I have no idea what your first thought was when you read the title but I have to hope it grabbed your attention and caused you to want to dig deeper. I guess if it offended you rather than intrigued you, you wouldn’t have made it this far. If you want to know why I would use “Holy S*****” as a title read on but let me warn you; this post will continue to use coarse language that isn’t often used or its meaning discussed in Christian circles today.

For the first time in a while a post will not mention my health.

I guess that was a lie. By saying a post will not mention my health, I have mentioned my health. Holy S*****, why didn’t I recognize that mistake before I made it. Well now that I have brought it up I might as well fill you in on the latest. The neuromuscular disease that I have based on my symptoms, I do not have. This is good and bad. Good because my regular biyearly neck procedures which, by the way, took place yesterday and the second will take place next Wednesday, require being put under and with this disease it can be very dangerous to be put under. Bad because I still have all these symptoms and no answer. Holy S***** I need guidance as I search for the cause of these symptoms.

I am hoping there are still a few people left reading this post.

We know there are words/topics that we don’t use/discuss ever. We know there are words/topics we don’t use/discuss in mixed company. We know there are words/topics that once were used/discussed but are no longer used/discussed as they are out of fashion. Holy S***** is one of those words/topics that has slowly slipped out of our list of acceptable words/topics in the church.

Let me backtrack a bit.

The words “Holy S*****” are still in use because they are in the Bible and the topic still comes up because, well, it’s in the Bible, but it is treated like a dirty phrase or at least a topic that must be given limited attention. Just like any words/topics that we don’t fully understand, we aren’t comfortable talking about or we have plain deemed taboo, “Holy S*****” has been pushed out of the church, out of the pulpit and out of the lives of many who follow Christ.

The powerlessness of Christ followers who don’t embrace the “Holy Sp****”

I don’t know if you have figured it out yet but I am not referring to the vulgarity often heard, holy s*** but rather the promised power that dwells in each one who follows Jesus the Christ, the Holy Spi***. Why do I treat them the same when including them in this post? It is simple; many Christians, many church leaders, many churches treat them the same. They are at best words to be used only in certain, unavoidable situations. When around other followers of Christ often both sets of words are uttered followed by an implied or even articulated apology. I would even go as far as to suggest that because of the rarity of followers of Christ seeking or even recognizing a move of the Holy Spir**, if they were to encounter or better still be overcome and used mightily by the Holy Spiri* they would be so shocked that they may even utter the other bad words, holy s***.

I will risk it and put into print the dirty words, Holy Spirit!

That’s right I said it and I meant it. Not only did I say it, I embrace the work of the Holy Spirit in my life and in my ministry. The Holy Spirit is power that cannot be replicated by man. The words that come out of the mouths of those who work in the power of God’s Spirit do not sooth the sinful nature of mankind. The message preached under the direct influence of the Holy Spirit does not permit, promote or pass over the lies of Satan.

The Holy Spirit does not seek to match a culture in order to reach it but rather promotes Christ as the counter culture way to save those who are caught up in the culture. The problem is we use the power of marketing to promote our faith which requires the “product” to appeal to the consumer. There is nothing in the gospel message that appeals to the North American consumer who is told over and over again by the culture to do what makes you feel good because they are what is most important.

Here is part of the first presentation of the gospel after the Holy Spirit was given:

…Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him… Acts 2:22-24 (NIV)

That’s not a great marketing plan used by the Holy Spirit through Peter

You saw all the signs that this guy was sent by God but you joined the evil people, you killed God’s guy but he came back to life because this guy can’t stay dead and yet we are told that about 3000 became followers of Christ that day.

It’s time we stopped letting popularity seeking pastors preach messages that itching ears want to hear in order to fill churches, bank accounts and egos. Their message is not inspired by the Holy Spirit but rather by Satan the deceiver. Satan’s first deception was to make The Holy Spirit a bad word and the power of the Holy Spirit a taboo topic for Christ followers.