05/28/2026
The Holy GHOST
There is much misconception out there about the Holy Spirit. Some people think it’s imaginary. Some people think it’s just a golden ticket. Some people treat it like a genie in a bottle. None of these are sufficient explanations for this confusing aspect of the trinity.
To get a better grasp on the Holy Spirit we should study the words of Christ and see how God described Himself to us. According to the Gospel of John chapter 14 & 16 there are six primary functions of the Holy Spirit.
First, the Holy Spirit is our SPIRITUAL ADVOCATE. Jesus uses a word that we should translate as “paraclete”. The idea is that we are guilty party in a courtroom on trial. But the Holy Spirit comes forward and, despite our guilt, renders us before the judge as justified so that we don’t have to pay the penalty of our sin.
Second, the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of TRUTH. Jesus Christ is the source of all truth. He is truth. In Him there is no falsehood, no deception, no lies, no tricks…only truth. And the Holy Spirit is the source of perfect truth in the lives of the Christian. It is our connection to the truth of Christ. We are saved by grace through in the truth of Christ. Once baptized and having received the gift of the Holy Spirit, we are given the gift of access to that perfect truth.
Third, the Holy Spirit will be WITH you and DWELL IN you. There is nothing better than the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Jesus tells the disciples in John 16 that “it is for your benefit that I go to the Father; for unless I go the Holy Spirit will not come.” The apostle John who wrote this book was with Jesus in the flesh and then later received the Holy Spirit. He experienced both. And he testifies that it is to our advantage to have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Fourth, the Holy Spirit is a WITNESS. The Holy Spirit will be with us, witnessing to us and empowering us to witness to others the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In fact, the Holy Spirit will come and assist us with the right words so that our witness will be for the glory of God.
Fifth, the Holy Spirit is COUNSELOR and JUDGE. Now we return to the image of a courtroom. Not only will the Holy Spirit be the proof of the justification of the Christian, but it will prosecute and judge the world. It will convict of sin according to righteousness and then render judgement upon the guilty party. For Christians, the verdict will be “Guilty but Forgiven”, but for the world it will be “Guilty but Condemned”.
Sixth, the Holy Spirit is a GUIDE for Christians. In a world that hates Christians and seeks to destroy the name of Christ, the Holy Spirit will be our guide. We cannot possible make this journey alone. The third part of the trinity promises to lead us through unfamiliar territory and arrive at the destination of glorifying Christ.
