A Study on the Holy Ghost

̶ Week 10 of 38 ̶

By David Wilson

© 2017 by David Wilson

All rights reserved

13. He sanctifies.

Romans 15:16

That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

The most forgotten and most unpreached message of the Bible is the message of sanctification. Preachers are afraid to preach sanctification, because to do so you must get down to where people live out their everyday lives. Sanctification concerns how we live, how we dress, the places we go, the things we do, and the words we use. The Bible deals with all these things, and that’s why people don’t want to hear what “thus saith the Lord.” It’s all right to go to church and hear a sermon preached as long as it doesn’t affect us or the things we want to do. But to serve God, the way God wants us to, we must conform to God’s standards, which is exactly what people do not seem to want to do. We say we want to live for God, and we do, as long as it doesn’t interfere with our own desires. Sanctification is the putting away of anything that hinders our walk with God. There is a biblical sanctification, which we all must adhere to, and then there is a personal sanctification, which is on a personal level be-tween us and God.

14. He witnesses.

Romans 8:16

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

One of the greatest blessings that we can have is the witness of the spirit, whereby we can know that all is well between us and God. By this witness we can know that we are saved. We can know in whom we have believed, and we can build upon this assurance, with a “know-so” salvation, not a hope-so or a maybe-so salvation.

(Next week we will read about how the Holy Ghost commands.

If you enjoyed this, you can purchase the book on our website in the Bookstore.)

A Study on the Holy Ghost

̶ Week 9 of 38 ̶

By David Wilson

© 2017 by David Wilson

All rights reserved

11. He helps our infirmities and intercedes for the saints.

Romans 8:26

Likewise the spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

The work of the Holy Ghost is always in progress. As we look at the workings of the spirit, we need to remember that it is hard to separate each one, because they overlap. Here, we see that He helps our infirmities and intercedes for us. Interceding for us is the same as helping our infir-mities, though both are separate. The dictionary states that infirm is being feeble or weak or lacking firmness of purpose. Infirmity is a physical or mental defect. Whatever the problem, spiritual or physical, the Holy Ghost goes before God in our behalf. Just think for a moment how good it is to have the Holy Ghost go before God on our behalf, to intercede for us when we don’t know what we need or how we should pray. The Holy Ghost knows what we need and asks God to give us the help and strength to overcome. To give us a comforter and intercessor to walk us through the difficult times, to stand beside us and speak God’s love to us, reveals how much God cares about his people. We can’t fathom just how much Jesus and our Heavenly Father loves us, to send us this comforter, this precious Holy Ghost. Thank God that we don’t walk this way alone. We have a God who is in control, a Savior who redeems us from sin, and a Holy Ghost that inhabits us and takes care of us.

12. He searches the deep things of God.

1 Corinthians 2:10

But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea the deep things of God.

Many things in the word of God must be spiritually discerned. Discovering the truths in God’s Word is like finding diamonds. Many precious gems lay on the surface to easily be picked up. Yet there are many that we must dig for, the deep things of God, wonderfully precious, but which can only be brought to light by the Holy Ghost. This is why we must study the word of God, so that as we study, the Holy Ghost can reveal to us the wonders of God and His word.

(Next week we will read about the Holy Ghost sanctifying us.

If you enjoyed this, you can purchase the book on our website in the Bookstore.)

A Study on the Holy Ghost

̶ Week 8 of 38 ̶

By David Wilson

© 2017 by David Wilson

All rights reserved

8. He reproves.

John 16:8

And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

The Holy Ghost is now in the world. By His very presence the world is condemned, and sin is brought to light for what it really is, death to our soul. He reproves us of sin so that we may walk with God. The presence of the Holy Ghost brings to light those hidden sins. He reproves us and causes us to repent so that there is nothing that stands between us and God.

9. He guides.

John 16:13

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Romans 8:14

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

The work of the Holy Ghost, as we see here, is to lead us in the way of truth. Those things He hears from God He delivers to the saints through tongues and interpretation, or by prophecy that the saints may become strong. Let us never forget that the Holy Ghost may, and does, at sundry times, use the “Word of Wisdom” for the perfecting of the saints. This lets us know we are not alone, we are not forsaken, and the Lord is still in control of everything that has to do with His saints.

10. He comforts.

Acts 9:31

Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

What a comfort to know that the Holy Ghost is with us and dwells within us, to comfort in all the curves that life holds. We know that in every problem Jesus is always with us and we are never alone. The Holy Ghost is that special comforter that Jesus sends to lift us up when we are weak; that special anointing that gives us peace in the midst of the storm; the ability to know that we know that we know we are saved, held in the arms of Jesus.

(Next week we will read about the Holy Ghost interceding for the saints.

If you enjoyed this, you can purchase the book on our website in the Bookstore.)

A Study on the Holy Ghost

̶ Week 7 of 38_ ̶

By David Wilson

© 2017 by David Wilson

All rights reserved

5. He can be vexed.

Isaiah 63:10

But they rebelled, and vexed His holy spirit: therefore He was turned to be their enemy, and He fought against them.

To grieve is to do that which is not like unto God; to vex is to repeatedly do that which you know the Lord is not pleased with; and thus the sweet and gentle Holy Ghost becomes vexed. The dictionary states: To grieve means to provoke to anger or displeasure by small irritations; annoy.

Thus we see that the Holy Ghost has a mind, a will, and emotions or feelings.

6. He teaches.

John 14:26

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

One of the main works of the Holy Ghost, as I see it, is teaching believers how to walk uprightly before God. By placing conviction on the heart when we are about to do wrong or after we have made some sort of mistake, the Holy Ghost will instruct us and keep us on the right path.

I have found as I read and study my Bible that the Holy Ghost will help me to understand God’s holy word. He teaches me how to seek the truth. He reveals to me those things that make me a better servant. He reveals hidden truths. Studying God’s Word is like looking for gold. Some golden nuggets are found lying on the surface, but others have to be dug out. Dig deep and search out God’s best; you will never be disappointed.

7. He testifies of Christ.

John 15:26

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

The Holy Ghost doesn’t testify of himself, but He leads men and women to the Lord Jesus Christ. It is Jesus that saves the souls of lost mankind. The Holy Ghost convicts man of his sins and draws them to the Savior. He testifies of God’s greatness. The Holy Ghost is a perfect gentleman, so He never goes where He isn’t wanted. He is a very humble spirit, very gentle; and He is not boastful.

(Next week we will read about how the Holy Ghost reproves.

If you enjoyed this, you can purchase the book on our website in the Bookstore.)

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.

If you enjoyed this, you can purchase the book on our website in the Bookstore.)