Psychological Aspects of the Filling of the Holy Spirit: A Preliminary Model of Post-Redemptive Personality Functioning

Abstract

A preliminary model is presented describing applications of the filling of the Holy Spirit to psychological aspects of Christian living. Anthropological deficits in secular psychology and evangelical systems are described. Related topics include expectancy, defense mechanisms, self-image, and cognitive appraisal. The concept of “biblical humanism” is applied to new creations in Christ as a function of the ongoing filling of the Holy Spirit. Although many Christian clients have considerable spiritual resources, their ability to organize and access them effectively can be seriously impaired unless they are able to apply the integrative, dynamic resource of the Holy Spirit actively to their life development and stress challenges on a continuous basis. Truly Christian counseling must ultimately include addressing the activities of the Holy Spirit in Christian living at some level.