What exactly does the Holy Spirit do? How does He work?

The Holy Spirit (will) lead us into all truth, working in our heart, mind, and spirit. It's process that will take our entire lifetime, so be patient.

"Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Romans 5:5)

So, "in our hearts" the Holy Spirit is sharing God's own love with each of us who are God's children. And my opinion is that this love in our "hearts" is curing our nature so we become more and more like Jesus. And 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 does say the Holy Spirit is changing us into the image of Jesus.

So, God is this personal with every one of us, by means of His Holy Spirit of His love so working and sharing "in our hearts".

Plus, we are "called in one body" to submit to how our Heavenly Father rules each of us in His own peace >

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." (Colossians 3:15)

And Romans 8:14 says the Holy Spirit leads each child of God. So, I piece this together with how we are called to be ruled by God's peace in our "hearts". The Holy Spirit in our "hearts" so personally guides us in God's own peace. And we are all "called in one body" to this.

So, this is included in our basic calling of what the Holy Spirit does with each of us.

iLove said:

Does the Holy Spirit work automatic for a Christian?

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Yes.

iLove said:

How can a Christian grieve the Holy Spirit? How does a Christian frustrate Grace?

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By exercising self-will against the counsel of the HS. We all do this from time to time. It's part of the learning curve.

OldWiseGuy said:

By exercising self-will against the counsel of the HS. We all do this from time to time. It's part of the learning curve.

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Paul says not to do that, so its not recommended.

W2L said:

Paul says not to do that, so its not recommended.

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Paul also confesses to doing it himself.

OldWiseGuy said:

Paul also confesses to doing it himself.

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When? He seemed very disciplined.

W2L said:

When? He seemed very disciplined.

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Roman 7. Paul's lament.

OldWiseGuy said:

Roman 7. Paul's lament.

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What is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 9:27?

W2L said:

What is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 9:27?

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Paul is saying that he is temperate in all things so he can be fit for preaching the gospel. Being temperate, or moderate, may be Paul's way of saying that he lived a rather Spartan lifestyle. It may have been a diplomatic way of chiding the church at Corinth for withholding aid from him, aid that he believed other apostles received and that he justly deserved. But as he was the apostle 'called out of season' he might have been reluctant to insist on such help, instead relying on his own craft to sustain his personal needs. However he did lay a little guilt trip on the church.

I haven't read it yet, but a Christian who is much more knowledgeable than me has recommended THIS book on the Holy Spirit. (The Forgotten God.) I know it is weak to recommend something you haven't read, but it is supposed to be wonderful.

OldWiseGuy said:

Paul is saying that he is temperate in all things so he can be fit for preaching the gospel. Being temperate, or moderate, may be Paul's way of saying that he lived a rather Spartan lifestyle. It may have been a diplomatic way of chiding the church at Corinth for withholding aid from him, aid that he believed other apostles received and that he justly deserved. But as he was the apostle 'called out of season' he might have been reluctant to insist on such help, instead relying on his own craft to sustain his personal needs. However he did lay a little guilt trip on the church.

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Paul was content whether suffering need or having abundance.

iLove said:

Same question, does the Holy Spirit work automatic for a Christian?

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I guess "automatically" can mean on one's own and according to how one is and what something or someone does even predictably. It is the nature of the Holy Spirit to do all He does. So, I guess we could say what He does is automatic, but not like how a material machine works automatically. But by automatic I mean it is His nature, and He is a Person of God, and He gets Himself to do what He does . . . and God is automatic in how He does things, meaning of His own will He is pleased to do the good and loving things He does.

So, part of God being automatic is we can say He pleased and loving and caring to do what He does. So, He's not just a power impersonal, but He is conscious and loving and caring and creative . . . and sharing as family.

So . . . another thing in the work of the Holy Spirit is how He is conforming us to the image of Jesus > 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, considering Romans 8:29 along with this > so Jesus can have many brethren . . . family.

iLove said:

How can a Christian grieve the Holy Spirit? How does a Christian frustrate Grace?

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One scripture which I think can help us with this is Ephesians 4:30-32. Verse 30 here says not to grieve the Holy Spirit. And then, right after this verse we see >

"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."

So, I can see how these are things which can grieve the Holy Spirit, since these are mentioned right after Paul says not to grieve the Holy Spirit.

And bitterness can be involved in unforgiveness. And we know how strongly Jesus has said He wants us to forgive. So, an anti-forgiveness thing like bitterness could be what grieves the Holy Spirit, and I think it is possible for anger and wrath and evil speaking and clamor and malice to also be connected somehow to unforgiveness . . . versus deeply and dearly loving someone like God says He wants, in the next verse >

"And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32)

So, I can see, when people are the opposite, against one another, in anger and bitterness and malice, this grieves the Holy Spirit. And the "love of God" "in our hearts" changes us more and more to be "tenderhearted" with one another. And this "love of God" is shared with us, "in our hearts", by the Holy Spirit > Romans 5:5 < how His love is, in us, is our example of how to become, so even we can forgive "even as God in Christ forgave you." So, God does so want us to share this personally with Him; so when we relate in the exact opposite way, this grieves the Holy Spirit.

iLove said:

Same question, does the Holy Spirit work automatic for a Christian?

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Yes once a person has repented and truly accepted Christ and Lord the we have the Holy Spirit inside us. When we are in close fellowship with the Lord we can be overflowing...