The Role of the Holy Spirit in the Life of a Christian

by Paul Pierpoint

What role does the power of the Spirit play in the life of a Christian? 

1. Let us examine the SOURCE of this power. This power was not of human origin. It came from God through the person of the Holy Spirit. As we face the trials and battles of life, we constantly need the help of the Holy Spirit. He was their source of power in those apostolic days, He is our source of power today. It is He who quickens and empowers the believer. 

2. Let us examine the STRENGTH of this power. This little band of disciples were ordinary, unlettered men. But look what happened! At Pentecost those men became filled with the energy of the Spirit and they immediately began spreading the message of Christ with a new anointing. The Greek word used in Acts and over one hundred times in the New Testament is, “dunamis”. This was a supernatural, dynamic power endued upon them by the Holy Spirit. In 2 Timothy 1:7 there is again stated this concept of dynamic power…for we have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power (dunamis) and of love and of a sound mind. While all this happened two thousand years ago, the reality of this Divine strength can be ours today. 

3. Let us examine the SERVICE of this power. As we read through the book of Acts, starting with Pentecost, we find different avenues of service rendered by His believers, due to the filling of the Spirit. Some were empowered for teaching, some for preaching, some for healing and other ministries of the Spirit. 

We can see throughout the New Testament the correcting influence of the Spirit. “When He the Spirit is come, He will guide you into all Truth.” (John 16:13) Down through the years, Christians have felt the gentle inner checks and promptings of the Holy Spirit leading them in the way they should go. Paul, in writing to the Galatians states, “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25) The Spirit of God will guide and direct our walk and our daily living. 

The influence of the Spirit is also evident in our praying. “Likewise, the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for…but the Spirit maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8: 26) What an assurance to know that the Spirit of God even aids us when we pray. 

What a joy to know we have a Divine source, a dynamic strength, and a daily assistance for service, as we are saturated with the Holy Spirit. As Spirit-filled followers, we can live in the Spirit, we can walk in the Spirit, we can pray in the Spirit – our entire lives can be controlled and directed by the Spirit of God.

The hymnwriter expressed it so beautifully…

Breathe on me breath of God,
Fill me with life anew,
That I may love what Thou dost love,
And do what Thou wouldst do.

Breathe on me, breath of God,
Till I am wholly Thine.
Until this earthly part of me
Glows with Thy fire Divine.

—Edwin Hatch