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From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: I believe in God and accept Jesus, but I have not invited the Holy Spirit to live in me – and no one can really explain why this is necessary. The Bible says that we shouldn’t dabble in the spirit world. – S.W.

A: The Holy Word of God teaches of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. When we receive Christ as Savior and Lord, we are filled with His Holy Spirit. “If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His” (Romans 8:9, NKJV). When we come to Christ and give our lives to Him, God actually takes up residence within us through His Holy Spirit, and Jesus said, “The Holy Spirit … will teach you all things” (John 14:26, NKJV).

God made us, and He makes us His children when we accept His great gift of forgiveness. He offers us the great gift of His Holy Spirit – He is our power source! He gives us the power to be obedient as we yield ourselves to Him and follow in the steps of Jesus (see 1 Peter 2:21).

Everyone who is truly saved has the Holy Spirit living within. We need to receive the work that Jesus did by dying on the cross for our sins (repenting of sin and accepting His salvation), and we need the Holy Spirit’s work in us.

It is the Holy Spirit who brings about conviction of sin; repentance cannot take place unless first there is a movement of the Holy Spirit in the heart and mind. As someone said, “I need Jesus Christ for my eternal life, and the Holy Spirit of God for my internal life.” He might have added, “…so I can live my external life to the fullest.” The Father is the source of all blessing, the Son is the channel of all blessing, and it’s through the Holy Spirit at work in us that all truth becomes living and operative in our lives.

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)

©2025 Billy Graham Literary Trust. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

(c)2025 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.