The Holy Spirit is a much neglected member of the Godhead. As Christians, we often speak of the Father and the Son but make no mention of the Spirit. We sometimes forget what an important part the Spirit plays in God’s scheme of redemption. So, this week our focus will on the Holy Spirit.

Maybe we do not think of the Spirit the same way we do of the Father and the Son because we fail to remember that He is a person just like they are. There are many who teach that the Spirit is less than a person. Jehovah’s Witnesses, for example, teach that the Spirit is simply the active force of God. Others think He is nothing more than some kind of fog-like substance that permeates the universe. These views of the Holy Spirit are disrespectful to Him because He is much more than a force or a fog; He is a real person.

What is a person? Webster’s Dictionary says that a person is “a being characterized by conscious apprehension, rationality, and moral sense.” The American College Encyclopedic Dictionary tells us that a person is “a self-conscious or rational being; an individual of distinction or importance.” The Spirit fits these definitions of a person because that is exactly what He is. He is a being characterized by consciousness, rationality, and individual distinctiveness. It is no wonder that the Bible always uses personal pronouns when referring to Him. The Spirit is not referred to as “it,” but as “Him” and “He,” precisely because He is a person.

Think about what the Spirit is said to do. He hears (John 16:13), speaks (1 Timothy 4:1), commands (Acts 13:2), teaches (John 14:26), delivers law (Romans 8:2), gives life (Galatians 6:8), and glorifies (John 16:14). Furthermore, think about what can be done to Him. He can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30) and vexed (Isaiah 63:10), and even lied to (Acts 5:3). Do you think an active force can be grieved? Do you think it is possible to lie to a lifeless fog floating around the universe? Of course not. The Spirit has the attributes of a person because He is a person.

When you think of the Holy Spirit, do not think of an “it.” Instead, think of a person with feelings and desires, wants, and wishes, just like any other person. Think about how you treat Him. Do you show the Spirit the respect He deserves as a member of the Godhead? In our next blog, I will prove that the Spirit is not just a person; He is a divine person. All the respect you give to the Father and the Son, you should be giving to the Holy Spirit as well.

How often do you grieve the Holy Spirit? Just like it disappoints the other members of the God-head when you sin, it disappoints the Spirit as well. If you ever gossip, the Holy Spirit is saddened by your action. If you ever forsake any of the assemblings of the saints, you are grieving the Holy Spirit. Whenever you disobey a command of God, revealed to you by the Holy Spirit, you are bringing anguish to Him.

Let us make sure we revere the Spirit in the same way we do the Father and the Son. We should mention the Spirit more often when we pray, or when we are giving praise to God. When we are honoring God, we often refer specifically to the Father or the Son. Why not do the same thing with the Spirit. When is the last time you praised the Spirit or thanked Him for sanctifying you? Surely, we can all do better in this area. I pray that we will.

As you wind down for the night, think on these things.