The Gift of the Holy Spirit
Jesus once said, “It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” (John 16:7)
What an extraordinary statement. Jesus was telling His disciples that the Holy Spirit—the Helper—was coming, and that this was better than having Jesus physically present with them. Why? Because the Holy Spirit isn’t limited to time or space. He is present everywhere. He is powerful, supernatural, and near. Always.
The Bible describes the Holy Spirit in vivid terms: as a dove, as the wind, as fire. He is our Comforter, our Counselor, our Advocate. He convicts us, leads us, restrains us, reminds us, and teaches us.
Are You Aware God Is Teaching You?
Imagine someone walks up to you and asks, “What is the Lord teaching you right now?”
How would you answer?
For many, this question brings discomfort, not excitement. We fumble for answers. We deflect with sarcasm or clichés. We say things like, “He’s teaching me to rest” or joke, “He’s teaching me patience, but I wish He’d hurry up.”
But underneath that awkwardness is often the simple truth: we don’t actually know what God is teaching us—or if He’s teaching us at all.
That can change.
Right here. Right now.
Because the truth is, God is still in the teaching business.
God Is Teaching You Today
God is not standing idly by, hoping we “figure it out.” Like a good teacher, He is actively working in your life—every single day—to grow you, mature you, and shape you into the image of His Son.
In John 14:26, Jesus said:
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.”
Jesus had spent years teaching His disciples, but He promised that even after He left, His followers would still be taught—by the Holy Spirit. And this promise wasn’t just for the disciples in that upper room. The New Testament makes it clear: the Holy Spirit teaches all believers (see 1 Corinthians 2:6–16; Ephesians 1:15–23; 1 John 2:18–27).
So let that sink in: God wants to teach you. Personally. Purposefully.
What if, instead of seeking wisdom from worldly experts, we got excited about the fact that the God of the universe is offering to be our teacher?
How Does God Teach Us?
If the Holy Spirit is our teacher, how exactly does He teach us today?
1. Through His Word
The Bible isn’t just a collection of stories—it’s the breathed-out Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16). The Holy Spirit guided men to write every word, and He still uses those words to teach us today.
When you open the Bible, you’re opening the very mind and heart of God. Want to know what God is teaching you? Start with what He’s already written.
How to respond:
- Read the Bible daily. A verse, a chapter, a passage—just start.
- Ask two questions:
- What is God teaching me about Himself or myself?
- Is there a command I’m ignoring—either by doing wrong or failing to do right?
Before asking for a new sign, consider: have you obeyed what He’s already said?
2. Through His People
The Holy Spirit speaks through godly people in our lives—pastors, friends, spouses, mentors. He gives spiritual gifts, including teaching, to build up the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11–12).
Sometimes that teaching will encourage you. Sometimes it will convict you. Both are valuable.
Be open to correction. Be humble enough to invite feedback. And be discerning enough to compare what people say with the Word of God.
How to respond:
- Surround yourself with godly community.
- Invite feedback—genuinely.
- Evaluate feedback by asking:
- Does this align with Scripture?
- Is there truth here, even if it’s hard to hear?
If God can use a donkey to correct a prophet, He can use your spouse, your child, or your friend to do the same.
3. Through Your Experiences
Not all lessons come from books or conversations. Some come through life itself.
Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12 that a “thorn in the flesh” was given to him—not by Satan’s power, but under God’s sovereign hand—to teach him humility and dependence.
God teaches us through both our victories and our struggles. The key is being attentive.
How to respond:
- Regularly evaluate your life.
- Ask:
- Is there a pattern God is revealing?
- What is God trying to teach me through this season?
- Get perspective from godly counsel to help interpret your experiences.
Remember: experience is a great teacher, but only if we actually learn from it.
Don’t Just Be Taught—Be Transformed
Being exposed to God’s teaching isn’t the same as being changed by it.
The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control—does not appear simply because you heard a sermon or read a verse. These fruits grow in those who obey what the Spirit teaches.
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” —James 1:22
The Holy Spirit is speaking. The Word is alive. The church is teaching. Your life is full of lessons waiting to be learned.
The question is not, “Is God teaching me?” The question is, “Am I listening?”
A Prayer to Begin
As you reflect, consider making this your prayer:
“Holy Spirit, what are You teaching me right now? Open my eyes. Soften my heart. Help me to hear, to understand, and to obey.”
Don’t wait. Ask Him. Listen. And live accordingly.