The Holy Spirit’s Work

In these studies of the Holy Spirit, we have already looked at what the Holy Spirit does in the life of the believer.  However, I’d like to take a closer look at exactly what He does in us and for us. 

When we look at Mary, the mother of Jesus, we notice what was said of the Holy Spirit’s work in her— 

• Luke 1:35—the power of God would overshadow her;
• Matthew 1:20—the Holy Spirit worked a miracle in her.

At Christ’s baptism the Holy Spirit descended upon Him.  Here we have both conception (in Mary) and anointing (in Jesus).  After that, Jesus was led by that same Spirit into the wilderness, and later returned in the power of the Spirit (Luke 4:1—14).  Then He preached in the Spirit, and the hearers wondered at His amazing words (Luke 4:18—32).  Jesus cast out devils by the Spirit (Matthew 12:28), and finally offered Himself through the Spirit (Hebrews 9:14).

So then, looking at a variety of Scriptures, we may learn of the Spirit’s work in us. The Holy Spirit— 

1.  Strives, Genesis 6:3.  This verse implies that by nature man is opposed to God.  Indeed, Job 37:4-6  says as much; God’s ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts.  The Spirit of God, then, must strive with us because we resist Him, just as surely as Jacob resisted the angel of the Lord and wrestled with him.

2.  Convinces, John 14:8.  Conviction is the first part of His striving.  The Holy Spirit works to make the unrepentant sinner aware of his guilt before God.  This, of course, is exactly what the sinner does not want to know and seeks to hide.  But, the Spirit works to impress upon the cold heart of man the truth of his awful state in the sight of a holy God.

3.  Quickens, John 6:63.  Although a believer filled with the Spirit is made conscious of his guilty state he is still as helpless as a child.  But the Spirit gives life; He quickens man’s dormant spirit, awakens it, gives man power to  live the life that pleases God.  Through the Holy Spirit, man becomes a New Creature, 2 Corinthians 5:17.

4.  Seals, Ephesians 1:13; 4:30.  The moment we trust Christ as Savior, the deal is closed and God’s seal of ownership is put on man, marking him as man’s property.

5.  Reveals.  The Spirit reveals to man— 

• The love of God by shedding it abroad in our  hearts, Romans 5:5
• The things of Christ, John 16:14
• The things God has prepared for us, 1 Corinthians 2:10
• The way into truth, John 16:13
• The valley of need, Ezekiel 37:1
• The suffering Savior, Zechariah 12:10
• The way of service, Acts 8:29

6.  Witnesses, Romans 8:16.  Our quickened spirit testifies that we are the children of God, and God’s Spirit corroborates this testimony.  We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit, Acts 5:32.  He is the witness that cannot lie, Proverbs 14:25.

7.  Intercedes, Galatians 4:6.  The Holy Spirit also helps us in our weakness and makes intercession for us, Romans 8:26—27.  The sphere of His advocacy is within the human soul.  The Spirit of prayer is little understood.  Contrast the Holy Spirit’s “unutterable groanings” with the frivolous prayers of so many.  Little wonder so many of our petitions go unanswered when the Spirit’s groanings are so little heeded.

8.  Calls, Acts 13:2.  Every true believer is called of God, just as surely as Aaron was.  These “called ones” must be separated unto God, and taught by the Spirit, consecrated to Him and used by Him.

9.  Ordains, Acts 20:28.  Every believer is ordained an overseer over himself by the Holy Spirit, but those who attempt to feed the flock without being ordained by the Spirit will be as useful as clouds without water. 

10. Commissions, Isaiah 48:16; Acts 13:4.  The Holy Spirit is the Lord of the Harvest.  He commissions us, His fellow laborers (Matthew 9:38).  When the Spirit sends out the harvesters, a harvest is sure to be gathered, for we are equipped by the Spirit as “able ministers,” 2 Corinthians 3:6.

11.  Invites, Revelation 22:17.  In this, the Spirit and Bride are co-workers.  They unite in inviting the “bright and morning Star.”  This is the night, but the night is almost over and the dawn is at hand.  And so the Spirit works, and waits, and longs with us in this world of darkness until Jesus comes and the shadows are driven away.

12. Leads, Galatians 5:18, Romans 8:14.  The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness (Luke 4:1).  Only a child of God can be led by the Spirit.

13.  Comforts, John 14:16; Acts 9:3.  The Holy Spirit dwells with us forever and knows more than anyone else our weaknesses and troubles and the real depth of our needs.

14.  Overcomes, Isaiah 59:19; Zechariah 4:6.  It is when the troubles come that we are tempted to resort to our own strength and devices to meet them.  Doing so almost always results in despair.  At these times, we are to trust, to fix our eyes on the overcoming One.