To hear many of us talk, you'd think we didn't believe that verse. You'd think we didn't believe in the Trinity. We talk about the Father and study the Son-but when it comes to the Holy Spirit, we are confused at best and frightened at worst. Confused because we've never been taught. Frightened because we've been taught to be afraid.

May I simplify things a bit? The Holy Spirit is the presence of God in our lives, carrying on the work of Jesus. The Holy Spirit helps us in three directions-inwardly (by granting us the fruits of the Spirit, Gal. 5:22-24), upwardly (by praying for us, Rom. 8:26) and outwardly (by pouring God's love into our hearts, Rom. 5:5)