When it comes to our faith, believers have a pretty good understanding of God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son and how we relate to them. For many of us, the Holy Spirit often remains a mystery. It’s hard to think of Him in the same way; is He some impersonal, invisible force somewhere in the universe? What is His purpose?
Others may believe that the Holy Spirit only makes an occasional appearance. Yet some may fear they will never know or experience Him. The Bible makes it clear that the Holy Spirit is real and is active in a personal way in every believer’s life.
Jesus emphasized the importance of the Holy Spirit when He told His disciples:
“But I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away. For if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you.” – John 16:7 (NKJV)
Consider that Jesus, God made flesh, told His disciples that it was better for them that He departs from this life so that the Holy Spirit (Helper) could be sent to them. It doesn’t get any clearer than that. The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in the Christian life.
Despite this fact, many believers struggle to be aware of His presence, hear His voice, or understand how He is supposed to work in our lives. Hopefully, this post will demystify the Holy Spirit, reveal who He truly is, and help you to experience His presence in your life.
As you read, I invite you to open your heart to what God wants to reveal to you. The Holy Spirit is not distant—He is here, right now, waiting to lead you into a deeper, richer walk with Him.
Who Is the Holy Spirit?
This is actually a pretty loaded question, but simply put, the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity. The foundational truth of our Christian faith is that there is one God who exists eternally as three distinct persons, not separate gods.
Attempting to explain the Holy Trinity is a complete study for another time. I’ll do my best to show how three persons exist in one. The Holy Spirit plays a unique role within the Trinity. Here’s how they fit together; the Father plans, the Son accomplishes, and the Spirit applies.
So, God the Father designed His purpose and plan for humanity before time began. God the Son was sent to accomplish the Father’s will through His life, death, and resurrection. God the Spirit now applies this work to our lives by guiding, teaching, and giving believers the strength to seek the kingdom of God.
Throughout the Bible, we see God’s triune nature in action. I believe that Mathew 3:16-17 shows us the Trinity at work;
“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment, heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (NIV)
Does that make sense? Here’s another way to look at the Trinity. From the beginning of time, God is love. The Father has always loved the Son; the Spirit is the very expression of love. If the Father is love, He has always loved someone (Jesus) and provided a way to express that love (Spirit).
Consider John 17:24, where Jesus prays, “Father … you loved me before the creation of the world.” (NIV)
Similarly, Romans 5:5 says,“God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”(NIV)
I hope this helps you understand the relation of God’s nature and the Holy Spirit’s vital role in our faith as Christians.
Where Is the Holy Spirit Found?
1. The Holy Spirit is everywhere
The Holy Spirit is everywhere and omnipresent, yet has a personal relationship with believers. Incredibly, the Holy Spirit resides within us at the exact moment we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
How does omnipresence fit into all of this? Well, the Holy Spirit was present at the very beginning of creation, bringing order and life into the world, including the universe. Genesis 1:2 says,“… the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.”(NKJV) The Holy Spirit played a vital role in the creation of the world. He is the giver of life, both physically and spiritually.
2. He dwells within us
The Spirit is always present. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we become the temple of the Holy Spirit, meaning God Himself takes residence in our hearts.
His presence is not distant or occasional—it’s constant and personal. He guides us by leading us into His truth, convicts us when we stray from God’s path and comforts us in times of hardship and uncertainty.
The Holy Spirit strengthens our faith, gently guides us to remember God’s promises, and empowers us to walk in obedience. We are never alone; He is with us in every moment. We only need to seek Him, listen for His voice, and trust where He leads us.
1 Corinthians 6:19; “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.” (NIV)
3. The Holy Spirit is found in our churches.
When we gather in unity, the Holy Spirit comes alive. He manifests His presence when we worship through prayer, preaching, Bible study groups, and the blessings of spiritual gifts that we all have.
When worshiping within the body of Christ, I’ve found that the Spirit moves powerfully through the church. I often feel His presence so deeply that tears flow—it’s an incredible experience.
Fellowship with other believers, whether in a Bible study or a biblical class, is another beautiful way to witness the Holy Spirit at work. I genuinely cherish His presence in these moments.
4. The Holy Spirit is actively present in the world
The Spirit is present and convicting people of sin and drawing them toward Jesus. Even before someone surrenders to Christ, the Spirit is already at work in their heart, gently stirring them toward salvation through God’s grace.
Many may not recognize His presence, but He is constantly softening hearts and pointing people to Jesus. This can happen in unexpected ways—through conversations with acquaintances, chance encounters, or even a deep, unshakable sense that there is something more.
As believers, we play an essential role in drawing others to Jesus. Living in the Spirit and leading a Christ-centered life is an excellent way to witness to others without saying a word. You’d be surprised at how people will look and wonder, “Why is that person so joyful?” This often leads to conversation, and therein lies the opportunity.
The Spirit moves in ways beyond our understanding, orchestrating moments that lead people to Christ. It’s truly amazing to see how God, through His Spirit, works in people’s lives.
I’ve experienced that unshakable feeling, that sense that there was something more I was missing. I call it the ‘internal nudge,’ and now I recognize it as the Holy Spirit moving within me. I’m so blessed to have learned to listen for His guidance and respond when He directs me. It’s incredible to see how the Spirit leads us, often in unexpected ways but always for our good.
5.The Holy Spirit speaks through scripture
Have you heard the term “the Bible is Spirit-breathed”? This means when we read the Bible, the Holy Spirit brings truth to light and helps us to know God’s will for our lives.
2 Timothy 3:16 ; “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,”(NIV)
The more we spend time with the Word of God, the more we recognize when the Spirit is speaking to us. I cannot stress enough how important it is to make this time with the Lord a daily priority. You’ll be incredibly grateful for the wisdom and peace that come from it.
Consider what John 14:26 says about the Holy Spirit’s role in teaching us and reminding us of God’s truth through Scripture: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” (NKJV)
We can see here that the Holy Spirit is our teacher, guiding us into a deeper understanding of God’s Word. He brings His promises from Scripture to mind, especially we need them most.
By spending time in the Word, we allow the Spirit to guide our hearts and minds, shaping us to grow in faith and obedience.
6. The Holy Spirit is found in an obedient believer
Like with Scripture, the more we walk in obedience to God, the more we experience the Spirit’s presence. The incredible power and guidance we receive through obedience take our relationship with God to a new level.
In our obedience, we begin to recognize that the Holy Spirit is always with us. The more we listen to those internal nudges, His voice becomes more apparent. It’s like having your best friend constantly by your side, guiding and encouraging you.
Galatians 5:25 says, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.’ When we walk in obedience, we walk closer to Him.” (NKJV)
How Can We Know the Voice of the Holy Spirit?
1. Aligns with Scripture
We’ve learned what we can do to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit through Scripture, being obedient, and listening to the little “nudges”. But how can we know if what we’re hearing is truly from the Spirit? First and foremost, the Holy Spirit will never contradict God’s Word.
If you feel led in a direction that goes against the teachings in the Bible, it’s not from the Holy Spirit. Spending time in the Word is probably the best way to know God’s truth. John 16:13says, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.”(NIV)
2. Bring Peace
The voice of the Holy Spirit will bring you peace, not confusion. If something leaves you feeling anxious or condemned, it’s more than likely not from Him. But if you experience a deep, unshakable peace—even when a decision is complicated—that’s a sign the Spirit is leading you.
From my experience, sometimes the Spirit will lead you in an uncomfortable direction. Just because it stretches you personally doesn’t mean you’re on the wrong path—it’s the Spirit guiding you according to God’s will.
When you step out in faith and persevere through the discomfort, you’ll eventually experience incredible joy as you see the bigger picture of His plan. It might take time, but following His prompts and staying true to His Word helps bring peace.
As you move forward and catch glimpses of where the Spirit is leading you, the excitement of what lies ahead feels almost tangible—like you could reach out and touch it. It’s that same feeling of wonder and eager anticipation you had as a child on Christmas morning.
The journey may not always be easy, but the peace and joy of discovering God’s plan along the way makes it all worth it.
3. Produces Godly Fruit
The Spirit’s voice will always lead you toward love, joy, peace, and holiness. If you feel prompted in a way that leads to pride, selfishness, or division, it’s not from Him.
Pride can be tricky; it’s natural to feel a sense of accomplishment in something you’ve worked hard on. Is it wrong to take pride in something you’ve built with your own hands? I love gardening and take pride in the raised beds I’ve built, the vegetables I’ve grown, and the process of canning the harvest.
Since accepting Jesus as my Savior, I’ve learned to step back and recognize that my accomplishments aren’t just my own. God has blessed me with the ability to build, grow, and preserve. So when I feel pride welling up inside, I shift my focus and thank Him for the gifts He has given me.
What about selfishness? We’ve all experienced it in one way or another. Maybe someone asks for help, but you’d rather watch a ball game. In that moment, a choice presents itself; do I assist a friend in need or prioritize something that, in the grand scheme of things, isn’t all that important? The answer is clear. Choosing to help someone leads to love, joy, and the fulfillment that comes from following the Spirit’s leading.
The Holy Spirit will always lead you to produce Godly fruit. Galatians 5: 22-23;“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”(NIV)
4. He is persistent yet gentle
The Holy Spirit often speaks through consistent, gentle prompting. As you know, I like to use the term “internal nudge”—that quiet voice urging us in a certain direction. I do have to admit—I’ve heard a voice like someone was in my head speak to me. It was clear as day: “Go out and minister.” I was shocked and amazed at the same time, but what a blessing.
If you keep having a thought or feeling that gently but persistently returns, pay attention to it. You’ll know if it’s from God because the Holy Spirit’s voice always points to Christ, drawing you into a deeper dependence on Him. His guidance won’t push with fear or pressure but will lead with peace, clarity, and conviction.
At times, the Holy Spirit’s persistence might feel like a thought you can’t shake—a quiet reminder tugging at your heart. You might feel a need to reach out to someone, step out in faith, or let go of something hindering your walk with God.
The Spirit won’t demand or force, but He will continue to nudge until we respond. The more we listen and obey, the more clearly we recognize His voice. And when we follow His leading, we often look back and see how perfectly He guided us all along.
I experienced that the persistent, gentle internal nudge I felt over many months is what ultimately led me to be baptized and freed me from alcoholism instantly. I didn’t fully understand why or what the outcome would be at the time, but I chose to trust in the Spirit’s voice—and I’m so incredibly grateful that I did.
Baptism is a public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ, and I understand that it’s not common to experience what I can only describe as a miracle during baptism, but it happened to me. You never know exactly where His guidance will lead, but one thing is sure: when you trust Him, you’ll never regret it.
How Can We Experience the Holy Spirit Today?
1. Cultivate a Relationship
As we’ve learned, the Holy Spirit isn’t just a force; He’s a Person who desires a relationship with us. The more time we spend with Him, the more we recognize His voice and presence.
One of the most important ways to build this relationship is through prayer. Talk to the Spirit daily, just as you would a close friend. As you pray, ask for His guidance and expect Him to answer. His response may not always come when or how you desire, but as long as you seek His direction within God’s will, you can trust that He will answer in His perfect timing.
Acknowledge His presence in everything you do. Your conversations with Spirit don’t have to be limited to formal prayers—you can talk to Him anytime. Invite Him into your everyday moments, whether you’re going for a walk, driving to work, or running errands. The more you converse with Him, the more natural it becomes, and you’ll be amazed at how your relationship with the Spirit deepens.
2. Be Filled with the Spirit
What exactly does it mean to be “filled with the Spirit”? Being filled with the Holy Spirit means living in a state of surrender to His presence, allowing Him to guide, empower, and transform you. It’s not about receiving more of the Spirit because, as believers, we already have Him living within us—remember, we are His temple. It’s about giving Him more of ourselves.
When someone is filled with the Spirit, they walk in step with Him. This means we are open to His leading, obedient to His promptings, and continually growing in our faith. Galatians 5:25; “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”(NIV)
To be filled with the Spirit requires a heart that seeks God; we do this through prayer, worship, and obedience. As we seek Him, He fills us with His wisdom, peace, and power, equipping us to live in a way that glorifies Christ.
Consider how the apostles were filled with joy for the Lord. Acts 13:52; “And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”(NIV)
Once you’ve experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit guiding you, you’ll find yourself longing for more. There’s nothing like the comfort of knowing Jesus is walking with you every step of the way through the Spirit.
He’s there in the joyful moments, and He’s there to bring peace and strength when life gets tough. No matter what you face, you’re never alone.
3. Listen for His Voice
We’ve already discussed the Holy Spirit’s gentle, internal nudge, but He speaks in many ways. In addition to His quiet voice within, He may communicate through dreams. I have yet to experience His guidance in a dream—at least not one I remember.
One of my favorite ways to hear from the Holy Spirit is through quiet time with the Lord. I sit in silence, letting my mind relax, not thinking about anything—just being still in His presence. It’s amazing what that small voice might say when you take the time to listen.
It could be an answer to something that’s been weighing on your heart, direction in a decision you’ve been struggling with, or even an unexpected inspiration you’ve never considered.
Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.”(NIV) When we slow down and make space for Him, we allow ourselves to hear His voice more clearly.
Another way to tune in to the Holy Spirit is through journaling. Writing down what you feel He is saying can bring clarity; sometimes, as you write, unexpected thoughts or insights come to mind that offer guidance. I’ll admit that I need to be more consistent in my journaling, but I know it’s a powerful tool for recognizing His voice.
No matter how you feel, the Spirit is leading you; always test it against Scripture. The Holy Spirit will never guide you in a direction that goes against God’s Word. When we align our hearts with Him and stay rooted in Scripture, we can trust He will lead us in truth.
4. Step Out in Faith and Expect Miracles
The Holy Spirit moves powerfully in our lives when we take bold steps of faith. If we want to experience His power, we need to be willing to act. I’ve taken a few steps that felt pretty bold—at least to me. As I mentioned earlier, deciding to be baptized and insisting it had to be in a lake led to what can only be described as a miracle.
I’ve taken a couple of spiritual gifts surveys, and each time, the results pointed to Mercy, Exhortation, and Teaching—with Mercy consistently ranking first. That means I’m inclined to comfort others and minister to those in need. Exhortation suggests I’m a good counselor, encourager, and patient with others.
Teaching made sense to me, but the other two? Not so much. Mercy, in particular, felt way outside my comfort zone. But I’ve learned that when the Holy Spirit nudges, it’s best to follow.
Through a series of circumstances, I found myself led to a women’s and children’s crisis center that needs Christian mentors for the youth. So I prayed, “Okay, Lord, if this is what You want, I’m in.“
I took the leap at the time of this writing, and now I’m in the process of becoming a youth Christian mentor. I only have a couple more steps to go. I’m excited about the opportunity to guide young people toward a life of faith in Jesus Christ. Stepping this far outside my comfort zone is nothing short of a miracle.
What miracle is waiting for you? It may be just around the corner—all you need to do is step out in faith and follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Common Misconceptions about the Holy Spirit
1. The Holy Spirit Is Impersonal
Some believe the Holy Spirit is merely an impersonal force of nature—like electricity or amystical power—rather than a Person. However, the truth is that the Holy Spirit has intellect, emotions, and will. He teaches, speaks, guides, grieves, and loves.
Jesus Himself refers to the Spirit as “He,” not “it.”In John 14:26, Jesus says:“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”(ESV) The Holy Spirit is not just a force but a personal being who actively works in our lives.
2. The Holy Spirit Is Less Than God or the Son
Some think of the Holy Spirit as a lesser part of the Trinity, as if He is secondary to the Father and the Son. The truth is the Holy Spirit is fully God—equal in power, glory, and eternity with the Father and the Son.
Consider Acts 5:3-4, when Peter confronted Ananias about lying: “You have lied to the Holy Spirit… You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”(NIV) Here, Peter explicitly calls the Holy Spirit God, confirming His divinity. He is not inferior but fully divine.
3. The Holy Spirit Only Moves in Dramatic Ways
Some believe the Holy Spirit only works through grand, visible miracles—such as speaking in tongues, miraculous healings, or dramatic encounters. While the Spirit can work in powerful ways, He also moves in quiet, everyday moments—guiding, convicting, teaching, and comforting us.
Yes, speaking in tongues is a spiritual gift, but not everyone receives it. 1 Corinthians 12:11 says: “All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.”(NIV)
The Spirit works uniquely in each believer. I have not witnessed someone speaking in tongues, but I have experienced His presence in other ways.
Some also believe the Holy Spirit was only active in biblical times and no longer moves today. However, Acts 2:39 assures us that His work continues: “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”(NIV)
We can see here that the Holy Spirit is just as active today as He was in the early church. The phrase ‘for all who are far off’ reminds us that His promise wasn’t just for those back then but for everyone—both then and now. For clarity, “far off” refers to those who are of a distant future.
4. The Holy Spirit Always Makes You Feel Good
A common misconception is that the Holy Spirit only brings joy, peace, and excitement. While He comforts and encourages us, He also convicts us of sin and challenges us to grow.
Conviction by the Spirit can be uncomfortable, but it is a sign that He is at work in our lives. Sometimes, He calls us into situations that stretch and refine us—like my journey of stepping out as a Christian mentor.
When the Spirit convicts us, it’s not to shame us but to guide us toward righteousness. His goal is always to lead us into a deeper, more Christ-centered life.
Conclusion: Walking in the Spirit
Throughout this journey, we’ve explored who the Holy Spirit is, how He speaks to us through gentle nudges, and how He moves in our lives. We’ve seen He is not just a force but a personal and powerful presence—guiding, convicting, and comforting us.
The Holy Spirit isn’t reserved for a select few or dramatic moments alone. As believers, He actively works in our lives, moving us closer to Christ. We’ll hear His voice as a persistent nudge, a quiet whisper in prayer, or even through the words of Scripture. The key is learning to recognize Him, trust His guidance, and step out in faith.
When we develop a relationship with the Holy Spirit—through time in God’s Word, prayer, and obedience—we experience His presence in deeper ways. We begin to see how He leads us toward love, joy, peace, and holiness.
He may challenge us to step outside our comfort zones, but when we follow the Spirit’s promptings (nudges), we discover the joy and purpose He has in store for our lives.
As you progress, I hope you continue to seek Him, listen for His voice, and trust where He leads. You never know what miracle might be waiting just around the corner—all it takes is a step of faith.
May you walk in the Spirit, live in His power, and experience the fullness of life that comes from walking closely with Him.
Citations
Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.
Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
“Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”