Accessing the Power of the Holy Spirit
It has become deeply concerning, as we approach the end of days, and the powers of darkness are manifesting in ways never seen before, that many have lost their power and will to resist the Devil. I pray that this post will encourage you to once again make the seeking of the Holy Spirit your number one priority.
Power is defined as:
The ability to act effectively.
The capacity to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events.
These two definitions accurately describe the power of the Holy Spirit. It is the power of God; the ability to act and influence is infinite, unlimited, and eternal. In this way, the power of the Holy Spirit is different from any other kind of power.
The Spirit's power was first seen acting effectively in the act of creation, for it was by His power the world came into being.
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” Genesis 1:1–2
“By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.” Job 26:13
“But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. Acts 7:55-56
Not only was the Spirit's power effective, but it was also more effective than anything known before or since. The power in creation was unique in that it produced everything from nothing. This raw, incomparable power could only belong to God, the Creator. The Spirit's creative power is seen in His creating new life in believers, producing spiritually alive beings out of those who were once dead in sin.
“That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” John 3:6
“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:” Ephesians 2:1–2
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” Titus 3:5
To this day, the salvation of souls is a supernatural work only made possible by the Holy Spirit's power as He turns men from darkness to light.
The power to influence the behavior of others is demonstrated throughout events seen in the Bible, as the Holy Spirit empowered men to bring about God's will and foreordained plans. The Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power, enabling him to do wonderful things, sometimes under great hardship and persecution.
“Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.” 1 Samuel 16:13
Although the Spirit did not permanently indwell God's people in the Old Testament, He worked through them and gave them the power to achieve things they would not have been able to accomplish on their own. All of Samson's feats of strength, for example, are directly attributed to the Spirit coming upon him.
“And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.” Judges 14:6
“And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father's house.” Judges 14:19
“And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands.” Judges 15:14
The power of the Holy Spirit enabled the disciples of Christ to turn the world upside down with the powerful preaching of the gospel. They could not have accomplished this in their power. Jesus promised that the Spirit would come, live within them, and miraculously empower them.
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8
The disciples, who had been in hiding from the Romans after the crucifixion, became filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit's power was made manifest to a great number of people that day, resulting in the conversion of about 3,000.
“And all that believed were together, and had all things common;” Act 2:44
The day of Pentecost was the beginning of the indwelling power of the Spirit living within those He saves.
“Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” John 14:17
“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2:1–4
Stephen, the martyr, is a perfect example of the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit. Stephen was filled with faith and the power of the Spirit and did many wonders and signs before the people, who were unable to resist the power of the Spirit in him.
“And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.” Acts 6:5, 8,10
When he was falsely accused and put to death, the same power enabled Stephen to die with faith and glorify God to the end.
“But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.” Acts 7:55-56
The Apostle Paul gave all the credit and glory to the Spirit, whose power enabled his message to pierce the hearts of sinful men and bring them to salvation. He knew it was not his apologetics, hermeneutics, or persuasive ability that brought people to Christ:
“And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:4–5
The power of the Holy Spirit to influence people and change the course of events is also seen in the early church through the dispensation of spiritual gifts such as speaking in tongues, prophesying, teaching, wisdom, and more.
“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” 1 Corinthians 12:7–11
The Holy Spirit still works in the world today, accomplishing God's will through believers. His power leads us, convicts us, teaches us, and equips us to do His work and spread the gospel. He also works in unbelievers who are not able to resist His power to bring about God's plans and purposes.
It is my sincere prayer that this generation would seek with all their will the full experience of the Holy Spirit. In these last days, I believe that the heights and depths of the moving of the Holy Spirit will cause prior events to seem minuscule in comparison. Who will the Father use to tap into this great awakening, which of you are willing to seek with all diligence and sincerity this profound power?
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.” Jeremiah 29:11-14