Question 33: The Holy Spirit’s Work

Read: 2 Corinthians 3:12-18
Listen: 2 Corinthians 3

Question: How does the Holy Spirit work in believers’ lives?

Answer: The Holy Spirit transforms believers, making them more like Christ in character and actions.

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18

Paul wrote to believers in Corinth who were struggling with ongoing spiritual growth and maturity issues. He explained that sanctification—being set apart and transformed into Christ’s likeness—is not an instant process but a gradual work of the Spirit. Unlike the temporary, fading glory that Moses experienced after meeting with God, believers experience an ongoing transformation that increases over time. Paul wanted the Corinthians to understand that their spiritual growth wasn’t dependent on their own efforts but on the Spirit’s continuous work within them. The term “being transformed” indicates an ongoing process where the Spirit shapes believers to reflect more and more of Christ’s character throughout their lives.

This same transformation continues in believers’ lives today through the Spirit’s ongoing work. The Spirit transforms us spiritually into Christlikeness, making our actions and character more like Jesus. This transformation comes through the God’s Spirit living in us. As we walk in the Spirit and submit to his guidance, the Spirit produces the fruits of the Spirit in our lives, making us less hateful and more loving, less cynical and more joyful, less anxious and more at peace. The Spirit helps us defeat sin and live to please to God. We cannot defeat the power of sin by our strength. Sin is defeated by God’s strength through his Spirit who is more powerful than the enemy who tries to tempt us.

TODAY: Thank God that transformation is the Spirit’s work, not something you must accomplish in your own strength. Ask the Spirit to reveal one area where you need to be more like Christ and submit that area to his transforming work today.