June 8, 2022

When Jesus came to the Earth and selected a few men to follow Him as He ministered to the masses, even those closest to Jesus expected Him to set up an earthly, political kingdom. So, when Jesus began to talk with His disciples about “going away” to a place they could not come, they were understandably confused. They were ready to crown Jesus as King of Jerusalem, not realizing that the crown of thorns placed Jesus’ head at His crucifixion would be the moment He would be crowned as King of Kings. Yet Jesus, full of love and compassion, gently reassured their unsettled hearts by telling them that, though He was going away, He would send another Comforter.

While Jesus was on the Earth, the enemy was seeking to extinguish Jesus’ life and purpose, but Jesus knew that after His death, the enemy would seek the life and purpose of His disciples (John 10:10). Jesus desired to no longer dwell with them, but in them, thereby becoming their defense against the powers of darkness. Jesus instructed His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the gift the Father had promised, and “they shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now (Acts 1:5).” Fifty days after the resurrection, as they sat in one place in one accord, they heard a sound like a rushing mighty wind. The Holy Spirit filled each one of them and they spoke in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:1-4). 

Though the Scriptures reference both the Holy Ghost and the Holy Spirit, we should be careful to not get caught up in semantics. A ghost or a spirit is the presence of a “departed one”, and while Jesus, in a physical form, is no longer here on the Earth, His Spirit is with us and in us. The Holy Spirit operating in our lives gives us power (Acts 1:8) to defeat Satan and his devices warring against us. We must remember that the Holy Spirit is not an “it” but is the third person of the Godhead functioning with a purpose and personality. 

The Bible cautions us on specific ways in which we should treat the Holy Spirit. First, we should never quench or resist the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19). The Holy Spirit serves as a gauge in our lives often leading us in the way we should go. When we sense His presence and feel His pull, we must be quick to yield to Him. Secondly, we should not grieve the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). Engaging in sinful activity that is contrary to God’s Word can leave us feeling a deep sense of our wrongdoing. From bitterness to fits of rage, we often immediately feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit telling us that we have done something that isn’t pleasing to Him. While grieving the Holy Spirit is nearly inevitable because of our humanity, remember that when we confess our sins, God is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us of offense (1 John 1:9). Lastly, we must never blaspheme the Holy Spirit (Mark 3:29). This word blaspheme means that, once we know the Holy Spirit and His power, we must never curse, insult, slander, or speak against the Holy Spirit. 

The Holy Spirit is a wonderful gift to us as believers. Whether you need comfort, power, or direction, He is in you to help you live victoriously! Join us Sundays at 3 pm online or in person at Regeneration Nashville as we worship God in Spirit and truth! Until then, may God bless you, keep you, and make His face shine upon you. Be Regenerated! 

Your friend in Christ, 
Pastor Jasmine