Investigate the Holy Spirit
Scripture reading: John 16:5-16. Text: “‘But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.'” John 16:7.
The celebration of Pentecost is recorded in the New Testament as the holiday remembering the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and is considered the birthday of the Church. Please read Acts of Apostles 2:1-41. Learning about the Holy Spirit can best be approached through looking at his gentle work. In the earthly world, we cannot precisely describe the Holy Spirit but we can learn about him from the Bible. Please see our Scripture reading. Think about love: you can feel it, receive it, offer it, but you can only control the love you GIVE. You cannot control or shape, according to your desire or interest, the love others give you.
MAY THESE CASES LEAD US CLOSER TO THE PERSON AND WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
The Holy Spirit can INSPIRE us and if we let him, he will INFLUENCE us. Please read 2 Timothy 3:16. What is the difference between inspiration and influence? Inspiration causes a desire to do something. Influence can be positive or negative. The Holy Spirit’s influence can positively lead us to do good things. It can restrain us from doing bad things. To take advantage of the Holy Spirit’s inspiration we should be open; his influence or conviction will always be in our best interests.
The Holy Spirit may INSTILL noble ideas into us and will INSTRUCT us if we allow. INSTILL means “… to put (an idea, principle, feeling, etc.) in or into little by little; impart gradually.” Webster New World Dictionary. In instruction we find authority, organization and discipline. The Holy Spirit is always gentle. Apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonians: “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire;” 1 Thessalonians 5:19. When the “Spirit’s fire” is mentioned, remember the first Pentecost. “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit …” Acts of Apostles 2:1-4/a.
The Holy Spirit may INVITE us but never INVADES us. An invitation is a nice offer but never a command. There is no law that forces you to accept an invitation. You are given a chance to accept it or excuse yourself and not oblige. Please think of the parable of the Great Banquet. “… ‘A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests … But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.'” Luke 14:16 and 18. Invasion indicates forceful entry and the Holy Spirit is not forceful.
The Holy Spirit may INFORM us but he will not INSTIGATE us. Information is a certain piece of knowledge or news that is offered usually in a polite way. What do we learn in our Scripture reading? “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.” John 16:13/a. To instigate means: “to urge on, spur on, or incite to some action, esp. to some evil.” Webster New World Dictionary.
The Holy Spirit INTERCEDES in our behalf before God and helps us to be INQUISITIVE about spiritual things. We learn from Apostle Paul: “… but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” Romans 8:26/b. The Holy Spirit is respectful and does not interfere forcefully with our private life but He does prompt us to learn more.
The Holy Spirit INTENSIFIES our positive traits and helps us become a better person, however, if we refuse his inspiration he will not INTIMIDATE us. Our Lord made this promise before his ascension: “‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'” Acts of Apostles 1:8. See also Acts of Apostles 4:31.
Finally the Holy Spirit’s subtle inspiration rather resembles a person’s INTUITION that works in an intimate way, more so than an INPUT that is not in harmony with the individual’s spirituality.
We cannot manipulate the power of the Holy Spirit but we can enjoy his gifts: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22.
The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired United Presbyterian minister living in Ligonier.