What Does It Mean to Resist the Holy Ghost?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to Acts 6-9 and a lesson titled “What Wilt Thou Have Me to Do?” The following counsel preceded the lesson: “Begin by reading Acts 6-9. The suggestions in this outline can help you identify some of the important principles in these chapters, though you may find others in your own study.” The lesson was introduced with this paragraph: 

If anyone seemed like an unlikely candidate for conversion, it was probably Saul – a Pharisee who had a reputation for persecuting Christians. So when the Lord told a disciple named Ananias to seek out Saul and offer him a blessing, Ananias was understandably hesitant. “Lord,” he said, “I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints” (Acts 9:13). But the Lord knew Saul’s heart and his potential, and He had a mission in mind for Saul: “He is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15). So Ananias obeyed, and when he found this former persecutor, he called him “Brother Saul” (Acts 9:17). If Saul could change so completely and Ananias could welcome him so freely, then should we ever consider anyone an unlikely candidate for change – including ourselves?

Have you ever wondered what the Lord would have you do? You may have worked tirelessly for your entire life to live the gospel of Jesus Christ. Yet, life is not going the way that you expect it to go. If so, you may be able to identify with Saul, who thought that he was doing God’s will when he persecuted and supported the killing of Christians.

The principle for discussion tonight is, “Resisting the Holy Ghost can lead to rejecting the Savior and His servants” (Acts 6-7). The leaders of the Jews were responsible for preparing the Jewish people for the coming of the Messiah. Yet, they did not recognize the Messiah when He came, and they even rejected Him and crucified Him. It is perfectly normal for us to wonder how such a thing could happen.

However, part of the answer may be found in the words of Stephen to the Jews who later stoned him: “Ye do always resist the Holy Ghost” (Acts 7:51). Before discussing what it means to resist the Holy Ghost, we should first learn more about Him. The Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead. The first member is God the Father, the second member is Jesus Christ, and the third member is the Holy Ghost. The Godhead is like a presidency or bishopric with the president or bishop, the first counselor, and the second counselor. Holy Ghost (churchofjesuschrist.org)

God the Father and Jesus Christ have bodies of flesh and bones, but the Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit (Doctrine and Covenants 130:22). The Holy Ghost has other names, such as the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of the Lord, or the Comforter.

The Holy Ghost has several roles to fulfill as He works in perfect unity with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in their work “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). His duties include being a witness for the Father and the Son (2 Nephi 31:18) and revealing and teaching “the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:5). It is through the witness of the Holy Ghost that we can receive sure testimonies of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

The Holy Ghost will guide all sincere seekers of truth to Jesus Christ and His gospel. After a person is baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Days, he or she is confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ by the laying on of hands by men who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood. As part of the blessing, the newly baptized person is given the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Having the gift of the Holy Ghost is not the same thing as feeling the influence of the Holy Ghost. Anyone in the world can feel the influence of the Holy Ghost at times and can be led to know the truth. After receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, a person has the right to have the Holy Ghost with them constantly if they keep the commandments.

The Holy Ghost is a guide. He prompts us to take certain actions. He brings information to our remembrance. He confirms correct decisions. He gives numerous promptings. He speaks with a quiet voice to our heart and mind. If we pay attention to His guidance, He will guide us along the covenant path to eternal life. If we do not listen to him, resist Him, or ignore His promptings, we may step off the covenant path and fall away from the gospel of Jesus Christ into apostasy. This was the condition of the Jewish leaders who did not recognize their Messiah.