There is nothing quite like an encounter with the Presence of God. His holiness, love, conviction, and healing can often melt our hearts and cause us to fall in love with Jesus all over again. As Spirit-filled believers we are trained to pursue the Presence of God as a lifestyle, and this is something that does hold tremendous value. At the same time it can lead to a very shallow relationship with God if we fail to emphasize one very important thing. The Holy Spirit is a Personal Presence, not just a Presence only. Allow me to elaborate.

Let’s begin with this question: what is it that makes you a person rather than just a thing? The answer is simple, people have personality. Personality is made up of  3 components: Mind, Will, and Emotions. We use our mind to think, we use our will to choose, and we use our emotions to feel. In the same way the Holy Spirit possesses a mind, will, and emotions. This is how we can know that He is more than just a presence. As a matter of fact the reason the Holy Spirit has a Presence is because He IS a Person! He is God!

1 Corinthians 2:10-11- “10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.”

Here we find the Apostle Paul teaching on the intellect of the Holy Spirit. That is, the Holy Spirit knows the things of God. He has a mind. This revelation has a very powerful implication for our prayer life. When we talk to the Holy Spirit He is able to reveal things to us that are the very mind of God. When we pray, the Holy Spirit not only wants to soothe and comfort us with His manifest Presence but also transmit to us information that is on His mind.

1 Corinthians 12:11- “All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.”

In this passage the Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit has a will. This also has an important function in our mode of communication with the Holy Spirit. We can discern the will of the Holy Spirit when we speak with Him. Often He will bring scripture to your mind, or whisper something to you that truly pierces your heart. The Holy Spirit will give you direction when you ask Him!

Ephesians 4:30- “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”

This is one of many instances in the Bible that reveals the emotions of the Holy Spirit. The emotional component of the Lord is often the one we engage with the most, this is the aspect of God that we feel. I think it’s important to understand that having emotions is something that we possess which reflects the very nature of God. The issue we can run into with emotions is when they become “unsanctified.” God wants us to have our emotional realm sanctified by His Presence. This happens when we let God’s emotions engage with our emotions. Talk with the Holy Spirit about how you are feeling, He has emotions just like you and knows exactly how to minister to your needs perfectly.

Understanding the Personhood of the Holy Spirit empowers us to engage with Him more effectively in prayer. When you pray, ask God what’s on His mind, ask Him to reveal His will, and ask Him to let you feel His heart. When we do this, we are treating the Holy Spirit with the reverence that He is due as an equal Person of the Triune God.

Prayer for Today: Holy Spirit thank you for giving me access to your Personal Presence through the blood of Jesus Christ. As I go throughout my day, I ask you to whisper to me what’s on Your mind. Bring scripture to my mind that will help me to think in alignment with Your thoughts. Show me Your will for this season of my life. Fill me with power to throw off the sin that so easily entangles me and to run in Your direction with perseverance. Finally, I pray for you to pour out what’s on Your heart into my heart. Conform me to be more like Jesus Christ. Take from what is on the heart of Christ and put it into this heart of mine. In Jesus name, amen.