My Answer
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: There’s a lot being said in today’s culture about the Holy Spirit, and I’m sometimes surprised that so many people talk about it because I don’t think they really grasp the work of the Holy Spirit. A great number of people think that it is a spirit that speaks to encourage us to do bigger and better things. What does the Bible say about this? – H.S.
A: The Holy Spirit plays two important roles. First, He convicts men of sin. The Bible clearly teaches that the Holy Spirit reproves “the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8, NKJV). This is why before we come to Christ, we must acknowledge our sin. We must renounce our sins. The Holy Spirit makes us feel uncomfortable and pricks our consciences. He makes us acknowledge and admit to ourselves and to God that we are sinners, and then He gives us the strength and the power to turn from our sins.
The second role of the Holy Spirit is as a teacher, a guide into all truth. After we have committed our lives to Christ, the Holy Spirit helps us understand the written Word of God. He is our instructor. He is also our comforter in times of trouble and sorrow.
The natural man does not understand the things of the spirit (see 1 Corinthians 2:14). The unregenerate person does not have the Holy Spirit, because he has not had his sins forgiven and so has not received his “leader into all truth” and cannot comprehend the Scriptures.
For a student to be taught, he must listen and desire to learn from his teacher. For the Christian to grow in wisdom and knowledge of the Word of God, he must be willing to study God’s Word and to be a willing pupil of God’s Holy Spirit.
(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)
©2026 Billy Graham Literary Trust. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
(c)2026 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
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