by Mike James

We are probably all aware that when we are baptized, we have hands laid on us, and prayer is provided to imbue the Holy Spirit within us. God's Spirit in us then helps us understand that we are God's children (Romans 8:16). The hope is this will lead to our eventual transformation into a Spirit being when Christ returns (1 Corinthians 15).

During the most recent Feast of Tabernacles, a question was posed to our panel of elders during a Bible study in Ohio. The question was about the Holy Spirit. The questioner understood that the Holy Spirit is God in us (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19), but they wanted to know what else we get from the Holy Spirit.

There are a number of things we receive once we have God's Spirit dwelling in us. For one, it will teach us things and help us remember things about God (John 14:26). In the Old Testament law, there were laws requiring Israel to wear tassels on their garments to help them remember God's law. Another law mentioned placing the laws in their doorways to remind them to observe God's law. Now that we have God's Holy Spirit available, unlike most of the ancient Israelites, we are reminded about God and His law by the Spirit of God dwelling in us.

John 16 provides us with further information on the advantages of the Spirit dwelling in us. In verses 8-11, we learn the Spirit will bring understanding about sin, righteousness, and judgment. Verse 13 of the same chapter also mentions the Spirit of God will help guide us into the truth. Verse 14 also tells us God's Spirit will glorify Christ in us.

I know when I do sin, I don't like it. I have an awareness in my mind reminding me to repent and find ways to not miss the mark the next time. I believe this is the working of God's Spirit in me.

The Holy Spirit can also help us with our prayer life. When we don't know what we should pray for, the Spirit will intercede to God for us (Romans 8:26-27). The Spirit will assist God in knowing our hearts and helping us with prayer in accordance with God's will.

One of the characteristics of God's Spirit is power. In Ephesians 3:16-17 we read that we can obtain inner strength through the Spirit. This God power can increase our faith, belief, and determination to stay connected to God.

One of the most famous scriptures about God's Spirit is Galatians 5:22-23. Here we have a litany of important traits that can be found in Christians that emanate from the Spirit. These traits include what is called the "fruit of the Spirit." These include love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Some of these fruits may be more prevalent in some than others but knowing about this fruit can help us use the Spirit to develop this fruit within us.

Once we have God's Holy Spirit, it is also important that we don't reject it or turn away from it. In Hebrews 10:26-27 we learn that if we deliberately go on sinning once we have a knowledge of the truth (Spirit within us), then no sacrifice for our sins is left. In fact, we face fiery indignation because of this rejection.

When you couple this with Hebrews 6:4-6 we are provided with clarity on the importance of nurturing the Spirit of God in you. This scripture supports what we read in Hebrews 10. Hebrews 6:4 makes it clear those who have received the gift of God's Spirit and have tasted the goodness of God's word and the power of the Spirit (verse 5) must not fall away from that Spirit. It obviously seems possible that falling away can happen. If it does happen, it seems like the person who has fallen away may not be able to return.

It's important to remember the gift of God's Spirit is the most important gift we could ever receive. When we receive this gift from God, we are on our way to eternal life. If you have repented and been baptized, please continue to grow that Spirit of God within you.

Prayer, meditation, Bible study, fellowship with like-minded brethren, good works, and observance of God's laws will help grow that Spirit of God within you.

Don't lead yourself in life—let God's Spirit lead you.