Our discussion so far has served to introduce us to the Holy Spirit’s ministry. We are now at the point where we can start discussing the first key to unlocking His ministry in our lives. It is our willingness to acknowledge Him as being a divine person.
He is not just a force or power to manifest in our services. Many Christians are stunted in their spiritual growth because they do not understand this essential truth.
Have you ever heard someone use the word “it” when talking about the Holy Spirit? I have, and it is clear they do not understand or recognize Him for who He is.
“Him” is not it is it?
We refer to things like electricity or furniture as an “it.”
I have heard things like, “…well it came on me” in reference to the Holy Spirit moving in a service.
Notice how many times Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit using a masculine pronoun in the following verses.
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (John 14:16 – 17)
- “…that he may abide with you forever.”
- “Whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not.”
- “…neither knoweth him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. (John 16:7 -8)
- “I will send him unto you.”
- “When he is come.”
- “He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.”
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.
He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (John 16:13 – 14)
- “He will guide you into all truth.”
- “He shall not speak of himself.”
- “Whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak.”
- “He will shew you things to come.”
- “He shall glorify me.”
- “He shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.”
Jesus used a masculine pronoun referring to the Holy Spirit fifteen times in just these three passages. When you talk about the Holy Spirit, you should refer to Him correctly, just as Jesus did.
We need to emphasize this because it is not possible to fellowship with an “it!”
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. (Romans 8:16)
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (Romans 8:26)
So, what about these verses? They read “… the Spirit itself,” but is this the correct translation?
The same Greek word used in both is translated approximately forty-seven times in other passages using masculine pronouns. Consider the following examples.
Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; (Matthew 1:2)
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. (Matthew 1:18)
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (2 Peter 2:24)
Let me give you an example of why I am spending so much time on this. Let’s say you walk into a room and see a good friend. You waive, and your friend acknowledges you, and then you hear them say to the person they are talking to, “There it is!” referring to you. How would you feel?
You are a person, and just as it is improper to refer to you using “it,” it is also inappropriate to refer to the Holy Spirit using the word “it.”
The Holy Spirit desires to have a relationship with you. Jesus sent him to be with us, and, unfortunately, so few of us view Him as anything more than some impersonal force that manifests in our church services.
The Holy Spirit will talk to you. He will respond to you and help you in your darkest hours.
You will never be alone once you’ve invited Jesus to be your Lord and Savior!
The Holy Spirit is a divine person. He is dwelling in the spirit of every Christian and is waiting for us to acknowledge His presence and to begin spending time with Him.
Thank you for stopping by today. If this post has been a blessing please share our blog with your friends and family.
You can be a vital part in helping MB Media by making a contribution to help support our operation and social media outreaches. Thank you in advance for your support and God bless you!
We use the secure services of PayPal for credit card transactions. When you click the button below, you will be taken to the PayPal secure web sever to enter your credit card information.
If you would like to partner with us on a monthly basis, please enter the monthly amount you would like to donate and click “Make this a monthly donation”. Your monthly support will be automatically sent to us each month when you complete the Subscription Form on PayPal’s site.
MBDevotional 