Who Is the Holy Spirit?

7 things you need to know

Jesus told his disciples, ” I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you” (John 14:16-17 NIV).

Jesus continued, “the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26 NIV). Let’s explore seven foundational things you need to know about the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is a person.

The Holy Spirit came after Jesus, and remained—not just for the disciples, but for us as well. The Holy Spirit is an incredible gift from God, a constant companion who empowers, teaches, and transforms us. Let’s explore seven foundational things you need to know about the Holy Spirit.

1. The Holy Spirit is God.

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity—fully God and co-equal with the Father and the Son. In Matthew 28:19, Jesus instructed His disciples to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, pointing to their unity and divinity.

The Holy Spirit is a person with a will, emotions, and the ability to relate to us. He can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30), He intercedes for us (Romans 8:26), and He empowers us (Acts 1:8). As we recognize the Holy Spirit as God, our worship and trust in His presence deepens and grows.

Ask yourself: How does knowing the Holy Spirit is God influence the way I pray or worship?

2. The Holy Spirit lives within believers.

One of the most remarkable truths of the Christian faith is that the Holy Spirit lives in every person who accepts Christ as Lord and Savior. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:19, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God” (NKJV)?

The Spirit’s indwelling presence signifies God’s closeness. He chooses to reside in us, transforming our hearts and guiding our lives. We are never alone—God is always with us, strengthening, and comforting us.

When you feel overwhelmed or uncertain, remind yourself that the Holy Spirit’s power is available to guide and sustain you in those very moments.

3. The Holy Spirit empowers us for daily living.

In Acts 1:8, Jesus promised His followers, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses.” His power is available for our daily lives.

The Holy Spirit strengthens us to resist sin, equips us to serve others, and gives us courage to share the gospel. Paul reminds us in Galatians 5:16 to “walk by the Spirit” so we won’t gratify the desires of the flesh. Whether it’s overcoming temptation, loving someone difficult, or finding courage to speak the truth, the Holy Spirit empowers us to live out our faith.

The next time you face a challenge, ask the Holy Spirit for the strength to respond in a way that honors God.

4. The Holy Spirit teaches and guides us.

Jesus described the Holy Spirit as our teacher and guide (John 14:26). The Spirit leads us into truth (John 16:13) and helps us understand scripture.

He will reveal scripture to you!

We can invite the Holy Spirit into our Bible study and prayer and ask Him to reveal God’s Word to us. He also provides wisdom and discernment for our daily decisions, nudging us toward God’s will. Trusting the Holy Spirit’s guidance transforms uncertainty into confidence.

Consider praying before you open your Bible, “Holy Spirit, show me what I need to learn today.”

5. The Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts.

The Holy Spirit equips every believer with spiritual gifts to serve the Church and advance God’s kingdom. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:7, “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” (NIV) Gifts range from teaching and leadership to hospitality and encouragement.

Learning about and using your spiritual gifts is an exciting part of your faith journey. Pray for God to reveal your gifts and look for ways to serve others with them. As you do, you’ll experience the joy of being used by God to bless others.

Gifts are about what we do, fruit is about who we become.

If you haven’t, you may want to take a spiritual gifts assessment or talk with a trusted mentor to identify how God has uniquely equipped you.

6. The Holy Spirit produces spiritual fruit.

The Holy Spirit also cultivates godly character within us. Galatians 5:22-23 describes godly character as the fruit of the Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (NIV).

These traits reflect Jesus and grow as we yield to the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. While gifts are about what we do, fruit is about who we become. Over time, as we surrender to the Spirit, we’ll see evidence of His transformative power in our relationships, attitudes, and actions. What fruit would you like to cultivate in your life? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you work on it this week.

7. The Holy Spirit is the seal of salvation.

The Holy Spirit is God’s guarantee that we belong to Him and that His promises are true. Paul writes in Ephesians 1:13-14, “When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance” (NIV).

This seal provides assurance of our salvation and hope for the future. Even when we face doubts or struggles, the Holy Spirit’s presence constantly reminds us of God’s faithfulness.

Pause and thank God for the Holy Spirit’s presence as a sign of His unshakable commitment to you.

• Reflect on each of these seven truths.
• Consider how the Holy Spirit is working in your life right now.
• Invite Him to guide you.
• Ask Him to fill you with His presence.
• Trust Him to lead you into deeper intimacy with God.

If you’re ready to take a next step, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal one area of your life where He wants to work today.

Ignite a Passion for Prayer

What is your approach to prayer? Do you fall on your knees often? Do you spend time with God so that when you receive a bad report, your first response is to go to Him? We invite you to find out more about getting reconnected in prayer here.