What is the role of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
He is to us as Adam's Rib was to Eve. Without Him, we walk in darkness. He won't dwell within us, unless we bare our true selves to God. That's painful. Hi, Perfect, Loving Creator... um... I'm a filthy sinner that needs you.
When I walked in legalism, I memorized scripture and read the OT, frequently. When my life crashed down and I fell so low that I was beyond rock bottom, that's when I bared my soul before God and begged Him to fix me. Paul's thorn has always been a favorite text of mine.
I've had 1 major life changing dream that was hard to discern at first, but it ended up being prophetic of a life changing provision that God blessed me with that took me away from a horrible situation.
What is His role? My personal opinion? Teacher, Best Friend, Potter to my soul, A shoulder to cry on, a stern Father to my stupidity in the name of protection, the bearer of all of my secrets, my source of peace in the midst of life's horrors, He's my very seal and promise of Salvation... and one day when this seed of a dying body is planted, my soul will be freed and without sin (Patience is a fruit, but to suffer silently is a difficult fruit to master). He is my connection to God, literally intertwined with unworthy me. He's my deepest treasure. He's Jesus dwelling within me, via His infinite Holy Ghost. He's the source of everything meaningful in my life. He's that still small voice that sometimes makes me seem wise. He's my most meaningful experience in this life. Provider of human perfection? That's a hard no. Provider of Grace and wisdom that God is God and I am me? Every day that passes, the understanding only grows more deeply on the matter.
Above all... I can say that my Soul is like a dilapidated residence that I wanted to hide from God. I repented and the Holy Spirit came in, then said... I can't see in here. I'm going to turn on the LIGHT. That stunk! Years later, this residence is still dilapidated, but the Holy Spirit has done a lot of picking up. When I try to help Him, I usually get in the way. I've learned to tell Him everything and reveal to me what I am ignorant within myself about. He helps me love like I want to Love, for sure.
Without Him? I would be a pathetic dead man walking in a meaningless existence.
Is He given to us as a teacher and a guide?
And so much more.
Can we reasonably learn to hear His voice of counsel?
I've never "audibly" heard Him, but He most definitely communicates with me via whatever measure He chooses. I will make a confession. I had a very legalistic view of the world at one time. When I finally came to God, I begged Him to make my soul as David's... that no matter what I heard, read, saw or who I spoke to... that the Holy Spirit would use it to teach me. He has answered that prayer. The Doves and the Ravens become providers of spiritual understanding. He's my filter to ensure that I grow in faith, no matter what is happening around me.
Is He only active when we read the bible?
Most certainly not. But.... I confess.... He makes this goofy fool sound wise... scripturally speaking. He is all I have when it comes to scripture. I will say this. I am pulled to scripture, sometimes, so directly that It is overwhelming. It's gotten to the place that I can meditate on 1 verse and the unspoken voice of The Holy Spirit is so intense and full of wisdom, that I have to back away, put music in my ears and settle down. I prayed for that, too.
Does He want to guide us on the best path as we walk in the way?
Always. I'm sure He feels like he got stuck with a stubborn mule, in reference to me. He is utterly patient and Loving beyond explanation! Whenever I've wandered too far... He knows how to get me back to ground zero, rapidly. I'm learning to cooperate a bit more. It's just easier that way!
