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. ...
Backsliding is a spiritual condition where a believer turns away from God, reverting to old sinful habits or abandoning faith altogether. Though the term “backsliding” is mostly found in the Old Testament—especially in the book of Jeremiah—the concept is echoed throughout the Bible. It is a serious issue that carries several spiritual dangers, all of which call for sincere reflection and repentance. 1. Loss of Fellowship with God One of the most immediate consequences of backsliding is a broken fellowship with God. Isaiah 59:2 says, “ But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you so that he will not hear. ” Sin creates a wall between the believer and God, not because God has moved, but because the backslider has walked away. The spiritual intimacy that once brought peace and joy is replaced with emptiness and guilt. 2. A Hardened Heart Repeated sin without repentance leads to a...