed away by His blood. Because of Jesus, we have life.
When we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, our lives are not instantly perfect. We still live in the flesh, and we still struggle. Sometimes we sin even when we do not want to. We know we are called to live holy lives, but we fall short.
Why is the devil afraid of you? Romans 8:11 says that the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. The same Spirit is in you. When the devil sees you, he is afraid, but many people do not know this truth and instead fear him. In reality, the Holy Spirit in you is greater.
Jesus, our High Priest, asked the Father to give us the Holy Spirit so we would not be alone.
Who can receive the Holy Spirit? In John 14:17, we see that unbelievers cannot receive Him because He is Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is always with us to teach and guide us in truth. But when we talk about help, we must also have desire. Without desire or decision, we will not follow His guidance.
Desire and decision are important.
Every time we sin, we feel guilty. Even if we choose it in the moment, afterward we feel convicted. That conviction comes from the Holy Spirit. He leads us to repentance and reminds us of the truth.
When we think about grace, we often feel we do not deserve it. Yet the Holy Spirit within us reminds us how good it is. When we sin, He brings conviction, not condemnation.
It is not the Holy Spirit who leads us into sin. Sometimes we give room to the devil, and that is why we fall.
Romans 8:14 says that those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. If we follow our own desires, we will fall into anger and sin. We need the Holy Spirit to lead our lives.
The Holy Spirit already lives in us. Some people ask why we keep inviting Him if He is already there. The reason is not because He is absent, but because we are asking Him to lead us. The Holy Spirit does not force Himself on us. He moves when we are willing and when we truly desire Him to lead.