I suppose I don’t have much to contribute on the subject of the Spirit, other than to recognize and point out the fact that the way that we describe Him, is what He is – Holy. I guess I’ve sort of taken that for granted and almost considered it to be His first name – Holy, last name Spirit. Of course, this is silly, and Holy here is an adjective and a noun.

From reading, Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit by Francis Chan, I’ve realized that I’ve somewhat boxed the Spirit in. Now, mind you, I’m only through chapter 3 and have 4 more to go before this book is closed.

A few things that strike me from reading this book is that the way I “see” the Spirit is due to my walk early on. I’ve been bruised pretty deeply by going through years of reciting a small booklet with the word, “Satisfied?” emblazened across the center. And upon flipping the book over you see the word, “Satisfied.” Just a bit of punctuation, but I think at this point in my life I can say has given me the wrong understanding of who the Holy Spirit is. As if, MY SATISFACTION had anything to do with it. I understand though the famous quote,

“God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him”

Being satisfied IN God, is so very different than getting what I want (I’ve learned over my 29 years that these are two totally different things.

Now, let me say that I am not bashing this booklet or the organizations that choose to use said booklet, I am however, stating that this booklet did not teach me all I ever needed to know about living a life dedicated and submitted to the Holy Spirit.

While going through chapter 3 of Chan’s book, I came across this bulleted list that hit me as surprisingly refreshing and freeing, maybe just seeing things put a different way, or reading them back to back, not sure, regardless I feel enlivened to these truths and wanted to share them with you here to encourage your hearts. “… but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrew 10:25

Here is that list:

• The Spirit helps us speak when we are in precarious situations and need to bear witness (Mark 13:11; Luke 12:12)
• The Counselor teaches and reminds us of what we need to know and remember. He is our comforter, our advisor, our encourager, and our strength. He guides us in the way we should go (Ps. 143:10; John 14-16; Acts 9:31; 13:2;15:28; 1 Cor 2:9-10; 1 John 5:6-8).
• From the Spirit we receive power to be God’s witness to the ends of the earth. It is the Spirit who draws people to the gospel, the Spirit who equips us with the strength we need to accomplish God’s purposes. The Holy Spirit not only initially draws people to God, He also draws believers closer to Jesus (Acts 1:8; Rom 8:26; Eph. 3:16-19).
• By the power of the Spirit we put to death the misdeeds of the body. The Spirit sets us free from the sins we cannot get rid of on our own. This is a lifelong process we entered into, in partnership with the Spirit, when we first believed (e.g., Rom 8:2).
• Through the Spirit we have received a spirit of adoption as children, which leads us into intimacy with the Father, instead of a relationship based on fear and slavery. The Spirit bears witness to us that we are His children.
• The Holy Spirit convicts people of sin. He does this both before we initially enter into right relationship with God and as we journey through this life as believers (John 16:7-11; 1 Thess 1:5).
• The Spirit brings life and freedom. Where the Spirit is, there is freedom, not bondage or slavery. In our world that is plagued with death, this is a profound truth that points to real hope (Rom 8:10-11; 2 Cor 3:17).
• By the power of the Holy Spirit we abound with hope because our God is a God of hope, who fills His children with all joy and peace (Rom 15:13).
• As members of God’s kingdom community, each of us is given a manifestation of the Spirit in our lives for the purpose of the common good. We all have something to offer because of what the Spirit gives us (1 Cor 12:7).
• The fruit of being led by the Spirit includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These attitudes and actions will characterize our lives as we allow ourselves to be grown and molded by the Spirit. The Spirit is our sanctifier (2 Cor. 3:18; Gal.5:22-23).

It felt so good to type those – to be liberated by the Spirit is freedom, indeed! I’m praying that my life will reflect the deepness and holiness of the Spirit, as I continue to walk with God – and praying that yours will as well.