Increase Your Faith in the Holy Spirit

<p>In this episode of <em>Let’s Talk: Truth in Love</em>, Doug and Jess turn their attention to one of the most essential, and often misunderstood, realities of the Christian life: <strong>the Holy Spirit</strong>. Beginning with Galatians 5:25, “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit,” they explore the difference between simply receiving life by the Spirit and learning to actively walk with Him every day.</p><p>The Holy Spirit is not merely a symbol, feeling, or theological idea. He is God, the third Person of the Trinity, eternally one with the Father and the Son. Yet many Christians struggle to understand or relate personally to the Holy Spirit. Jesus Himself told His disciples that it was to their advantage that He go away, because then the Helper, the Holy Spirit, would come. While Jesus walked the earth in one place at one time, the Holy Spirit now dwells in believers everywhere, and wherever the Holy Spirit is, Jesus is present.</p><p>In this conversation, Doug and Jess discuss six major ministries of the Holy Spirit. First, the Father uses the Holy Spirit to draw people to Jesus and salvation. Second, the Holy Spirit brings about our spiritual rebirth, we are born again, born of God, and made new creations through the Spirit. Third, the Spirit anoints and empowers believers for life and ministry, giving gifts and strength for the common good and for the work of God’s Kingdom.</p><p>They also address common misunderstandings about the Spirit’s work. Some deny that spiritual gifts continue today, while others focus almost exclusively on the gifts and neglect the greater call to love, humility, service, and Christlike character. The gifts of the Spirit matter, but they must operate in the character of Christ and in step with the fruit of the Spirit.</p><p>The fourth ministry discussed is sanctification, the lifelong transformation of our lives so we become more and more like Jesus. Through the Spirit, God renews our minds, pours His love into our hearts, and grows in us the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Fifth, the Holy Spirit makes daily intimacy with Jesus possible. Through Him, we abide in Christ and learn to remain aware of His presence in everyday life.</p><p>Finally, the Holy Spirit provides divine leadership. Those who are led by the Spirit are sons and daughters of God. He teaches, guides, corrects, empowers, and persuades us in the way of truth. The Christ