DNOW: Lesson 2

 The Holy Spirit is very, very important to Christian life--not like anything else. He is sent to "...teach you all things..." (John 14:26)

If we are going to become a mature disciple of Jesus Christ we need to cultivate the skill of being lead by the Holy Spirit on a daily basis. "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God." (Romans 8:14)

Once He departed, Jesus promised that He would send the Holy Spirit (Comforter). He said, "It is expedient (advantageous) for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." (John 16:7) Think about what Jesus was saying. He was saying that it would be better for us to have the Spirit than it would be to have Jesus. Why? Because the Spirit lives within every believer, whereas Jesus is only one person and could only be at one place at the time.

At the moment a person becomes a Christian, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in that believer's life. "In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:13-14)

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for spirit is ruach, which means breath, wind, or God's Spirit. The "breath of God" is responsible for creating and sustaining all life--humans, animals, and plants. Without God's ruach, there would be no life.

God's ruach is also responsible for influencing and empowering people of the Old Testament such as Joseph when he interpreted Pharaoh's dreams; such as Bezalel when he used his skills "...to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts." (Exodus 31:1-5) Bezalel was the chief artisan of the Tabernacle and was in charge of building the Ark of the Covenant.

In the New Testament, the Greek word for Spirit is Pneuma. Paul mentions the Spirit (Pneuma) 149 times in his 13 letters. The Holy Spirit is responsible for many key events in the New Testament: Jesus' birth (Luke 1:35); Jesus' baptism (Mark 1:9-11); Jesus' resurrection (Romans 1:3-4); the appointment of the disciples (John 20:21-22), and many more.

There is a war constantly raging within every believer between the flesh and the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-17; Romans 8:6-8). We must choose to partner with the Spirit and stay in step with His leading. "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." (Galatians 5:25)

When we sense the Spirit leading, we must say "Yes!" It might be a gentle nudge to talk with someone, to pray for someone, to avoid someone, to turn the TV or radio off, to disconnect from social media for a period, or to simply be quiet and listen for God. "Be still and know that I am God." (Psalms 46:10)

When we sense the Spirit guiding us to do, or not do, something, we must obey. If we don't, we "quench" the work that God wants to do in our life that is designed to bring us closer to Him. "Do not quench the Spirit." (1 Thessalonians 5:19)

The Bible is the source of all Truth. The Holy Spirit was given to us to teach us and grow us in wisdom; to fulfill God's purpose and will for our lives; and to ultimately bring glory to Himself.

The next key discipline that must be a part of the disciple's life is PRAYER. We will review that topic next week.