HOLY SPIRIT BENEFITS
The great promise of God is His gift for us; it is His Holy Spirit. “The Holy Spirit of promise…the first installment of our inheritance,” (Eph. 1:13-14 NASB). Jesus said to His disciples, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised” (Acts 1:4). Peter preached, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off – for all whom the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:38-39). The Holy Spirit is for everyone the Lord calls, no matter how far off they are. When we discover the benefits of the Holy Spirit, we realize that He is all we need. Our task is learning to receive.
ReCEIVING THE BENEFITS
They seem so simple, but the three benefits of the Holy Spirit are all encompassing. The Holy Spirit will provide uncommon comfort, the wisdom from above, and miraculous power. While these supernatural blessings are available to every believer, they are not everyone’s experience. Many Christians battle with fear and anxiety, many fall short as they rely on their own human reasoning, and still others never experience miracles in their lives.
They are like the grand owners of a wealthy castle who only and always live in the servant’s quarters. They use the servant’s entrance, eat the same food as the groundkeepers, and many have never even ventured into the majestic halls of history and power that belong to them. They have heard that they are King’s kids but they don’t live like it.
Others, I am glad to say, have stepped out in faith, called upon the Lord for comfort in times of trial and trauma, waited on the Lord until they received the wisdom from above, and prayed with great faith for miracles. In each situation they have experienced supernatural results. They have the peace that passes understanding, they receive clear direction, and possess joyful testimonies of miracles. They have discovered that in and through the gift of the Holy Spirit, they have all they need.
The first benefit of the Holy Spirit is comfort. It often begins at the very moment a person gives their life to Christ and becomes a born-again Christian. The load of sin is lifted and God’s unexplainable peace comes to a weary soul. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things,” (Jn. 14:26 KJV).
Every human being will experience trauma at some time. Recently, Hurricane Helene tore through the mountains of North Carolina leaving death and destruction in its path. Several teams from our church went with supplies and willing workers to help. They discovered that the damage was catastrophic. Many people had lost family members and homes and even entire towns were washed away. The pain of loss has been unbearable for so many people.
Trauma like this can happen in times of war, plague, and extreme accidents, but terrible pain can also come through things like family and relational break-ups, job loss, economic collapse, and life threatening cancers and other diseases. Because of such traumas, many people lose hope or motivation to do anything, and even lose their desire to live. Time and time again, however, I see evidence of miracles that come to those who put their trust in Christ. In the darkest moments they call out to God and receive amazing comfort, even in the middle of the devastating storms of life. I know it is a miracle from God when the comfort of the Holy Spirit is greater than all of our pain.
The second benefit of the Holy Spirit is the wisdom that comes from above. We have already learned that the Holy Spirit will teach us all things (Jn. 14:26, Heb. 8:10, 1Jn. 2:27). The Holy Spirit is our teacher. If we wait on Him and acknowledge Him in all our ways, He will direct our paths and give us wisdom. “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” (Js. 3:17).
Notice that wisdom from God is much more than knowledge or even understanding. We discover in the verse above that wisdom has to do with the way we live. I think of Miriam who was just 10 years old when she was watching over her newborn brother Moses. He had been scheduled for death and his mother hid him among the reeds in the river and instructed Miriam to watch over him. When Pharaoh’s daughter discovered the child and decided to keep him, Miriam stepped forward with some wisdom from above. She told the princess that she knew of a Hebrew mother that could nurse and keep the baby for her. For the next 5 years Moses was raised by his own mother and being paid to do so with money from the palace.
Godly wisdom is needed for every step we take in life. Even Shakespeare said (and I paraphrase), “There is a tide which when taken at the flood, leads a man to fortune.” In other words, there is a right moment to step out and make a bold decision. When you do it at the correct moment, it leads to fortune and blessing. The opposite is also true. Making the wrong decision at the wrong time can lead to disaster. God knows who you should marry, where you should live, and where you should work. If you ask the Lord for guidance and wait on the Holy Spirit for answers, you will discover the wisdom from about. That is God’s promise to you.
The third benefit from the Holy Spirit is supernatural power and miraculous answers to prayer. “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). This power is mentioned several time and seen in the lives of the early apostles. Today, we continue to see miracles, healings, and supernatural signs and wonders. “And these signs will accompany those who believe…they will place their hands on sick people and they will get well” (Mk.16:18).
Comfort, wisdom, and power are available. God wants us to press in to know Him and walk intimately with Him. Through worship, prayer, acts of obedience, proclamations, thanksgiving, and the exercise of faith, we receive the benefits of the Holy Spirit. “If you then…know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him” (Lk. 11:13)!
We pray our monthly teaching
devotional empowers & inspires you
to live a supernatural Christian life.
DR. PETER WYNS
Founder & President
Christian for Messiah Ministries
Pastor at Antioch International Church
Instructions in Righteousness is produced by “Christians for Messiah Ministries” (CFM). Dr. Peter Wyns is the President of CFM and the Head Pastor of Antioch International Church. He has served as a pastor for 54 years and ministered in more than 45 nations.
Leave a Reply