It is important to understand what it feels like for us to host the Spirit of God. This helps us avoid discouragement as well as presumption. Jesus gave us some description of the experience of the Spirit when he said: “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ Now this he said about the Spirit” (John 7:38-39, ESV). The Spirit wants to be a river of life flowing out of us!
Some people feel a strong sense of the Spirit when they first believe. They may feel a powerful love from God invading their hearts. They may feel a peaceful presence from outside them filling them up inside. They may feel strong joy or holiness. Later, their strong sense of his Spirit often becomes moderate or light. A few are blessed with a strong sense of the Spirit for most of their lives.
But others may feel very little or nothing at all when they first believe. Yet, rest assured that even if you feel nothing the Holy Spirit is in you if you sincerely turned away from your sinful life and trusted Jesus as your savior and made an initial surrender to Him as lord of your life.
Often there are barriers to overcome before you feel a strong presence. Sometimes believers embrace damaging habits that interfere with the Spirit. Sometimes one needs to correct misunderstandings. Sometimes it is just a matter of waiting for God to prepare you. Sometimes one needs to find a group of believers who are more experienced at connecting with the Spirit. Sometimes there are areas of deep hurt that need to be healed and forgiven. Sometimes there are psychological issues. Sometimes one needs to learn how to walk in dryness which will lead to more experience of the Spirit’s presence. (See blog posts on dryness by typing “dryness” into the search bar.) Sometimes there are even physical conditions that make it difficult. So take time to explore and learn; your journey will equip you to minister to others in the same situation.
If you are wondering if the Spirit is in you then think back to when you first believed. Did you not notice that some of your desires were different and that you were more sensitive to the conviction of sins that you commit? If you believed as a child then you might not remember much of a difference but if you believed as an adult then you should have noticed some differences. At the very least you came to view yourself as submitted to God in Christ rather than being god of your own life. This is more than enough proof. This is what unbelievers lack.
