Some people have gifts but don’t walk in glory. Some demonstrate power but don’t carry the presence. The Holy Spirit will mark the life of the believer in many ways: spiritual gifts, anointed ministry, the gift of tongues, authority over demons, and so forth. But the demonstration of power alone isn’t the ultimate sign that you’ve received the Holy Spirit.

21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ (Matthew 7:21-23, NLT)

The ultimate sign that you’ve received the Holy Spirit is less about what you do and more about who you become. 

Healing, deliverance, miracles, ministry, speaking in tongues - it’s all wonderful. But the greatest sign of having received the Holy Spirit is Christ-like character.

22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. (Galatians 5:22-24, NLT)

There’s something I’ve learned about the Holy Spirit throughout my many years of friendship with Him: He glorifies Jesus. And one of the many ways that the Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus is by shaping you into the image of Jesus. 

God has commissioned a painting. Jesus is the model. The Holy Spirit is the painter. And your life, when it is surrendered to the Holy Spirit, is the blank canvas upon which He paints the character of Christ.

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