10 Ways to Know the Holy Spirit Better

A relationship with the Holy Spirit is life-changing. He changes you, your ministry, your family, and your relationships. I had grown up learning about tongues and even hearing about the Holy Spirit, but it wasn’t until about 9 years ago something suddenly changed for me, and I have never been the same.

I want to share a few things with you that I know can help you grow in your relationship with the Holy Spirit.

Begin With These Things

1. Seek the Holy Spirit as a Person, Not Power

In John 16:7, Jesus describes the Holy Spirit as a Helper, a Person to have a relationship with, not just a power source.

Don’t just chase the gifts, but chase the Holy Spirit. When you chase power, you may miss the beauty that comes from a relationship with the Holy Spirit. He’s not a means to an end. He is the goal.

2. Know That He Desires a Relationship

Understand that the Holy Spirit desires a relationship with you even more than you do. This truth found in Scripture can be so freeing. 2 Corinthians 13:14 says that the Holy Spirit offers us communion. He is the initiator, not us. He desires that with you. You may disqualify yourself, but the Bible says, “with you all,” meaning there are no exclusions in Him. When we understand that, it brings so much freedom.

3. Feed Yourself on the Holy Scriptures

The Bible says that all Scripture is inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16). The Holy Spirit moved on holy men as they wrote the Scripture. If you want to know Him more, feed on the Scripture.

God is more than the Bible, but we can get to know how He thinks and what He values in the Bible. Take time to read it.

4. Communicate with the Holy Spirit

Proverbs 20:27 says that the spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord. Every day, choose to talk to the Holy Spirit. It doesn’t have to be verbally; you can do it in your heart. He searches your heart and knows you. So why not talk to Him?

5. Keep a Soft Heart Toward God

Purity of heart is key to seeing God(Matthew 5:8). In Psalm 51:10-11, we see that David knew the secret to knowing the Holy Spirit–maintaining a soft heart before Him. Your heart has to be sensitive, pure and respond to God and His goodness. A man or woman who is after God’s heart will sooner or later have God’s heart.

6. Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously

In Ecclesiastes 7:16-17, it says to not be too good or too wise. I found this interesting. Don’t take yourself too seriously. We are not Him through whom all things consist. I like to say this about myself: “I am a nobody, trying to tell everybody about Somebody who can save anybody.”

Many times when we take ourselves too seriously, we stop taking God seriously because our vision becomes clouded by us.

7. Treat People Well

Ephesians 4:30 says to not sorrow God’s heart by how we live. If you read this, you’ll notice it is talking about the way we treat people. We must be tenderhearted and forgiving to people.

8. Repent Quickly

We must learn to close the gap between our sins and our repentance (1 John 1:9). We all sin, and we all fall short, but the Bible tells us to run quickly to Him. If you bridge the gap between your fall and your sin or mistake, your intimacy with Him will grow.

9. Walk in the Revelation He Gives You

In 1 John 1:7, we are told to walk in the light. Walking in the light means walking in the truth of His word and the truth that He is highlighting to you. Sometimes in dark seasons, we can question certain revelations we received from God in the light. Choose to walk in the light. You’ll sense His grace.

10. Have Gratitude and Fellowship

We must replace our grumbling with gratitude and our fighting with fellowship. The Bible tells us that we must do things without complaining (Phil 2:14).

What causes the Holy Spirit to depart is when we fight with brothers and sisters. We may not all agree on doctrine, but if we choose to have fellowship with people who walk in repentance, and believe in salvation by grace through faith, we will walk pleasing to the Holy Spirit. Choose to live a life of gratitude and fellowship and you will sense His favor.

Conclusion

Growing your relationship with the Holy Spirit is about understanding His desire for fellowship, treating others well, maintaining a pure heart, and following His guidance. Remember, it’s not about strict religious practices but about your heart’s state and daily walk in faith and humility.

Read: 4 Ways People Relate to the Holy Spirit