The Holy Spirit

What guides you in your life when it comes to judging well? What helps you make decisions through discernment and keeps you in God’s purpose? When you find yourself in a situation where you can’t pray, who intercedes on your behalf? How did you discover Jesus? The Holy Spirit, as part of the Trinity, is fully God, not a force or energy, but a personal being who speaks, teaches, guides, and can be grieved. Ephesians 4:30, NKJV: "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”

Jesus once asked Peter, “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” Matthew 16:15–16, NKJV. Jesus responded, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven”  Matthew 16:17, NKJV. This revelation came through the Holy Spirit, showing that it is God who opens our eyes to Christ’s identity. Yet, when Peter later rebuked Jesus for predicting His death, Jesus said, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men” Matthew 16:23, NKJV. This contrast highlights the Spirit’s role in aligning our hearts with God’s will, as only the Holy Spirit reveals divine truth. John 16:13, NKJV “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”

When Jesus ascended, He promised a Helper: “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever” John 14:16, NKJV. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended, and the disciples “were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” Acts 2:4, NKJV. Empowered by the Spirit, they fearlessly spread the Gospel, fulfilling Jesus’ command to make disciples. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” Matthew 28:19, NKJV.

The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit equips believers with seven gifts to grow in faith and live according to God’s will. Isaiah 11:2–3, NKJV:

• Wisdom: Enables us to see life from God’s perspective, as James 1:5, NKJV says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him”
• Understanding: Helps us grasp spiritual truths, as 1 Corinthians 2:12, NKJV notes, “ Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.”
• Counsel: Guides moral decisions, reflecting Proverbs 3:5–6, NKJV “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”
• Fortitude: Grants courage, as Paul writes, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”  2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV.
• Knowledge: Reveals God’s purpose, as Psalm 119:105, NKJV declares, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
• Piety: Inspires worship, as John 4:24, NKJV says, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
• Fear of the Lord: Fosters humility and reverence, as Proverbs 9:10, NKJV states, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

 

These gifts strengthen our walk with God. “ Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” Romans 8:26, NKJV.

The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament

Was the Holy Spirit present in the Old Testament? Yes, though His presence was not as fully manifested as in the New Testament. The Spirit empowered God’s chosen, despite their flaws. Noah, righteous yet flawed, became drunk (Genesis 9:20–21, NKJV). Moses, a great leader, disobeyed God in anger (Numbers 20:10–12, NKJV). Isaiah, aware of his sinfulness, said, “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts” Isaiah 6:5, NKJV , yet God used him mightily. David, a man after God’s heart (1 Samuel 13:14, NKJV), sinned grievously (2 Samuel 11, NKJV), but the Spirit inspired his repentance. Psalm 51:11, NKJV: “Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me”. These accounts show the Spirit’s work, even before Pentecost, revealing God’s grace through imperfect vessels.

The Holy Spirit Today

The Holy Spirit continues His work, restraining the Antichrist until God’s appointed time: “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way” 2 Thessalonians 2:7, NKJV. By holding back the Antichrist, the Spirit protects the Church and enables the Gospel’s spread. Salvation itself is by grace through faith, as Ephesians 2:8–9, NKJV affirms: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” The Spirit dwells in believers, guiding us to “walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16, NKJV) and live with pure hearts, as we “work out our own salvation with fear and trembling” Philippians 2:12, NKJV

Our responsibility is to pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17, NKJV), live in obedience, and walk in the fear of the Lord. The Holy Spirit, our Helper, guides us into all truth, intercedes for us, and empowers us to fulfill God’s purpose, drawing us ever closer to Christ.

 

Breaking the Chains of the Past

Before you came into existence, there were your parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, great-great-grandparents, and the lineage continues far back into history. Along this ancestral line, altars were raised, covenants were made, words were spoken, and cultural practices were established. Just like DNA, these spiritual and cultural patterns have been passed down from generation to generation. The Bible acknowledges the weight of such generational patterns: “The Lord is longsuffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He by no means clears the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation”  Numbers 14:18, NKJV. This verse highlights how the consequences of sin can linger across generations, yet it also points to God’s mercy, which offers a way to break free.

Many traditions were shaped by man-made laws. In some, women were forbidden from certain actions, facing specific consequences if they transgressed, men had to undergo specific rites of passage in a cirtain way, such as circumcision. Within your lineage, you may notice relatives whose behaviors are difficult to understand struggles with strange addictions, destructive habits, or boundless anger. While some of these challenges are self-inflicted, others are deeply rooted in generational cycles passed down through spiritual covenants or unresolved ancestral issues.

Consider the tradition of marriage. Elders often seek to understand the background of the family you wish to marry into. Sometimes, jealousy can lead to false accusations. But other times, there may be truths about a family’s history, truths that are uncomfortable or unwanted. As a result, decisions are made: “Our sons or daughters shall not marry into that family!” perhaps because of their reputation, past misfortunes, or even poverty. All this stems from a fear of inheriting a lineage they believe to be “cursed” or flawed.

But here lies the pressing question: Should sons and daughters suffer for the sins of their fathers? Should the covenants of the forefathers be carried into new generations? Absolutely not. God declares “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself”  Ezekiel 18:20, NKJV. This verse affirms that each individual’s destiny is not bound by their ancestors’ sins.

So, how does one break free from this cycle and live a life that is unchained from the past?

The answer start with Baptism ."Jesus answered, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. John 3:5, NKJV. Baptism is to be immersed in water by an anointed servant of God, and rise a new. It represents dying to the old self and rising anew you.  "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17, NKJV.  To put this into perspective, the entire world underwent a form of baptism. God’s work of bringing order out of chaos begins with water in Genesis 1. His Spirit hovers over “wild and waste” waters, then separates them to form sky, sea, and dry land establishing life’s space,  Noahs flood cleansing the world and saving souls  “who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.” 1 Peter 3:20, NKJV

The Israelites were baptized as they passed through the Red Sea when fleeing Egypt: “all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea” 1 Corinthians 10:2, NKJV. Naaman dipped seven times in the Jordan River and was healed of leprosy (2 Kings 5:14). Jesus Himself was baptized (Matthew 3:16). Peter, upon seeing the resurrected Christ, jumped into the water from the boat, a symbolic act of transformation (John 21:7).

Baptism marks a new beginning. It is a spiritual reset and this brings us to the cross.

Jesus was crucified to pay the ultimate price for all humanity. His blood, shed on Calvary, is the symbol of redemption, the seal of forgiveness, and the establishment of a new covenant. “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace."  Ephesians 1:7, NKJV. It is through His sacrifice that humanity was offered reconciliation with God. Through Jesus, you are saved not just from your own sins, but from the spiritual debts of your lineage. By His blood, you are under a new covenant: “Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” Luke 22:20, NKJV. The old has gone; the new has come. Therefore, you do not need to offer any other sacrifice. You do not need to slaughter an animal to appease ancestors or fulfill traditions. You do not need to fear.

What you need is to be baptized and accept Jesus Christ and be made new, and to walk in obedience with God. As it is written, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams 1 Samuel 15:22, NKJV. Through faith in Christ, baptism, and a life of obedience, you can break the chains of the past and walk in the freedom of God’s new covenant.

When You Are The Fırst One To Take The Journey

When you embark on a journey that no one in your family has ever taken before, whether you're a firstborn or simply choosing a different direction, be prepared for challenges. Expect all eyes to be on you, as if facing an adversary determined to prevent your success. The Bible reminds us of this spiritual reality: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” Ephesians 6:12, NKJV. This verse underscores that the resistance you face is not merely human but spiritual, requiring divine strength to overcome.

Consider the experiences of firstborns throughout history; even in biblical times, some were killed, many faced immense trials, often seemingly to hinder them from achieving their destined purpose. The moment you decide to pursue something unprecedented in your family, you might be met with the discouraging phrase, “No one in our family has ever done that.” Creating something for the first time triggers a ripple effect, shaking both the physical and spiritual realms, often leading to discouragement or resistance. Yet, Scripture encourages us: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” Joshua 1:9, NKJV. God’s presence is your assurance as you step into the unknown.

Sometimes, this apprehension stems from a genuine fear of what might happen to you. While such worries can be valid, so too is the power of God. If your mind can conceive it, and your heart can believe it, then you can achieve it by God’s grace. As the Apostle Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Philippians 4:13,NKJV. However, be ready for the storms that will inevitably come because you have disrupted the physical and spiritual realms. In this walk to fulfill your purpose, you will face direct challenges, discouragement even from those you trusted, and betrayal from friends and family. There will be moments when you doubt your mission. But take heart, for Jesus promised, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” John 16:33, NKJV God doesn’t promise to remove the storms from your path, but He does promise to be with you every step of the way. He will be your pillar of strength and guide you toward achieving your dream. As David declared, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust” Psalm 18:2, NKJV. As long as your mission and the fulfillment of your purpose stem from a pure heart, God will be with you. Simply put on the full Armor of God, as described in Ephesians 6:13-17, and take the first step; the rest is in His hands. Remember, all creation is already complete. Whether you take a left or make a U-turn, He has already foreseen it. “Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them” Psalm 139:16, NKJV. Your role is to ask God to align His purpose with yours. Even if your purest heart believes in something that might not be God’s direct will for “the heart is deceitful above all things” Jeremiah 17:9, NKJV God will guide you to your true purpose along the way.

Drawing Strength from Others and Your Legacy

Find hope in those who have taken similar risks, individuals whose families or friends initially doubted them but were ultimately awed by their achievements. Do not be discouraged. Remember, that idea, that purpose pushing you, exists for a reason: the path you will take is not solely for you. Your future generations depend on you. “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children” Proverbs 13:22, NKJV. Your journey sets a foundation for those who come after you.

Think of how many people have brought their families from their hometowns to work with them abroad or in urban centers, places where they achieved the very purpose they were told they’d never reach. Every step you take, one of your children will follow. Every place you visit, one of your descendants will visit. Children are born into these new destinations. If you do not act on that compelling urge that has occupied your heart and thoughts, you will be preventing an entire generation from fulfilling their destiny.

Your Journey, Guided by God

So, get up and walk; you are not alone. God will guide you just like the cloud that led the Israelites from Egypt: “And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way” Exodus13:21, NKJV. He will be your rock and provide you with water, just as He did for the Israelites in the wilderness: “He split the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink in abundance like the depths” Psalm 78:15, NKJV. He will part the sea when trouble comes your way, just as He did when Pharaoh’s army pursued the Israelites at the Red Sea, and you will cross over unharmed: “And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground” Exodus 14:22, NKJV. When you are hungry, He will send manna your way: “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you’” Exodus 16:4, NKJV. And when you are depressed, facing more challenges and wanting to give up, God will send a raven to feed you, as He did for Elijah: “The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening” 1 Kings 17:6, NKJV, because He knows the task ahead. Whatever you do, remain pure in heart, keep praying along the way, and God will guide you into your destiny. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” Proverbs 3:5-6, NKJV.