Knowing Holy Spirit: Part 1

Stop for a moment and consider your relationship with Holy Spirit. Would you describe Him as completely transformative, or is He more of a passive observer to your life? I see so many believers who have a very complicated relationship with Holy Spirit or even none whatsoever. God is calling this generation to a greater knowledge and relationship with His Spirit. Let’s look at some ways that we can know Holy Spirit in a greater way!  

All of the personality and nature of Jesus is in Holy Spirit.

This revelation set me out to understanding Jesus in a deeper way. I often tell people, “Want to understand Holy Spirit? Get to know Jesus!” The personality and desires of Christ appear much more defined to us because we can read His words in Scripture. God was showing me that this was Holy Spirit just as much as it was Christ. Jesus himself said “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19)

The Lord also brought this scripture to mind: “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you… When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. (John 16:7, 13-15) 

Jesus made it clear that it would be better for Holy Spirit to come. Realistically, what could be better than Jesus? As amazing as Christ in the flesh was, He did have limitations. We know that Jesus was tempted, He had normal human sensations such as hunger and grief. He also was limited in terms of location. A man can only be at one place and can effectively listen to only one person at a time. When Lazarus was sick, Jesus was unable to be reached for several days leading to Lazarus’ death; although Jesus easily raised him.  

Holy Spirit is every bit as powerful, loving, and passionate as Jesus; however, Holy Spirit is everywhere at all times. He indwells the believer and is literally everywhere we are at all times. Every temptation and even in grief, He is there. Despite failure and weakness, He is present. I bet the disciples wished Jesus was with them while they unsuccessfully attempted to cast out a demon in Mark 9:14-29. Holy Spirit is infinitely able to be present, heard and communed with. His agenda is heaven’s agenda. Often, we are the only obstacle to Him moving or speaking.

Holy Spirit is infinitely able to be present, heard, and communed with.

Holy Spirit is a Person 

Think for a moment about the way we approach worship services. While they may appear dynamic and spontaneous, often times, they are anything but. Especially in larger settings, services often are scheduled down to the second. A former ministry I was a part of took this to the extreme. We kept a countdown screen in the stage and one on the back wall just in case. In our service planning meeting, we would discuss even when or how the “spontaneous worship” would break out and who would lead it from the stage. Occasionally, we would even coordinate with certain people in the crowd to either stand or come up front. To the casual observer, they were in a great service. After all, that’s what we were targeting: casual observers who had children and paid tithes.  

This felt wrong to me for obvious reasons. Often, I would comment, “Where is Holy Spirit” and, “That’s not genuine.” After several objections, I gained the nick name “Old-Timer.” Apparently, that is the way things were done in days past. Now, we have a computer and a clock. Even our worship consists of backing tracks and a click metronome. Do not misunderstand me, I am not totally against such things, but the thought of relying on our program instead of Holy Spirit for direction turns my stomach.  

Holy Spirit is not always understood as a person of the Godhead. He is not seen as truly present, or at least active most of the time. In truth, He is more alive and active than the air you’re breathing. He moves on, in, and through the praise, declarations, faith, and prophecy of His people. Every day, He must be passionately sought and listened to. We can never break communion with Holy Spirit or we will be lost without His direction and anointing.  

Holy Spirit Speaks 

Our current ministry is a house church. The focus has been to give Holy Spirit room to move in every meeting. I have to admit, it took time for us to detox from a system of charts, agendas, and orders of worship. Everything from teaching, to singing, to giving can be used as a key to open the heavens. I often forego sermon notes and speak what Holy Spirit has laid on my heart. I have found, it is much easier to hear Holy Spirit when you aren’t reading bullet points. The further we move into spontaneous worship, the more we must depend on Holy Spirit. Search for what Holy Spirit is saying or doing and press into His impression and you will encounter breakthrough at every level.

I can promise, if you give Holy Spirit adequate room to speak, He will do that and much more. Imagine if Jesus was scheduled to attend your meeting next week. Obviously, the whole service would be structured around His presence. You would expect Him to not only speak, but to heal, deliver, prophesy, even raise the dead. People would come from miles around to see and hear Him. The truth is, we don’t expect Jesus to come and we plan accordingly. When He does come, we have a schedule to keep so He gets ignored.  

Our pastors aren’t conditioned to hearing His voice and the people aren’t trained to listen. I am ashamed to say, if Holy Spirit took a week off this Sunday, many churches wouldn’t notice a difference. The pastor wouldn’t either. He’s on part three of a six week series. This whole concept should scare and shock you. The church cannot continue in such a dead and lifeless state. We are the living fulfillment of 2 Timothy 4:3, “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions…” 

We need Holy Spirit more than ever before. Get in your prayer closet and pray until you sense His presence. Listen until you hear His voice. Lead others to do the same and we will see a much needed revival in our land.  

Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
For behold, darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you,
and his glory will be seen upon you.
And nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your rising. 

Isaiah 60:1-3