The Holy Spirit's Ministry in the Life of the Believer

The Holy Spirit's Ministry in the Life of the Believer

Nathan Smalley June 17, 2026

Supporting Text: John 14:18, John 16:13–15, 2 Peter 1:21, John 14:26, Mark 13:11, 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 John 2:27, Hebrews 10:25, Proverbs 3:5–6, John 16:7–11, Philippians 1:6, 1 John 1:9, John 16:14, 1 John 4:1, John 16:13, Isaiah 46:10, Hebrews 11:7, Acts 13:2.

In the Greek, the word for "Comforter" is Paraklētos, which means advocate, helper, or comforter—the One called alongside another to help.

in the previous article "The Holy Spirit & Salvation" IIn the Greek, the word for "Comforter" is Paraklētos, which means advocate, helper, or comforter—the One called alongside another to help.

The Holy Spirit's Operation in the Life of the Believer

He Guides Us Into Truth

John 16 not only describes the role of the Holy Spirit in bringing us unto Christ but it also describes what He will do in our lives after accepting Christ. 

John 16:13 - When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

John 16:14 - He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

John 16:15 - All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

The first thing we are told is that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth and that He will guide us into all truth. That truth is the Word of God—the Scriptures—which He gave unto mankind (2 Pet. 1:21). Not only will He guide you through it, but He will also bring it to your remembrance (John 14:26).

Furthermore, Jesus, speaking of the persecution that would come, tells His disciples in Mark 13:11 that when they are delivered up, they should not be anxious about what they are to say. Rather, the Holy Spirit will give them the words to speak.

Now, I do not believe these verses mean that you never have to read the Bible because God will supernaturally give you everything you need. Throughout Scripture we find numerous admonitions to study and know God's Word (2 Tim. 2:15). As Christians, we should place ourselves before the Scriptures and seek to understand them.

The Holy Spirit gave us this Book, and He will guide us through it, bring it to our remembrance, and teach it to us (1 John 2:27).

Note: Part of that teaching comes not only through personal study but also through being part of a local church where the Holy Spirit uses pastors, teachers, and other ministries to instruct believers in the truth. Ensure that you do not forsake assembling together with other believers (Heb. 10:25).

As the Spirit of Truth reveals these things to us, we should yield to what He is showing us (Prov. 3:5–6).

Three Things

Following the promise that He will lead us into all truth, we encounter two additional things that the Holy Spirit will do. For simplicity, I am going to present these as three things that the Spirit speaks to believers about.

You (Jn. 16:7-11)

The first thing the Spirit will speak to you about is you.

If we back up in John 16 to verses 7–11, we see the subject of conviction that we discussed in the previous lesson. However, that work continues in the life of the believer.

Philippians 1:6 tells us:

"He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

Even though we are in Christ and have been justified, we are not yet perfect. We will still fail. This is evident in the Lord's Prayer, where Jesus teaches us to ask the Father for forgiveness and for help in overcoming temptation. Additionally, 1 John 1:9 tells us that when we fail, we should confess our sins unto Christ and receive His forgiveness.

The Holy Spirit will continue to convict us of sin and bring those things to our attention so that they may be cleansed and forgiven. When this happens—and it will happen—do not grieve the Holy Spirit through resistance. Instead, yield to Him, confess your sin, and be cleansed.

As we saw in Philippians 1:6, this is a work that will continue in us until the Lord returns and we receive our glorified bodies, which will no longer possess a sin nature.

Christ (Jn. 16:14)

The second thing the Spirit will speak to you about is Christ.

Jesus said:

"He will glorify Me, for He will take what is Mine and declare it to you." -- John 16:14

The Holy Spirit reveals Christ to us. Everything that He reveals ultimately glorifies Jesus.

Here I want to emphasize a word of caution. The Spirit will indeed speak to you, but you also have your own thoughts, and evil spirits can seek to influence you either directly or through others. For this reason, John tells us in 1 John 4:1 to test the spirits to determine whether they are from God.

What the Spirit speaks will always conform to the Word of God—the Scriptures He inspired. Both Scripture and the Spirit will always point us toward Christ and glorify Him.

Things to Come (Jn. 16:13)

Finally, the Spirit will speak to you about things to come.

In other words, He may reveal things concerning the future. This may occur in a corporate sense or in a personal sense. It may come through dreams, visions, direct impressions upon your spirit, or through bringing Scripture to your remembrance.

Throughout Scripture and church history, we find many examples of God revealing future events to His people. In fact, this is one of the ways God identifies Himself as God.

Isaiah 46:10 - declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, "My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose."

Additionally, this is something that the Spirit has spoken to me about personally as well.

Years ago, a great fear came upon me concerning my place of employment. During that season, the Spirit brought Hebrews 11:7 to my remembrance:

Hebrews 11:7 - By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

As that verse continued to weigh upon my heart, I felt the Spirit compel me to apply for another position. That was ultimately the position I ended up in. A few months later, I discovered that my former boss had been let go from that employer. When I asked him whether I would have been affected, he told me that I would have been let go as well.

In that situation, the Holy Spirit spoke to me, brought the Word to my remembrance, and, in yielding to Him, I entered into a season of blessing rather than difficulty. God is so good!

Conclusion

The Holy Spirit is active in our lives. He speaks to us through His Word, and He also speaks to our spirit (Acts 13:2; John 16:13).

Do not grieve Him. Open the Scriptures often. Ask the Spirit to speak, guide, and direct you.

There is so much more that the Holy Spirit desires to do in and through the life of the believer. That is what we will begin to explore next. He is calling us to be witnesses for Christ and to glorify Him, just as He glorifies Christ.

To do that, however, we must be completely immersed in Him.

Next time, we will discuss the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.