My Internal Compass: The Holy Spirit
Life Lesson 23: The Holy Spirit is my source of comfort, peace, and joy. I like to think of the Holy Spirit as my Internal Compass. He leads and guides my life according to the truth of God’s Word.
“Jesus said to his disciples: If you love me, you will do as I command. Then I will ask the Father to send you the Holy Spirit who will help you and always be with you. The Spirit will show you what is true. The people of this world cannot accept the Spirit, because they don’t see or know him. But you know the Spirit, who is with you and will keep on living in you.”
Most automobiles nowadays come equipped with a Global Positioning System (GPS). This automotive navigation system allows a driver to find direction. With the help of satellite data, this device communicates with the vehicle’s position on the road. It calculates drive time, alerts the driver of any accident, construction or potential delays, and suggests alternate route.
In the same way, the Holy Spirit is a believer’s internal GPS. But unlike a vehicle’s navigation system, the Holy Spirit is always dependable, incomparable, and is the only reliable source to accurately and perfectly guide you to your final destination.
Every person who receives Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is sealed with the promise of the Holy Spirit. In other words, when we accept Jesus into our hearts and lives, our salvation is secure in Him, and the Holy Spirit is the sure guide to our inheritance in the Kingdom of God (Ephesians 1:13:14).
The Holy Spirit
So, who is the Holy Spirit? The Bible has a lot to say about Him. In Acts 5:3-5 for instance, we learn that the Holy Spirit is God. He is the third person of the Trinity and was very much a part of creation (Genesis 1:2). In his observation of John 14:16-18, Dr. Charles Stanley of In Touch Ministries noted that:
The Holy Spirit is a person–not simply a power or a force–and He, along with the other two members of the Trinity, was involved in creation. Because of the crucifixion, today the Spirit is our leader, guide, teacher, and comforter. His presence in us means that we are God’s children and that God has upheld His promise to always be with us.
Scripture also teaches us that the Holy Spirit transforms all believers to a new way of life that functions as one body of believers in Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). The Holy Spirit is not just involved in transforming us into the likeness of Christ, He is also our Counselor and Intercessor. In John 14:26 we see where Jesus tells His disciples that when He returns to heaven the Father would send the Holy Spirit to be with them.
The Holy Spirit represents and testifies about Jesus. The Holy Spirit also helps us to recall Scriptures, and He guides us into all truths by setting our hearts and minds on Christ.
But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
Holy Spirit, the Advocate
As the Advocate of Christ, the Holy Spirit is here to help navigate the uncertainties of life. He intercedes on our behalf and is ever present in our problems. He prays for us. 
I don’t know about you, but I am so grateful for the Holy Spirit and how He interacts in my life. I can’t see life clearly without the Spirit of God living in and through me. In Romans 8:27 we are also told that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us in prayer.
And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.
When we pray from the heart, the Spirit appeals to God on our behalf. Since the Spirit searches the heart and knows the thoughts and intentions of the heart, He can translate our prayers and appeal to God according to His will. Sometimes when I am overwhelmed and life doesn’t make sense, it’s hard for me to know what and even how to pray. This is where the Holy Spirit comes in and searches my heart to know my deep cry. He then takes that inexpressible groan or confusion to the Father. We are also told that even in our weaknesses (Romans 8:26), the Spirit is there to help us.
Imagine being in a foreign land where you need help but can’t speak the language. Since we don’t know the language of prayer as the Lord does, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. He helps us by translating our deep longings to God with inexpressible words that can only be interpreted by the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit who lives in every believer. Don’t’ forget, as a believer, no matter what you may encounter in life, the Spirit is living in you to help you. Psalm 34:19 tells us that, “The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.”
Be sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit
In order for believers to stay connected to the power of the Holy Spirit, we must remain sensitive to His promptings so that we can discern God’s truths, gain a heart of wisdom, and have the mind of Christ. When we read the Bible, the Holy Spirit takes the Word of God and makes it real to us. God’s Word comes alive in our hearts enabling us to stand firm in our faith no matter what life throws at us. Like a warning signal in our vehicle, the Holy Spirit alerts us of any danger in our path.
Whether a believer realizes it or not, the Spirit of God is always at work, clearing our paths of any possible obstruction. That’s why it is important for us make the Word of God our number one priority and the focus of our lives. As followers of Christ, we face temptations every day, and if we are not careful we can yield to them. Remember, we have an enemy who is determined to destroy God’s children. The Holy Spirit helps us to discern Satan’s lies and his destructive paths. The undiscerning who has not trusted Jesus as Savior, will submit to the temptation without a thought.
Conviction of the Holy Spirit
As believers, the Holy Spirit also lives inside us to convict us of our sins. When you become a Christian, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside of you. Since sin and holiness cannot reside together, a believer is able to recognize the conviction of the Holy Spirit when he or she is out of alignment with Him. When our thoughts and actions do not line up with the ways of God, that is a sure sign we are going in the opposite direction, and we can sense it through the power of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit points us in the right direction by revealing God’s truths to us about sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:7-11):
But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit
While we enjoy the presence and benefits of the Holy Spirit, Scripture warns us not to grieve the Spirit. Did you know that you can make the Holy Spirit sad and miss out on His joy, presence, and power by your conversation, conduct, and character? In Ephesians 4:30, we read:
And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
Fellow Christians, let us be mindful of our actions and the way we live so that we are in step with the Holy Spirit and do not bring sorrow to Him. Remember, the Holy Spirit is God’s gift to believers. We live in a fallen world, so the temptation to sin is ever-present. 
The Holy Spirit living inside of us helps us to make wise decisions when we stay focused on God’s Word. Through His Word, God reveals things to us by His Spirit. The Holy Spirit takes the Word of God and illuminate our paths (1 Corinthians 2:10-13).
Remember, the Holy Spirit is a person of the Trinity (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14). He is the Promise of the Father and He is very important to the work which God has called you and me to do. The Holy Spirit is available to teach believers about the ways of God and to shed light on His Word. If you haven’t yet given your life to Jesus, let me encourage you to do so now so that you can live in and enjoy the presence of the Holy Spirit.
“There is not a better evangelist in the world than the Holy Spirit.”
–Dwight L. Moody
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