The Holy Spirit is not merely a mystical presence but the very breath, wisdom, and power of God working in and through believers. Isaiah 11:2 offers one of the clearest biblical outlines of the Holy Spirit's attributes, describing seven distinct manifestations—often called the seven powers or spirits of the Holy Spirit. These powers were fully embodied in Jesus Christ and are given to believers to live godly and victorious lives. Isaiah 11:2 (KJV) " And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. " Let’s look at each power in detail: 1. The Spirit of the Lord This is the foundational presence of the Holy Spirit—the sovereign power of God that rests upon a person for divine assignment. It represents God’s anointing, approval, and presence. ...
Self-will is the assertion of one’s personal desires, preferences, or ambitions over the will of God. It often leads to rebellion, disobedience, and a lack of submission to divine authority. The Bible consistently warns against self-will because it prioritizes human reasoning over God's wisdom, resulting in spiritual consequences. Characteristics of Self-Will The following are some key characteristics of self-will as revealed in Scripture: 1. Rebellion Against God A self-willed individual actively resists God’s commands and refuses to submit to His authority. Rebellion stems from the human tendency to seek independence from God. In 1 Samuel 15, King Saul disobeyed God by sparing King Agag and the best livestock after God explicitly commanded him to destroy everything (1 Samuel 15:23). Saul’s rebellion showed his self-will as he prioritized his judgment over God’s instructions. 2. Pride and A...