The church consists of those having God's Spirit, and because people continue to be converted, the Holy Spirit has been given continuously since the church began. Spirit, unlike material things that we can see, touch, taste, hear, and smell, has none of these characteristics, making it a mysterious subject to many. As I considered the symbolic identity of Babylon, it dawned on me that God's intention might have far more to do with spirit than any material nation or institution of men, revealing a spiritual aspect of the mystery. Spirit is an invisible force or power that motivates to do or not to do, applying to people in vital ways. Though invisible, spirit is revealed by its manifestations, which can be witnessed externally through our senses or known internally in someone's mind through thought processes. This influence can be discerned by those who know what to look for by observing body language, vocal inflections, and demeanor. The term spirit, appearing frequently in scripture as ruach in Hebrew and pneuma in Greek, suggests a movement of air, indicating its invisible nature, yet its effects can be seen, like air moving leaves on a tree. God is composed of spirit, immaterial and invisible, yet having form and shape, just as we are made in His image. The spirit in man, an immaterial quality given by God, empowers intellect and the ability to think, enabling a spiritual link with our Creator, who is Spirit and has a Spirit, the Holy Spirit. This spirit in man makes us human, setting us apart from animals by imparting the power to think spatially, have foresight, remember, use language, experience emotion, build, sing, plan, and worship God. Spirit also manifests in words, which are invisible and immaterial but hold powerful influence. Jesus' words are spirit, and if believed, they become influences leading to salvation. Words, as expressions of the mind, can inspire, exhort, depress, inform, destroy reputations, mislead, calm, create faith, love, hope, determination, courage, endurance, fear, enthusiasm, morality, and repentance, demonstrating spirit's power to motivate action or inaction. The source of sin is spirit, often influenced by the spirit of the liar and murderer, satan, whose invisible influence permeates this world, promoting evil thoughts like covetousness, anger, pride, and deceit. Satan's spirit, using words as fiery darts, motivates destructive actions and sustains a system that draws us away from God. In contrast, God's Spirit, which is holy, exudes purity, cleanliness, goodness, righteousness, and love, always intending to liberate and produce life on the God level, never to enslave or destroy. We stand between good and bad spirits, capable of being influenced by either, and are charged by God to choose which invisible influence to follow. God's Holy Spirit, the essence of Their minds, thoughts, words, character, attitude, and perspective, can influence us if we permit it. To grow in the quantity and quality of this Spirit, we must spend time with Them through Their Book and prayer, imbibing the essence of Their mind to ensure the spirit influencing us remains good.

God's pouring out of His Spirit on the church, as recorded in Acts 2, marked a dramatic event with extraordinary manifestations testifying to something remarkable happening. The Holy Spirit remains a significant theme throughout Acts, accompanying the preaching of the gospel and the calling of more people into the church. The epistles of Paul, Peter, and John also frequently mention the Holy Spirit, though it is often misunderstood due to challenges in translating the Greek word "pneuma," which carries multiple meanings and nuances. Paul provides a simple framework for understanding spirit in his writings to the Corinthians, explaining that each person has a spirit, synonymous with heart or mind, which is the non-physical center of reason, thought, and comprehension. Additionally, the world has a spirit, not as a separate being, but as an attitude or motivating impulse that is anti-God, influencing mankind to oppose their Creator. In contrast, believers receive a Spirit from God, which is not another being but the essence of His mind, including His attitude, principles, thoughts, feelings, character, and will. This Spirit, equated with the mind of Christ, enhances the minds of God's children, granting spiritual understanding and uniting them in will and thought with the Father and the Son. God's Spirit, being holy as He is holy, inclines His people toward holiness in conduct, attitude, and speech. It is described as a spirit of power, love, and sound mind, enabling believers to operate with discipline, wisdom, and sobriety, distinct from the world's ways. This Spirit is a gift from God, bestowed through the laying on of hands, and can be stirred up within a person. It imparts the capacity for God's will and work to be accomplished, though always under the constraint of love and sound-mindedness, focusing on glorifying God rather than self. The Spirit of God also empowers believers to be witnesses of Jesus Christ and the Father, providing spiritual knowledge, understanding, and wisdom, and impelling them toward holiness. As God's children yield to and make use of His Spirit, He gives more, shaping His character image in them. Through this process, their lives become testimonies of God's goodness, love, holiness, and stability, reflecting His glory to the world by becoming like Him.