There’s something sacred about gathering together in the middle of a busy week, carving out space for God. You could be home on the patio, enjoying a burger in the spring air—but you’re here. That, in itself, is a sign of spiritual health. Why? Because hunger is a sign of life.
I once worked as a translator for a medical doctor in Haiti. One of his first diagnostic questions to patients was this: Are you hungry? It wasn’t about food. He explained, “If they’re not hungry, they’re not healthy.” In the same way, your hunger for more of God is evidence that something is alive in you.
That hunger is stirred by the Holy Spirit.
Who Is the Holy Spirit?
Last week, we began a study on the Holy Spirit, and one of the first things we said is this: He is self-effacing. He does not point to Himself but always to Jesus. In fact, one of the best ways to talk about the Holy Spirit is to let Scripture set the proportion. He’s central, yes—but never self-centered. He leads us to Christ.
Jesus calls Him the Helper (John 14:16), and we explored how the Spirit helps us:
- Understand Scripture
- Pray in alignment with God’s will
- Worship rightly
- Become more like Jesus
All of this is aimed at one goal: glorifying God by conforming us to Christ. That’s spiritual transformation—not just information.
The Spirit as Breath, Comforter, and Fire
The Hebrew word for Spirit is ruach—wind, breath, spirit. In Genesis, God breathes life into Adam. In John 20, Jesus breathes on the disciples and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” He is the animating presence of God, the divine breath that brings dead things to life.
But this breath is not impersonal. He is not a force—He is a Person. A Comforter. A Counselor. He brings peace not just by calming our nerves but by reconciling us to God, washing away our guilt, and strengthening us in spiritual warfare.
The Spirit is also described as fire and oil—symbols of illumination, anointing, purification, and power. He convicts us of sin, reveals the truth of Scripture, and gives spiritual gifts, including discernment. All of this is part of His ministry to conform us to Christ.
The Holy Spirit in the Trinity
As we dove deeper, we began exploring the place of the Holy Spirit in the Trinity. The Christian God is one in substance, three in person. That’s not just theological jargon—it’s essential to who God is.
God doesn’t have relationships; He is relationship. Father, Son, and Spirit are co-eternal, co-equal, and mutually indwelling. You can’t get one without the others. When the Spirit speaks, it’s the Word (Jesus) carried by the Breath (Spirit), sent by the Father. They are distinct but indivisible.
Understanding the Trinity isn’t about mastering a formula—it’s about standing in awe of the God who welcomes us into His very life.
You Are Your Relationships
This brings us to a powerful truth: you don’t just have relationships—you are relationships. Just like I’m not a father without my children, you are not you apart from your relational context.
And when you enter into relationship with Jesus—when you are in Christ through the Spirit—you are born again. Something eternal is birthed in you. Divine life flows through you, not because you’ve earned it, but because you’re united with the One who is Life itself.
This is why we say a Christian is someone who is in Christ. Not just someone who believes in Jesus, but someone who abides in Him through the indwelling Spirit.
Final Thoughts
This study reminded us that we don’t approach the Holy Spirit merely to learn facts—we come with our shoes off, in reverence and surrender. He is not only the breath of God—He is God. And He comes to change us, not just inform us.
The Spirit you’ve received is not a lesser God. He is the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead—and He dwells in you.
So let the hunger in you grow. It’s the Spirit’s gift, drawing you deeper into the life of the Triune God.
Recommended Resource:
📘 Hearing God by Dallas Willard — a powerful guide for learning to discern the Spirit’s voice.
