A Study of the Holy Spirit

The Personality of the Spirit

The Holy Spirit , like a person, has a personality. Personality is made up of distinctive elements such as the heart, mind, and will. Therefore, in order to get to know the Holy Spirit better, we must look at the elements that make up His personality.

The Heart of the Spirit

The heart is the seat of affection. It is that element that allows us to love, hate, or even grieve. Romans 15:30 speaks of the "love of the Spirit". We are told in Romans 5:5 that the love of God which is in our hearts was put there by the Holy Spirit. The love of the Spirit is also evident in His act of comfort. As the Comforter, His love consoles us in time of trouble. In Acts 9:31 we see the church "walk in the comfort of the Holy Spirit".

We know that the Holy Spirit has a heart in the fact that He can be grieved - or what we call "heartbroken". Ephesians 4:30 commands us not to grieve the Holy Spirit by the way we live and act.

The Mind of the Spirit

The mind is the source of intelligence, reason, wisdom and knowledge. The mind allows us to think, plan and comprehend. Romans 8:27 refers to the "mind of the Spirit". In Acts 13:2 we see the Holy Spirit decide who to send on missionary journeys. All through the book of Acts we see the Holy Spirit decide where the Gospel was to be preached.

The Will of the Spirit

It is with our will that we make decisions and express our thoughts and feelings. Again, the book of Acts emphasizes the mind and will of the Holy Spirit. Consider the following:

• The Spirit commanded and moved Philip from place to place (Acts 8:29, 39)
• The Spirit exercised authority over Peter (Acts 10:19,20)
• The Spirit restrained and constrained Paul (Acts 16:6,7)

The Holy Spirit also exercises His will over us. He decides which gifts we will have (1 Corinthians 12:11).

Because the Holy Spirit is a person, relationship with Him must be personal. Our relationship with Him cannot be far off in the distant. As we develop a closer relationship with Him, we shall become like Him. As we become more like Him, we die to ourselves, those desires and elements of our lives that are not like Him. We can then proclaim as Paul in Galatians 2:20:

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

The Action of the Holy Spirit

Over 160 scriptures in the bible refer to some type of action by the Holy Spirit. For instance:

• He can search the heart (1 Corinthians 2:10)
• He can speak (Acts 13:2)
• He can pray (Romans 8:26)
• He can testify (John 15:26-27)
• He can teach (John 14:26)
• He can lead (Romans 8:14)

The Names of the Holy Spirit

The names which the bible attributes to the Holy Spirit tell who He is and how He acts. Consider the following:

• The Spirit of God (Genesis 1:2)
• The Spirit of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2)
• The Spirit of the Lord God (Isaiah 61:1)
• My Spirit (Genesis 6:3)
• The Spirit of Wisdom (Isaiah 11:2)
• The Spirit of Understanding (Isaiah 11:2)
• The Spirit of Counsel and Might (Isaiah 11:2)
• The Spirit of Knowledge and the Fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2)
• The Spirit of Grace and Supplication (Zechariah 12:10)
• The Spirit of God (Matthew 3:16)
• The Spirit of the Lord (Luke 4:18)
• The Spirit of Him who raised up Jesus (Romans 1:4)
• The Spirit of the Living God (2 Corinthians 3:3)
• The Holy Spirit of God (Ephesians 4:30)
• Eternal Spirit (Hebrews 9:14)
• Spirit of Love (2 Timothy 1:7)
• Spirit of Truth (John 14:17)
• The Comforter (John 14:16)
• The Spirit of Adoption (Romans 8:15)
• The Spirit of Faith (2 Corinthians 4:13)
• The Spirit of Praise (1 Corinthians 14:15)
• The Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation (Ephesians 1:17)
• The Spirit of Promise (Ephesians 1:13)
• The Spirit of Glory (1 Peter 4:14)
• The Spirit of Grace (Hebrews 10:29)

Why is it important that we learn as much as we can about the Holy Spirit. Consider this quotation from Herbert Lockyer in his book "All About The Holy Spirit":

"Our conception of the Spirit likewise determines our attitude toward Him. If we think of Him merely as an influence then our attitude will be an active one—how can we get more of this power? But if we believe Him to be a person then our attitude will be a passive one. Yielded and still, our daily desires will be, how can He have more of us?" (Emphasis added)