Before I went to college, I rarely heard any teaching about the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. I knew that He was the third person of the Trinity and that He convicted me of my sin and showed me my need for Christ, but that was about it. When I went to Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, I visited different churches and was exposed to all sorts of “teaching” about the Holy Spirit and His ministry in the life of a believer. To be honest, I became confused and disillusioned. I then began to see what scripture said concerning the Holy Spirit, especially about His working in my life. After an extensive study on the person and work of the Holy Spirit, here’s what I was able to conclude about the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer:
He Is Our Constant Companion
When you turned from sin and put your trust in Christ Jesus, He comes to live within you in the person of the Holy Spirit, your constant companion. He has promised never to leave you or forsake you. The Lord Jesus, through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, is always with you no matter where you are. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. (John 14:16, CSB)
He Is Our Teacher
The Holy Spirit is your great teacher and wise counselor. He is the Spirit of Truth that guides us into all wisdom and helps us discern the truth of God’s Word. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you. (John 14:26, CSB)
He Is Our Prayer Intercessor
When we don’t know what to pray for, the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf, praying with us and for us. 26 In the same way, the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26-27, CSB) He Gives Us Power, Love, Self-Control The Holy Spirit is not a giver of fear. On the contrary, He gives strength and stability to our lives. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment. (2 Timothy 1:7, CSB)
He Enables Us To Witness To Christ
The Holy Spirit will take your witness and testimony and present Jesus to others through your lips and your life. He will present more and more of Jesus to you in new and exciting ways. 26 “When the Counselor comes, the one I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—he will testify about me. 27 You also will testify, because you have been with me from the beginning. (John 15:26-27, CSB) As I discovered these truths and came to realize the role of the Holy Spirit in my life as a believer, I sensed that God was always with me and had a desire to control and empower my life. But I had to yield to Him! Have you come to this realization? Have you yielded your life to Christ who indwells you in the person and power of the Holy Spirit? As Paul said to the church at Ephesus, And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless living, but be filled by the Spirit: (Ephesians 5:18, CSB).
