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By Hank Walker | Pastor at Peach City Fellowship

I recently overheard a sweet lady say the following: “Church was so awesome… I could just FEEL the Holy Spirit!” Now, in recounting this, I do not doubt that she experienced powerful emotions in worship. Moreover, she is probably just parroting something she’s heard other Christians say. Nevertheless, it is not biblical to equate emotions—no matter how powerful—with the Holy Spirit.

First, the relationship between believers and the Holy Spirit is defined by Scripture. EVERY believer possesses the indwelling Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:9). This indwelling was promised by Jesus Himself (John 14:16-17). In turn, the Spirit confirms the reality of the believer’s relationship to Christ. We know this because the Bible says so—not because of something we feel.

Biblically, the Holy Spirit empowers people to know, obey, and honor God. He ALWAYS points back to Jesus and the Father. He convicts sinners, regenerates hearts, illuminates the Bible, and helps Jesus’ followers discern between truth and the lies of the world, the flesh, and the devil.

PROOF of the Holy Spirit’s activity in one’s life is FRUIT—not feelings! In Galatians 5, Paul compares the “deeds of the flesh” (vv. 19-21) with the “fruit of the Spirit” (vv. 22-24), thereby showing that when Christians are walking in the Spirit, the reality of their relationship with Christ becomes apparent. When Christians display the fruit of the Spirit, it is not a feeling but a manifestation of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

Finally, the biggest problem with saying that one “feels the Holy Spirit” is that it demonstrates a fundamental ignorance of WHO the Holy Spirit is. HE is a Person—a co-equal and co-eternal Person within the Godhead. Too often, people think of the Holy Spirit as an abstract force or feeling. Beyond being wrong, such an estimation of God borders on blasphemy. Moreover, emotions are often misleading and unreliable. Tragically, well-meaning Christians make all kinds of terrible decisions because they feel an emotional impulse—attribute that impulse to the Spirit—and then act foolishly or irrationally because of it.

Emotions are not wrong! Strong emotions—joy, grief over sin, heartsickness over a lost family member, deep affection for fellow believers—are a part of God’s design; they are just not to be confused with God Himself.

Grace and peace, y’all. Soli Deo Gloria