The Holy Spirit can be sometimes be overlooked in the Christian life, says Dr. Jeremiah Johnston. “The Holy Spirit should not be the forgotten member of the Trinity,” he says, “There’s so much confusion when we bring up the topic of the Holy Spirit, and yet there shouldn’t be. The Holy Spirit is very clearly articulated in both the Old and New Testament.”
Johnston points to verses including Galations 5:16,“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh,” and Ephesians 6:18, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
“The Holy Spirit prays in us, for us and through us,” Johnston says. He works with our minds, and helps direct our steps and determine decisions in areas ranging from education to relationships.
“If you will ask the Holy Spirit to fill you, what can you expect?” Johnston asks. “He will strengthen you. He will immediately assist you in your prayer life and will give you discernment in your life. If you need more inner courage or fortitude, more spiritual stamina, we can persevere because of the Holy Spirit. He will lead you into truth, not confusion, and into holiness. You will know the will of God for your life. He will always give you hope.”
He advises taking a blank piece of paper, writing one’s name at the bottom, and asking God for directions. “Too often we want to see the will of God before making the decision to do it, but that attitude won’t work,” Johnston says. “We need to present ourselves to the Holy Spirit.”
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