One person prayed: “Good morning, Holy Spirit. Haunt this person until he repents.” Sadly, this is the wrong kind of prayer. This misunderstanding of the Person of the Holy Spirit and His ministry in the world. The Lord Jesus Christ taught that the Holy Spirit would convict the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. (John 16:8)
Convict: The ministry of the Spirit is to convict, not haunt or be a horror. Convict is a legal term that carries the idea of exposure, convince, and persuade. The Holy Spirit does not blackmail, harass, or threaten to create fear. Conviction leads to a decision. A sinner gets an opportunity to make the right decision.
Sin: In human conscience, there is some glimmering light, some trace of consciousness of guilt, a trace of sense of what is right, and a trace of sense of eternity. However, they are useless unless the Spirit of God convicts a person. Before conviction, a person says he is not perfect and prone to do wrong. But a convicted person states: “I am a sinner, rebel, need God’s love and forgiveness.” The core of sin is unbelief. Those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ are already guilty.
Righteousness: Father sent His Son into the world to atone for sin. After the completion, he ascended to Heaven and sat on the right Hand of God. (Hebrews 12:2) God is Holy and righteous. God can only forgive through the death, burial, and resurrection of His Son. The Holy Spirit teaches a person that human righteousness is a filthy rag and needs the gift of the garment of righteousness from God. (Isaiah 64:6; 61:10-11)
Judgment: Legally, judgment follows conviction. But the ministry of the Holy Spirit has a middle step, forgiveness, and righteousness. When that gift of God is rejected, then there is judgment. It is eternal judgment that those who reject the Lord of Life will experience the Second Death in the Lake of Fire, with Satan and his angels. (Revelation 21:8)
Do I understand the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit?