What or Who Is the Holy Spirit?

            Jesus Christ is Risen!  
              And He will return!

           Last week I expressed my struggle with the concept of the Holy Spirit.   I received some wonderful answers from readers, discussed the subject with others I know, and did some further reading.  I discovered what I think is the biggest part of the complexity of the question:  We are the problem.   Jesus told us that he would be leaving us with the Holy Spirit to help us  (JOHN 14:16-18, JOHN 16:7, JOHN 15:26)

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
Romans 8:26-27 (NIV)

          The Holy Spirit has been sent to us by Jesus Christ to help us when we need help.  The Holy Spirit can provide us with answers and give us strength.  The Holy Spirit is our direct line to God the Father. Why are we the problem?  We are in this world and we are small.  It is difficult to grasp completely the nature of the God in Three Persons, or the Trinity, and yet the concept becomes so simple once we accept and live in faith.  As humans we are limited by language, thought, and experience while God is limitless.  There are things about God that we cannot yet understand.

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
Ephesians 5:15-18 (NIV)

          There is irony to language and words. What we say and what others hear are often very different.  Words confine us and attempt to put thoughts into a nice neat little box.  For example, the word "spirit" can mean many things both good and bad.  We must gain wisdom and live filled with the Spirit, as in the Holy Spirit that is of God.   Ironically, in the English language a distilled alcoholic beverage which is 20% or more alcoholic content is also called spirits.  Just think for a moment of all of the different connotations and definitions we find in the word "spirit".  Clarity of mind is so important and we focus on God and become filled with his Holy Spirit we will gain wisdom and begin to see so much more clearly.

All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
1 Corinthians 12:11 (NIV)

        There are many verses in the Bible that talk about the Spirit.  I have only offered some snippets of verse in today's study.  I would encourage to look in your Bible and examine these verses in context in order gain more understanding of what is being referred to when I cite them.  Our individual gifts--the ones we would refer to as spiritual gifts--are manifestations of the Holy Spirit through the vessels which are us.  Our individual gifts have been determined by God, but it is up to us to look within ourselves through the guidance of the Spirit to discover these gifts.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Ephesians 4:30 (NIV)

        The Holy Spirit is a part of the One God.   The Holy Spirit is a person of the Holy Trinity and can feel grief if we do not obey God and live according to the standards that God requires of us.  If you are a parent you can surely understand how you feel when your child defies your rules and boundaries and lets you down.  Remember, you are one of God's children.

         I have fallen far short of explaining the Holy Spirit adequately and I don't know that I could.  If you truly want to know this Spirit more, then study the above verses in the context of the chapters and even the books. Study, meditation, and prayer are so important in gaining greater wisdom, but don't be discouraged if you can't find all of the answers.  This is a topic that is so much bigger than you or me.