145. Who Is the Holy Spirit? Understanding His Role in the Life of a Believer

Have you ever wondered who the Holy Spirit really is? Many believers find the third person of the Trinity mysterious, abstract, or even confusing. Is He merely a force, a feeling, or something else entirely?

In this illuminating episode of the Radiant Mission Podcast, we unpack the true identity of the Holy Spirit straight from Scripture. We establish the fundamental truth that the Holy Spirit is God Himself—not an "it," not a junior version of God, and certainly not just an emotional experience. As the third person of the Trinity, He possesses a divine will, emotions, and the ability to speak, teach, and transform lives from the inside out.

We explore the profound reality that when you accept Christ, your body becomes a temple where God Himself chooses to dwell. This isn't just a theological concept but a life-changing truth that affects every aspect of your faith journey. You'll discover the difference between having the Spirit and walking with Him, and why Jesus said it was actually better for Him to leave so the Helper could come.

The conversation takes a practical turn as we discuss spiritual warfare and answer tough questions like whether a believer can have the Holy Spirit yet still be influenced by demonic forces. We clarify the distinction between the Holy Spirit who brings freedom, truth, and peace, versus other spirits that seek to manipulate, deceive, and oppress.

Whether you've been a believer for decades or are just beginning to explore faith, this episode will help you recognize the voice of the Spirit, understand His empowering presence, and experience the fruit He produces in surrendered hearts. The Holy Spirit isn't a mysterious force to fear but a divine gift to welcome. Ask Him to fill you today and watch as He transforms your relationship with God and others.

Chapters

• 0:32 Introduction to the Holy Spirit
• 1:33 The Holy Spirit is God
• 2:55 Dwelling Within Believers
• 4:37 Helper, Teacher and Empowerer
• 7:20 The Nature of Spirit
• 8:31 Spiritual Warfare and Protection
• 11:06 Closing Reflections and Questions

Transcript

Rebecca Twomey: 0:32

Welcome to the Radiant Mission Podcast. My name is Rebecca Twomey and we have been in a series called Coffee Talk where we have been digging into big spiritual truths with an open Bible and an open heart. Today's question might be the most mysterious yet who is the Holy Spirit? For many, the Holy Spirit might feel abstract or even confusing. Is he a force? Is he a feeling? Is he a helper? Is he a ghost? In this episode, we're going to explore who the Holy Spirit really is and what the Bible says about his identity, his role in our lives and why knowing him changes everything. So let's dive in First.

Rebecca Twomey: 1:33

The Holy Spirit is God. We're going to start here. The Holy Spirit is not an it okay. He is a person and he is God. He's not a junior version of God. He's not a spiritual energy or an emotional experience. He is the third person of the Trinity. He is co-equal with God the Father and God the Son because he is God.

Rebecca Twomey: 2:08

In Acts 5, 3-4, when Ananias lied about his offering, peter said you have lied to the Holy Spirit. You have not just lied to human beings, but to God. This verse equates the Holy Spirit with God. He has a will, he has emotions, he can be grieved, he speaks, he teaches, he empowers. The Holy Spirit isn't an optional extra in Christianity. He is God himself dwelling within us. So let's talk a bit about how the Holy Spirit dwells within believers. When you put your faith in Jesus, you're filled with the Holy Spirit. He comes to live inside of you, to guide you, to transform you and to empower you.

Rebecca Twomey: 3:10

In 1 Corinthians 6.19, we are told do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? That's mind-blowing, because God is choosing to dwell in us. It's not just a visit Abide, he is abiding in us. But here's the thing it is possible to have the Holy Spirit yet to walk in the flesh. That's why scripture repeatedly urges us to walk by the Spirit and not grieve him. In Galatians 5.16,. Walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Gratify the desires of the flesh In Ephesians 4.30,. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you are sealed for the day of redemption. To grieve the Holy Spirit means to sadden him, to resist his work in your life. It's like ignoring his nudges, dismissing his conviction. His nudges dismissing his conviction, choosing your own way instead of his. The Holy Spirit will never force himself on you. He's always speaking and always guiding, but it's up to us to respond. Which leads us to?

Rebecca Twomey: 4:37

The Holy Spirit is our helper and our teacher. Jesus said it was actually better for him to leave because he would send the Holy Spirit. In John 14, 26, we're told. 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. The word helper here in this verse is parakletos in Greek, and it means advocate, comforter, one who comes alongside. So the Holy Spirit teaches us, he comforts us, he convicts us of sin and he leads us into truth. You never have to figure it all out alone, because the Holy Spirit is your personal guide.

Rebecca Twomey: 5:25

Now, something particularly awesome is that the Holy Spirit empowers us for ministry. So the disciples had walked with Jesus for three years. Us for ministry. So the disciples had walked with Jesus for three years, but Jesus told them not to do anything until they received the Holy Spirit In Acts 1.8,. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses. This is a really strong reminder, you guys, that the Holy Spirit gives us power. He gives us gifts of wisdom, healing, discernment, prophecy and, of course, much more than that. Refer to 1 Corinthians 12 for more. He also gives us boldness, the kind that Peter had when he preached and 3,000 people came to Christ. So you don't have to operate in your own strength. God empowers you with his spirit to do what he's called you to do. Which then leads me to the Holy Spirit producing fruit in our lives. As we walk with the Holy Spirit, he begins to shape our character. It's not just about spiritual gifts, it's about spiritual fruit Galatians 5, 22 through 23,. But the fruit of the spirit is a love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Those aren't things that we manufacture on our own. They are the natural result of staying connected to the Spirit. The more time we spend with Him, the more time our lives reflect His presence.

Rebecca Twomey: 7:10

So let's talk about a burning question that's probably on your mind and has been since I've been talking about the Holy Spirit, and that is the nature of the Holy Spirit. What even is a spirit? In scripture, a spirit refers to a non-physical being or force, one that exists in the spiritual realm and influences the physical world. So when we say Holy Spirit, we're talking about God's own spirit, the divine, eternal, uncreated presence of God that moves, speaks, leads and empowers. This is very different from other spirits, which are often described as unclean, deceptive or demonic. The Holy Spirit is the only spirit that is perfectly holy, righteous and in total alignment with the will of God. Other spirits may masquerade as good, but their fruit reveals their source, and while other spirits seek to manipulate, deceive or oppress, the Holy Spirit brings freedom, truth and peace to very, very distinctly different things.

Rebecca Twomey: 8:27

So let's talk a little bit about the Holy Spirit and spiritual warfare. Because we live in a spiritual world. There is constant warfare happening around us, a battle between light and darkness. This is why having the Holy Spirit is essential. He helps us discern truth from lies, resist temptation and stand firm against spiritual attack. In Ephesians 6.12, we are told, for our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. We have explored this topic quite a bit on this podcast. So if you want to dive a little bit deeper into spiritual warfare or demons and are they real, check out episodes 139 and then all the way back to episodes three through six. That was our first ever deep dive into spiritual warfare. If you haven't heard those episodes yet, they are worth the listen, and we also are going to be talking a little bit more about some of this in some future episodes, so stay tuned.

Rebecca Twomey: 9:40

Another big question that's often asked is can a believer have the Holy Spirit and still be influenced by demons? And this is a really important question and often misunderstood question, and often misunderstood. If you have been born again, then you have the Holy Spirit. You cannot be possessed by demons because you belong to God and his spirit dwells in you. 1 John 4, 4,. Who is in you is greater than he is in the world. But can a believer be influenced or oppressed? And the answer to that is yes, especially if we're not walking closely with the Lord.

Rebecca Twomey: 10:20

When we tolerate sin, we believe lies or we open spiritual doors through things like unforgiveness, cult practices or habitual rebellion, we are giving the enemy a foothold. The Holy Spirit may still be present, but if we ignore him, we grieve him and we allow other spirits to influence our thoughts, emotions and actions. And that is why scripture urges us to be sober-minded, why scripture urges us to be sober minded, take every thought captive, walk in obedience and be filled continually with the spirit. So, as we close with today's conversation on who is the Holy Spirit, he is God dwelling in us. He is our helper, he is our comforter, our teacher and our empowerer, and he is the force of truth and light in a world full of deception. He wants to be active in your life, not just in theory, but in experience Romans 8, 11. And if the spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his spirit who lives in you.

Rebecca Twomey: 11:43

Some reflection questions as we close today Am I walking by the spirit or by my flesh? By the Spirit or by my flesh? Have I been grieving the Holy Spirit by ignoring His voice? Where do I need His power, guidance or comfort in my life right now? Do I see the fruit of the Spirit growing in me or have I plateaued? The Holy Spirit is not a force to be feared, but a gift to be welcomed, you guys. So ask him to fill you today.

Rebecca Twomey: 12:16

And if this episode was helpful or gave you clarity, please share it with a friend. You never know who might need the reminder that God is not far away, that he is within reach. Thank you so much for being on this journey. If you would like to stay connected outside the podcast, you can find us on Instagram at the Radiant Mission, on Facebook at the Radiant Mission Podcast, and you can also watch this in video format on YouTube by searching for my name, rebecca Toomey, and that's spelled T-W-O-M-E-Y. Today, I'm going to leave you with 2 Timothy 1 14. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you. Guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us, wishing you a radiant week and I'll see you next time. Bye everyone.