In many Christian circles the Holy Spirit is either neglected, forgotten, or misunderstood. The One given to unite the body of Christ is often the center of controversy. Some overemphasize the Holy Spirit to the extent of deviating from Bible truth. Other Christians relegate Him to a place of little importance. When is the last time you heard a sermon just about the Holy Spirit, or even the Trinity? The late Dr. A. W. Tozer, author and pastor, said, “If the Holy Spirit was withdrawn from the church today, 95 percent of what we do would go on and no one would know the difference. If the Holy spirit had been withdrawn from the New Testament church, 95 percent of what they did would stop, and everybody would know the difference.” We don’t want to be part of the ones who ignore Him, but neither do we want to be among those teaching false doctrine. It can be a hard balance to maintain. This is a first in a series of blogs to focus on the Person and work of the Holy Spirit. My purpose is to correct error while also encouraging true understanding and appreciation of all He does for us.
Without a doubt the Holy Spirit has been the most misunderstood member of the Triune Godhead. Throughout the centuries, the Holy Spirit’s ministry, nature, and even deity has been questioned and speculated over. Theologians and commentators from every denomination have written volumes of books declaring who the Holy Spirit is and trying to ascertain His moving and operations within the body of Christ. Yet, because our knowledge is incomplete, so will be our explanations, because God has chosen to keep some things to Himself. But there are enough truths He has revealed to let us know what we need to about the Holy Spirit.
Explaining the Holy Spirit is like trying to draw a picture of the soul, or weighing a thought, or explaining an emotion. It can’t be accurately described by words. They fall far short. It’s like the sun. We can’t look at the sun, for we aren’t equipped for it. But we can experience the benefits of the sun’s rays. The same is true of the Spirit. We can’t see Him, but we can experience His blessings in our lives. We may not be able to explain the working of the Holy Spirit, but we can experience the Spirit’s power in our own life and ministry.
Not only does He physically keep from being seen, but He does that spiritually as well. The Spirit is mentioned 90 times in the Old Testament and 261 in the New. However, Jesus is mentioned 8 times as often because He is the focus of God’s plan of Redemption. The purpose of the Spirit is to focus on Jesus and bring glory to Him (John 16:13-14; Galatians 5:22–23; Romans 8:13–14). He does not focus on Himself or bring worship to Himself. Yet some today elevate the Holy Spirit above God and Jesus, focusing on the Spirit and worshipping Him more than the others. They have developed a cult-like focus on the Spirit, when that is not His role at all.
Jesus described the Spirit as a wind (John 3:7-8). In fact, the Greek word “Spirit” comes from the same root as “wind” – Pneuma (as in pneumonia and pneumatic, both having to do with air/wind). The old translation, “Holy Ghost” has added to the misunderstanding through the years. There is a strong similarity between the Spirit and the wind. You can’t see the wind but you can feel the results of its work. It is unpredictable, exists everywhere, is continually in motion and can’t be controlled by man, yet He is essential to our spiritual life (John 20:21-22; Acts 2:20). We cannot see Him but we can know Him by what He does. When we are filled with the Spirit others can’t see the Spirit in us, but they can see the results of what the Spirit does. Purpose of the Holy Spirit is to make Christlike (John 16:13–14; Galatians 5:22–23; Romans 8:13–14
John 3:5-8 Jesus said: “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So, it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
Can others see the Spirit working through you?
What results of the Spirit are evident in your life?
Think of someone who clearly shows evidence of God’s Spirit working in them. What can you learn from them?
What can you do to better allow God’s Spirit to blow through your life, leaving evidence for others of His presence and work?
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India, Africa & Spanish Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
Copyright © 2026