12 Works of the Holy Spirit (And What Each One Means)
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity and plays a vital role in people’s lives today.
Though his work is often invisible, the Bible reveals what he does—from convicting people of sin to giving them new life, spiritual gifts, and future resurrection bodies.
Jesus compared the Spirit’s ministry to the wind—unseen but undeniable (John 3:8).
This article outlines 12 things the Holy Spirit does in people’s lives, based on the New Testament.
It explains how the Spirit convicts, seals, assures, sanctifies, and intercedes—while also highlighting questions like:
- What does it mean to be sealed by the Spirit?
- Does every believer receive a spiritual gift?
- Why isn’t the baptism of the Spirit on this list?
Whether you’re new to Christianity or want to go deeper in your walk with God, these 12 works will give you clarity and confidence in what the Spirit is doing in your life.
The Ministry of the Holy Spirit in People’s Lives
The Bible teaches that there is one God who exists in three persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. Each person has distinct roles, yet they share one essence—united in nature, will, and purpose.
This means the work of the Holy Spirit is never disconnected from the Father or the Son, though it is uniquely his to carry out.
This article outlines 12 works the Holy Spirit does in people’s lives—according to the New Testament.
Each one is rooted in Scripture and designed to help believers grow in faith, holiness, and confidence.
1. The Holy Spirit Convicts Unbelievers of Sin
One of the first things the Holy Spirit does is convict people of sin.
He works in the hearts of unbelievers to persuade them that they are sinners in need of a Savior—Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 2:5). The Bible teaches that all people fall short of God’s moral standards (Rom. 3:23).
To become a Christian, a person must:
- Confess their sin
- Turn away from it
- Trust in Jesus for forgiveness and salvation (Mark 1:15; 1 John 1:9)
Jesus said this would be one of the Spirit’s primary roles after his ascension:
“It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment”
(John 16:7–8, ESV)
Conviction is where the Spirit’s work begins—but it’s far from where it ends.
Note: One of the most common questions people have about the Holy Spirit is offending Him in an unforgivable way. See What is Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? to learn more.
2. The Holy Spirit Regenerates Unbelievers
Another work the Holy Spirit does is regenerate people who believe in Jesus.
According to the Bible, all people are born sinful (Rom. 3:23; cf. 1 Kings 8:14). Because of this, they can’t enter the kingdom of God on their own.
To receive eternal life, a person must be born again—regenerated through repentance and belief in Jesus Christ (Mark 1:15; John 3:16).
The word regenerate means “to start anew” or “originate again.”
Jesus made this clear when he spoke with Nicodemus about salvation:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again’”
(John 3:5–7, ESV)
New birth is not just a fresh start—it’s a spiritual transformation the Holy Spirit brings about.
3. The Holy Spirit Seals Believers
One of the things the Holy Spirit does is seal Christians with God’s ownership and protection.
The Apostle Paul taught this clearly in 2 Corinthians 1:22 and Ephesians 1:13.
In the New Testament, the Greek word translated “seal” (sphragizo) often referred to a wax imprint pressed onto a scroll—a symbol of identity, authority, and security.
In spiritual terms, the seal of the Holy Spirit means that believers belong to God and are safe in him.
“He has put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee”
(2 Corinthians 1:22)
“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit”
(Ephesians 1:13)
The Spirit’s seal is God’s mark of ownership and a promise that he will fulfill his work of salvation.
The Holy Spirit lives inside every genuine Christian. The Bible teaches that He gives gifts to every believer for their use and for God’s glory. See What are the Gifts of the Holy Spirit? to learn more.
4. The Holy Spirit Assures Believers of Salvation
Another key work the Holy Spirit does is give believers assurance that they truly belong to God.
Even sincere Christians sometimes struggle with doubt—wondering if their sins are really forgiven or if they’re genuinely children of God (John 1:12).
But the Bible teaches that assurance doesn’t come from emotion—it comes from the Spirit.
“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”
(Romans 8:16)
Pastor John Piper explains it this way:
“The assurance of the believer is not that God will save him even if he stops believing, but that God will keep him believing—God will sustain you in faith, He will make your hope firm and stable to the end. He will cause you to persevere.”
The Holy Spirit assures us—not by removing every question—but by anchoring our identity in God’s promise, not our performance.
Does the Holy Spirit produce a physical sensation inside people when He indwells them and acts in their mind and hearts? See What Does the Holy Spirit Feel Like? to learn more.
5. The Holy Spirit Sanctifies Believers
One ongoing work the Holy Spirit does is help believers grow in holiness and Christlikeness.
This process is called sanctification, which means being “set apart” for God’s purposes.
The English word sanctify comes from the same Greek root as holy (hagiasmos), and refers to how God shapes a person’s heart, character, and lifestyle over time.
Sanctification isn’t just about avoiding sin—it’s about becoming more like Jesus.
The Spirit constantly works in believers to mature their faith and produce Christlike fruit.
Peter wrote:
“You were chosen… through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ…”
(1 Peter 1:2)
Paul told the Thessalonians:
“God chose you… through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.”
(2 Thessalonians 2:13)
The Spirit doesn’t just save us—he transforms us.
6. The Holy Spirit Promotes Christlikeness in Believers
One of the most visible things the Holy Spirit does is shape believers to become more like Jesus.
Romans 8:29 says that God’s plan is to conform believers “to the image of his Son.”
That means growing in how we think, speak, act, and love—just like Jesus.
Christlikeness is the goal of Christian maturity.
It affects our words, deeds, motives, desires, values, and priorities.
One way the Holy Spirit produces this transformation is through what the Bible calls the fruit of the Spirit:
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
(Galatians 5:22–23)
By displaying these traits, believers reflect the character of Christ—and show the world who he is.
7. The Holy Spirit Intercedes for Believers
Sometimes believers don’t know how to pray.
Life can be overwhelming—marked by sorrow, exhaustion, or confusion. In those moments, the Holy Spirit prays on our behalf.
God doesn’t leave his children to struggle alone.
He sends the Spirit to intercede with perfect wisdom and divine compassion.
“The Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”
(Romans 8:26–27)
As the NLT translates it: “The Holy Spirit prays for us.”
Even when you can’t find the words—he can.
8. The Holy Spirit Illuminates the Bible for Believers
God inspired the words of Scripture—but we need the Holy Spirit to truly understand them.
Anyone can read a Bible story or proverb and grasp its surface meaning. But illumination is different. It’s the work the Holy Spirit does to help believers see the truth beneath the words—and respond in faith.
Illumination leads to insight, conviction, application, and belief.
It’s how head knowledge becomes heart transformation.
Paul describes this in 1 Corinthians:
“Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.
And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.”
(1 Corinthians 2:12–13)
The Spirit opens our eyes to the truth—and our hearts to respond to it.
9. The Holy Spirit Gives Spiritual Gifts to Believers
When someone believes in Jesus, the Holy Spirit indwells them—and gives them spiritual gifts.
Paul writes that the Spirit “apportions to each one individually as he wills” (1 Cor. 12:11b).
These gifts are meant to build up the Church, and it’s not uncommon for someone to have more than one.
Spiritual gifts are not earned.
They’re given freely by the Spirit, for God’s purposes, not our own.
Paul emphasizes the source of these gifts again and again:
“There are a variety of gifts but the same Spirit… it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone… all these are empowered by one and the same Spirit.”
(1 Corinthians 12:4–6, 11a)
Because every gift comes from the same Spirit, they promote unity—not competition—within the body of Christ.
10. The Holy Spirit Guides Believers
The Holy Spirit helps believers make wise decisions.
Sometimes that means choosing between right and wrong.
Other times, it’s about choosing between two good options—and needing God’s wisdom to decide.
The Spirit guides us through prayer, Scripture, wise counsel, and inner conviction.
Paul writes in Galatians:
“Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit… to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”
(Galatians 5:16–18)
The Spirit leads us toward righteousness—away from sin and into wisdom.
11. The Holy Spirit Unites Believers
Believers don’t create unity—
they’re called to protect the unity the Spirit has already given them.
Joni Eareckson Tada once said,
“Believers are never told to become one; we already are one and are expected to act like it.”
Unity among Christians glorifies God
because it shows that he is more valuable than our differences, preferences, or biases.
Paul writes in Ephesians:
“I… urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling… with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
(Ephesians 4:1–3)
The Spirit unites us—and calls us to live like it’s true.
12. The Holy Spirit Gives Believers Their Resurrected Bodies
The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead will one day raise us, too.
Just as he brought dry bones to life in Ezekiel’s vision (Ezek. 37:1–14),
the Holy Spirit will resurrect our mortal bodies at the return of Christ.
Paul writes:
“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you,
he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies
through his Spirit who dwells in you.”
(Romans 8:11)
The Holy Spirit doesn’t just help us live for God now—he guarantees we will live with God forever.
Doesn’t the Holy Spirit baptize people?
Yes—but not in the same way as the 12 works listed above.
Baptism of the Holy Spirit is an important New Testament teaching.
Some believe it happens at the moment of conversion.
Others believe it’s a second experience after someone has already become a Christian.
In either case, the Spirit is the element—but Jesus is the one who performs the baptism.
John the Baptist explained it this way:
“He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.”
(John 1:33)
That’s why this baptism isn’t listed as one of the Spirit’s works—because it’s something Jesus does, using the Spirit.
References:
[1] “Spontaneous Compassion” Tabletalk, p. 68.
[2] Source
[3] Source
Frequently Asked Questions About the Holy Spirit’s Work
Does the Holy Spirit still do these things today?
Yes. The Holy Spirit continues to carry out all 12 of these works in the lives of believers today—convicting, guiding, transforming, empowering, and assuring people of their salvation. His ministry didn’t stop with the apostles.
What’s the difference between the Holy Spirit’s indwelling and his filling?
The indwelling of the Spirit happens once—when someone believes in Jesus (Rom. 8:9).
The filling of the Spirit happens repeatedly—when believers yield to his control (Eph. 5:18).
Indwelling is about presence. Filling is about influence.
How can I know if the Holy Spirit is working in my life?
Look for signs of conviction, growth in Christlike character, deeper understanding of Scripture, and love for God and others.
The Spirit often works quietly—but his fruit is visible over time (Gal. 5:22–23).
Do all Christians have spiritual gifts?
Yes. Every believer receives at least one spiritual gift when the Spirit comes to dwell in them (1 Cor. 12:7). These gifts are given to serve others and build up the Church—not to elevate ourselves.
Why isn’t the baptism of the Holy Spirit on the list of 12 works?
Because the Bible presents Jesus—not the Spirit—as the one who baptizes people with the Holy Spirit (John 1:33). That’s why it’s a work involving the Spirit, but not one the Spirit performs directly.
