Our Internal Friend

One of the major milestones in my personal walk with the Lord was when I started to focus of the third person of the Trinity; the One who is probably least understood but nonetheless vitally important in our lives.

At the moment we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we receive the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. But the truth is the Holy Spirit began His work long before that. John 6:44 tells us that The Holy Spirit is the One who convicts us of our sin and the need for a Savior. He is the One who leads us to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Our rescue from death and eternal separation from God wouldn't be possible without his work. And it doesn't stop there. When Jesus told his disciples about the coming of the Holy Spirit---He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8)--he made it clear that the spirit's work would be ongoing. He is our guide into all truth (John 16:13).

It's easy for many to mistake this as our conscience; as even non-believers have a conscience which can sometimes guide them to make good choices. But the Holy Spirit is much different. Because God exists in three persons and the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, we literally have God residing inside of us. As God's men, when we feel the inclination to sin, that internal feeling that we shouldn't isn't our conscience. Rather it is the Holy Spirit once again convicting us; not to condemn us, but to help us and guide us in the right direction. He is truly our internal friend.