What is the Spirit of God, and how can I receive it?
Read Dave’s answer
Answer 1
The Spirit of God, also known as the Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit, or just the Spirit, is common to most religious traditions - but is especially important to Christianity. It is the third part of the Trinity, also known as the Godhead, consisting of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
The importance of the Spirit of God was emphasized by Jesus when he said in John 3: "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
In my personal experience, confirmed by the experience of many others, the Spirit manifests itself in at least two distinct ways:
- A powerful "baptism of fire" that is instantly recognizable - an overwhelming and consuming fire in ones being that is a transcendent spiritual experience of peace, joy, and knowledge.
- a "still, small voice" that speaks in the language of our spirit, that is heard with ones mind and heart rather than with ones ears. This is sometimes called a prompting, or a "gut feel,"
Although manifestation 1) is unmistakable, it can be a lifetime pursuit to recognize the Spirit in 2) and distinguish it from ones personal desires or other influences.
Some (including me) believe that pursuit is one of the central purposes of life, lending meaning and leading to outcomes consistent with God's will for the happiness of his children.
So how to feel the Spirit and pray with the Spirit?
Jesus said: "The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can't tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can't explain how people are born of the Spirit."
That doesn't mean, however, that Jesus doesn't share how to pray with the Spirit. Some relevant scripture that will help you get the Spirit:
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled [with the Holy Spirit]."
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."
"Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you."
"Wherefore, now after I have spoken these words, if ye cannot understand them it will be because ye ask not, neither do ye knock; wherefore, ye are not brought into the light, but must perish in the dark. For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do."
"And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.
And whatsoever thing is good is just and true; wherefore, nothing that is good denieth the Christ, but acknowledgeth that he is. And ye may know that he is, by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore I would exhort you that ye deny not the power of God; for he worketh by power, according to the faith of the children of men, the same today and tomorrow, and forever."