Scripture lists two groups of nine in connection with the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer:
- The nine fruit of the Spirit, which are a result of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling Presence.
- The nine gifts of the Spirit, which are a result of the Holy Spirit’s infilling power.
We will look here at the nine-fold manifestation of the fruit of the born-again human spirit that results from the Holy Spirit’s indwelling Presence.
GALATIANS 5:22–23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
The fruit Paul talks about here is the fruit of the recreated human spirit growing as a result of the life of the Holy Spirit within. We see an example of this in Luke chapter 24 before the Day of Pentecost—the day the disciples were “filled with the Holy Spirit.”
LUKE 24:51–52
51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.
52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.
Galatians 5:22 says joy is a fruit of the born-again human spirit. We see that the disciples had great joy, but they were not yet filled with the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the fruit of the spirit wasn’t a result of the baptism in the Holy Spirit, for the Day of Pentecost had not yet come.
This passage shows that the disciples already had one of the fruit of the spirit before they were endued with power from on High. In fact, they had great fruit because the Bible says they had great joy (v. 52).
As we yield to God and obey His Word, the Holy Spirit within us causes us to grow continually in love, joy, and peace, as well as in the other fruit of the spirit. One of the main purposes of the indwelling
The Holy Spirit is our Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby. We don’t need anything more than that.
Our Helper
We notice in John 14:16–18 (AMPC) that the Holy Spirit is our Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby. We don’t need anything more than that. But many believers have missed the reality of what the Holy Spirit came to do continually in us.
Too often when Christians need help, they try to find someone to pray for them. They cry on someone’s shoulder, shed a few “crocodile tears,” and quote a few scriptures. But when they are alone, they are still in the same mess. They forget they have a Helper inside them. They don’t have to pray for a Helper; they already have the Helper within.
Jesus said in John 16:7, “It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”
The Holy Spirit is our Guide: “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). The Holy Spirit will also guide us into the truth of God’s Word. Jesus said (speaking to God the Father), “Thy word is truth” (John 17:17).
The Holy Spirit will guide us in all the affairs of life. But no one can be guided, or led, without placing themselves in the hands of the Guide.
It is useless to pray, “Lord, guide me,” if we’re not going to follow the Guide. That is why many folks have gotten into such a mess. The Holy Spirit will guide us, but to be guided, we have to put ourselves into His hands.
When we have guidance, we are prepared ahead of time, for the Bible says the Holy Spirit will show us things to come (John 16:13). He will guide us into all truth and lead us in the affairs of life.
When I traveled on the evangelistic field, leaving my wife and small children at home, I depended upon my Guide, the Holy Spirit. He always warned me ahead of time of any family need. Many times I had no communication with my family, but I always knew by the Spirit of God when someone was sick.
The Holy Spirit didn’t help me because I am a preacher. He will help any believer. If we learn to listen and look to Him, He will guide us.
Looking Inward
In Jeremiah 31:33, God spoke of the New Covenant He would establish with His people. This verse gives us a clue as to how believers are to be guided under the New Covenant.
JEREMIAH 31:33
33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my Law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
This Old Covenant promise was fulfilled in the New Birth—in the recreation of man’s spirit.
2 CORINTHIANS 5:17
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Where does God make us a new creature? In our heart, or spirit, by the regeneration of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5).
God said He would put His law in our “inward parts”—in our spirit. It is by the Holy Spirit that God’s laws are written in our heart (2 Cor. 3:3).
Because the Holy Spirit lives in us, we can know what to do in every situation, for He is our Guide into all truth (John 16:13). We only have to look on the inside and check to see what the Holy Spirit is leading us to do (Rom. 8:14).
The Holy Spirit, our Helper, has made His home in us. All we could ever need Him to be for us, He is. He is our Comforter, Guide, Counselor, and Teacher. He is the Greater One Who puts us over in life.
If we are conscious of Him Who dwells within us and if we believe God’s Word, then no matter what or whom we face in life, we will have no fear. The Greater One Who lives in us is greater than he who is in the world. He will put us over in life!
[Editor’s Note: This article was adapted from Kenneth E. Hagin’s Bible study course The Holy Spirit and His Gifts.]
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Kenneth E. Hagin
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