Who doesn’t want the power to make things happen? As born-again believers, we have been filled with the gift of holy spirit (Acts 2:38), power from on high (Luke 24:49). We have power for abundant living. To see this power in manifestation, we must operate the gift God has given us. But how does it work? God’s Word can help us understand the operation of the gift of holy spirit.
The nine manifestations of holy spirit operate under a basic principle that can be seen in the following verses, which record Jesus Christ prophesying of the gift of holy spirit. Referring to the gift of holy spirit, John 16:13 says, “…for he [it] shall not speak of himself [itself]; but whatsoever he [it] shall hear, that shall he [it] speak….” This implies that your spirit, the gift, hears and learns from God and obeys what He tells it to say. We can see this again in verse 15. Jesus Christ says, “All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he [it, the gift of holy spirit] shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” This is the first part of our basic principle—God, Who is Spirit, teaches your spirit.
In John 14, we can see the next part of the principle. Your spirit teaches your mind.
John 14:26:
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost [the gift of holy spirit], whom the Father will send in my name, he [it] shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
The great principle we see from these verses is that God, Who is Spirit, teaches His creation in you, which is now your spirit. Your spirit teaches your mind. Then your spiritual power becomes manifested in the senses realm as you act or as you speak out.
To help us further understand the operation of holy spirit power, let’s consider four Greek words used in God’s Word to describe the power we have available. First, dunamis is the inherent, potential power, or spiritual ability, received by the believer at the time of the new birth. It is like having a tank full of gas in a car. But, just because it is there doesn’t mean it is being used.
Next, exousia is the God-given right and privilege to exercise the dunamis. It is like being given a driver’s license and the key to the car. As believers we have the authoritative power to operate God’s gift. We have the potential power and the authority, but it is up to us whether or not we operate that power. We may have that full tank of gas, a driver’s license, and the key—everything we need. But having all of those things is not the same as actually driving. We have to get in the car, turn the key, and hit the gas pedal. Let’s see this in the Word.
I Corinthians 12:11:
But all these [nine manifestations of holy spirit] worketh [energeō, are energized by] that one and the selfsame Spirit [God], dividing to every man severally [distributing to every man his own] as he [the man] will.
Energeō is the verb form of energēma, the kinetic, energized power of God. It is dunamis in operation. The manifestations of holy spirit are energized by God as each believer wills, or maturely deliberates. We can see the nine manifestations of holy spirit listed in I Corinthians 12:8-10. These manifestations can be operated by every believer, and every manifestation of the gift of holy spirit is profitable. Each believer operates God’s power when they decide and believe to do so.
Finally, when God’s power is put into operation as we speak or act, the result is kratos—exerted, manifested power. It is power with an impact.
Ephesians 1:19:
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power [dunamis] to us-ward who believe, according to the working [energeia] of his mighty power [kratos].
These four types of power all come together when we operate our gift of holy spirit. The potential power (dunamis) given to each born-again believer is exercised and put into operation by our freewill decision because we have the authority and right (exousia). God energizes (energeō) the power as we believe and decide to act, resulting in the manifestation of that power (kratos), power with an impact.
It’s God’s Word that helps us understand the operation of the gift of holy spirit. We can operate the gift God has given us, manifesting power with an impact. We can make things happen! Let’s live a powerful and more abundant life for God.