I heard something the other day that made me stop and ponder!
I was watching Paula White interview a brother in Christ who kept referring to the Holy Spirit in a way that seemed awkward to me, but it made sense. For example, he would say, “I asked Holy Spirit about this …” or “I heard Holy Spirit say …” Did you notice he didn’t say “the” Holy Spirit? I think I’ve heard Joni Lamb speak this way too.
Since the Holy Spirit is the THIRD PERSON of the Godhead, why do we say “the” Holy Spirit? I always took a stand when I was in a choir and song lyrics called Him an IT. I guess this really is one other way we don’t fully recognize Him as a person of the trinity. We don’t say “the” Jesus. Do you see where I’m coming from?
So really, starting my last paragraph I should have said, “Since Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead …” See how it sounds a bit strange, but makes total sense? It does something to my grammatical compass like fingernails on a chalkboard. I feel like I have an error — typo — missing a word, but somehow it feels right and respectful.
I just wanted to throw that out there to make you think. Will I change the way I write and talk about Him from this day forward? I don’t know, but it has definitely made me think.
I love You Father God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit! I am grateful for our Counselor, Comforter, and Teacher!
John 14:16-17
And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever– the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you.John 14:26
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.Acts 2:32-33
God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Exalted to the right hand of God, He has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.Romans 8:27
And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.1 Corinthians 2:10-11
But God has revealed it to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
Is this strange to you? Have you ever thought about this?
I hadn't thought about that regarding the Holy Spirit, but I once heard someone speak of God as "Father" instead of "the Father," as in "I talked to Father about (whatever)." I did notice that all the scriptures in the box in your post have the word 'the' in front of Holy Spirit or Spirit. Personally, I use 'Holy Spirit' when I'm addressing Him and 'the Holy Spirit' when I'm talking about Him. That's just me.
~Susan
Thanks for this thought provoking post sis.
Thanks for the thought provoking post. I too have heard about not referring to (the) Holy Spirit as an it but I hadn't thought about using the in front of it.
Boy, you got me thinking.
You're right about "the Holy Spirit" vs. "Holy Spirit, cuz we don't say " the God vs. God."
love and hugs~Tammy
This does make complete sense.
I never thought about this before. It does make perfect sense!
Wow, I have never thought about it like that!
I'm like Susan, when I'm praying, I don't use "the" before Father or Holy Spirit,because I'm talking to them….only when I'm talking about them to someone.
And it does seem a little awkward to me too to not say "the" when talking about the Father or Holy Spirit. That's just me…..
~Beth
Hmmm … never thought about it before. Makes sense, but sure doesn't sound "right".
🙂 🙂 🙂
Holy Spirit just doesn't "sound" like a name, the way Jesus and God do. But I can never be grateful enough to have Him with me!!