Encountering the Holy Spirit

A Biblical and Practical Journey

During discussions about meeting the Holy Spirit, people react differently; some experience joy, others feel scared, but many remain puzzled.

What does encountering the Spirit entail, and what does it signify? Is it only about speaking in tongues? Is it emotional hype? Is it mystical?The encounter with the Holy Spirit represents something that Scripture establishes as accessible to all believers.

As a Pentecostal, I’ve seen how easy it is for people to swing between extremes: either fearing emotion or chasing emotionalism.

Scripture reveals the Holy Spirit encounter to be a truth-based transformative experience—deeply personal while staying connected to God’s Word.

Knowing one needs the constant presence, power, and purpose of the Spirit is not an arrogant position; it is an acknowledgement that we are not enough in our own strength to achieve what Jesus has called us to.

1. The Holy Spirit Promises to Be Available to Everyone

Jesus emphasised that every person could receive the Holy Spirit. Before He ascended, He promised:

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8, NIV).

Every believer receives the Holy Spirit as God’s special gift—not just pastors, not just missionaries, not just people with “spiritual personalities.”

Pentecost fulfilled this promise. Peter declared:

“The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:39, NIV).

Believers receive the Holy Spirit as a divine gift. He desires to empower and guide you, establishing a lasting connection rather than a single emotional moment.

2. Emotion Has a Place, but It Should Not Take Centre Stage

Many people experience emotional challenges when they meet the Spirit. Some fear losing control. Others have witnessed the misuse of the Spirit’s name to justify harmful behaviours.

Let’s be clear: biblical teachings confirm that emotion is an appropriate response when God reveals Himself.

King David demonstrated his worship through dance:

“Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might” (2 Samuel 6:14, NIV).

The first disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit:

“And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 13:52, NIV).

Pursuing feelings as ends in themselves is a distorted practice.

The Holy Spirit does not come to entertain us, but to enable us—empowering believers, convicting sinners, transforming lives, comforting and commissioning.

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7, NIV).

If you’ve felt hesitant because of emotional excesses you’ve witnessed, know this: God’s Holy Spirit respects your mind, emotions, and will. His presence will not erase your identity but unlock your true potential as God intended.

3. Practical Ways to Encounter the Spirit

How do we experience the Holy Spirit in everyday life?The path to encountering Him doesn’t require chasing fleeting emotions or waiting for spectacular moments. Scripture offers practical patterns:

Prayerful surrender Jesus said:

“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13, NIV).

Simply ask. Invite Him. Yield your heart in prayer.

Immersing in the WordThe Spirit never contradicts Scripture—He authored it!

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16, NIV).

Worship and community The early church encountered the Spirit together:

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42, NIV).

Stepping out in faith The Spirit works through obedience. As you pray for others, encourage someone, or follow God’s nudges, faith creates space for the Spirit to move.

4. Evidence of Encounter: Changed Lives

Many associate the Spirit’s encounter with speaking in tongues. That is not a bad thing, the scriptures show us a consistent pattern of expecting that God would bgive people a spiritual prayer language that edifies the believer. You can see more about this specifically in this blog piece. Understanding the presence power and purpose of the Spirit. A series about the Holy Spirit. However, while tongues are a beautiful biblical gift they’re not the end of only evidence of the Spirit’s work. There are a bundle of other gifts of the Spirit that God gives to make you more effective in the task he has called us to. We should desire them, because they help us love people more effectively. Additionally, of course there are not only the Gifts of the Spirit, but the Fruit of the Spirit.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23, NIV).

Have you become more patient? More compassionate? Bolder in sharing Jesus? That’s the Holy Spirit.

If your spiritual experiences have felt “quiet” or “ordinary,” take comfort: the Spirit’s work is seen in transformed hearts and renewed minds, not just dramatic moments.

5. The Spirit’s Presence Is a Daily Invitation

The Holy Spirit is with us every day, enabling us to follow Jesus through both mundane and miraculous moments.

Because our lives depend on the Spirit, we must follow His guidance daily.

Each day invites us to walk with Him, to listen, to yield. Allow Him to guide your words, choices, attitudes, and behaviour.

Whether you’ve grown up in a Pentecostal environment or are just exploring the Spirit’s work, know this: He longs for relationship, not ritual.

The Holy Spirit resists manipulation, manufactured experiences, or formulas. He was sent to reveal Jesus to us and through us.

An Invitation

If you’ve been hesitant or fearful, why not ask the Father today?

“Lord, fill me with Your Spirit. I surrender. I welcome Your work in my life.”

Don’t chase a feeling. Don’t fear a feeling. Trust the Father’s gift. Let the Word guide you. Let the Spirit empower you.

God will meet you in quiet ways and dramatic ways—but will always meet you with faithfulness.

The Holy Spirit’s presence unfolds across daily life, not just a single moment. May your everyday reflect His presence, power and purposes.