Week 6: Last week we read about the Holy Ghost searching the heart.
A Study on the Holy Ghost
̶ Week 6 of 38 ̶
By David Wilson
© 2017 by David Wilson
All rights reserved
2. He searches the heart.
Romans 8:27
And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
The Holy Ghost is the searcher of our hearts. What does He search for? He brings to our remembrance all things. Sometimes we may need to ask forgiveness for some idle thought or deed; or for hard feelings over an incident. We may face a need to draw closer to the Lord, or to lay aside some habit that hinders our spiritual growth. He knows what we need to improve our spiritual well-being. He makes intercession before God on our behalf.
3. He divides as He wills.
1 Corinthians 12:11
But all these worketh. that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
Here we find the Holy Ghost dividing His spiritual gifts to the hearts of believers, as He (the Holy Ghost) sees fit. Let me be sure and add that to receive the gifts of the Holy Ghost one must be baptized in the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues. Thus, we see the Holy Ghost making the choices as to who will receive what gift. Note the Word does not say as God wishes, or as Christ wishes. The dividing of the gifts is left up to the giver of the gift, the precious Holy Ghost whose gifts are to be coveted. (This is one of the few times we are told to covet.)
1 Corinthians 12:31
But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. (The underlining is the emphases of the author.)
4. He can be grieved.
Ephesians 4:30
And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
“Grieve not.” These words say a mouthful. We are not to go back to those weak and beggarly elements which condemn our souls and take away the love of God from our hearts. The scripture states:
Ephesians 4:17-18
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind.
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
Therefore, let us lay aside those things, which hinder and grieve the Holy Ghost.
(Next week we will read about how the Holy Ghost can be vexed.
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