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Knowing the Spirit: Who He Is, What He Does, and How He Can Transform Your Christian Life
Explore what the Bible really says about the Holy Spirit and what it means to see the power of the Holy Spirit at work in your life. Whether intentionally or not, many Christians today seek health, wealth, and happiness by summoning the Holy Spirit like a genie to grant their wishes. When things don't go the way they think they should, disappointment and disillusionment abound. But it doesn't have to be this way. In Knowing the Spirit , author, pastor, and speaker Costi Hinn shows you why a relationship with the Holy Spirit is the most important next step on your journey as a Christian. Using clear and sound interpretation of Scripture, Costi clarifies who the Holy Spirit is--and who he isn't--and answers some of the most important and most frequently asked questions about him, such This book is only the beginning of your journey of knowing and loving the Holy Spirit. With the solid and biblical foundation presented in these pages, the Holy Spirit is someone you will confidently walk with every day for the rest of your life.
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Published September 12, 2023
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About the author
Costi W. Hinn
12 books163 followersCosti W. Hinn is a pastor and author who is passionate about equipping Christians to boldly live out the gospel of Jesus Christ. His stand for truth and refutation of the prosperity gospel have been featured on CNN and in Christianity Today and in numerous other publications. He is married to the love of his life, Christyne, and they have three children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
January 21, 2024
Costi Hinn is a great teacher and author, and he did a great job with this book! He covers some important and controversial topics regarding the Holy Spirit in a straightforward and biblical way, yet it’s also very accessible. I think this book is so needed for believers today. I may write a longer review on my blog in the near future, but this is definitely a book I would recommend!
January 1, 2026
Ok, authors. If you have NOT been trained in how to narrate an audio book, GET A PROFESSIONAL TO DO SO. I seriously am getting tired of farfing about with the volume on my daily commute. It's dangerous! 1 star docked!
Ok, now that that is out of the way, the majority of this book convicted me and it will most assuredly be a re-listen during the Lenten season. The parts about the speaking and tongues and whatnot didn't really affect me one way or another, other than learning about how some people think worship should go that is really....far from my thoughts, but good to hear the POV of others.
Its good that the Spirit is getting His due. I always felt He didn't get as much screen time as the Father and the Son. It's important to know all three aspects of the Trinity.
4, this would have been five but a better narrator is really necessary, stars.
My thanks to libro.fm and Zondervan for an ALC of this book to listen to and review.
Ok, now that that is out of the way, the majority of this book convicted me and it will most assuredly be a re-listen during the Lenten season. The parts about the speaking and tongues and whatnot didn't really affect me one way or another, other than learning about how some people think worship should go that is really....far from my thoughts, but good to hear the POV of others.
Its good that the Spirit is getting His due. I always felt He didn't get as much screen time as the Father and the Son. It's important to know all three aspects of the Trinity.
4, this would have been five but a better narrator is really necessary, stars.
My thanks to libro.fm and Zondervan for an ALC of this book to listen to and review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2024
Answering practices that are used by modern preachers like slain the spirits. I thought the author was cessationist for the last books I read emphasizes more on malpractice or extreme right theology. This book is more balanced in the explanation about pneumatology.
April 10, 2024
The book I wish I had read as a young believer. Clear, kind, to the point, and it left me with more desire for scripture and prayer. I listened to the audiobook which is read by the author. I plan to add to my kids required reading list.
March 23, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"If you come from a place of confusion, this book will bring clarity." - TRUE.
The book graciously takes you through Scripture - what the Bible teaches about Holy Spirit, its doings and its gifts. Costi lovingly but firmly touches most of the relevant 21st century issues, too. Since there are so many misconceptions (and, truly, confusions) about the Spirit, we should all learn until we have come to a biblical conviction in these popular ideas. Costi's book would be the first to go to!
*"Truth must always under-gird our worship."
*"Spirit filled worship prioritizes truth in the midst of passion."
*"Your passions can lie to you. Hitler was passionate. Criminals are passionate. False teachers are passionate. [..] There's nothing wrong with passion in and of itself. [..] Passion just must be rooted in God's truth." - tātad neder arguments "bet viņš ir tik dedzīgs!" vai "bet tā draudze ir tik dedzīga!" - jo, vai tā ir Dieva Vārdam sekojoša draudze? Vai mācītājs māca to, kas Bībelē, vai izrauj dažus pantus ārpus konteksta un sludina pavisam ko citu (vai kaut ko it kā līdzīgu, bet būtībā citu, kas ir vēl slidenāk)? Dedzība ir laba, bet tai IR jāsakņojas Dieva Vārdā. Mācītājam IR jābūt vēlmei dzīties izprast Dieva Vārdu arvien skaidrāk un kontekstā.
*A pastor or a small group leader who doesn't warn his people about false teachers is disobedient to God.
*"If you want to hear Spirit, read the Bible. If you want to hear the Spirit audibly, read the Bible aloud."
*Slayings in the Spirit are not in the Old Testament and they are not in the New Testament either (Costi helps to sort through the "slaying proof texts"). Costi himself has been a part of this movement, and he helps to see five possible scenarios of what is happening:
1.People think they have to fall down.
2.People are told they are going to fall down.
3.People want to fall down.
4.People are faking it (Costi has personally heard those stories from friends).
5.It is demonic. (Costi shows that in the Bible these kind of manifestations happened only under demonic influence, not under the influence of the Holy Spirit).
One of the five is happening every time somebody falls down, presumably under the power of the Holy Spirit... This list (and Costi's explanation of each point in the book) should give some food for thought.
What's more: the same manifestation is present in kundalini practice around the world... That should say something.
Although I touched mostly in my review on the "popular/21st century" issues, the book gives solid biblical teaching on the Holy Spirit from Scripture and is worth reading for the theology part alone. Highly recommended.
p.s. I listened to an audiobook which was read by Costi Hinn himself. It definitely will help you hear his loving tone of voice and genuine concern for every listener.
"If you come from a place of confusion, this book will bring clarity." - TRUE.
The book graciously takes you through Scripture - what the Bible teaches about Holy Spirit, its doings and its gifts. Costi lovingly but firmly touches most of the relevant 21st century issues, too. Since there are so many misconceptions (and, truly, confusions) about the Spirit, we should all learn until we have come to a biblical conviction in these popular ideas. Costi's book would be the first to go to!
*"Truth must always under-gird our worship."
*"Spirit filled worship prioritizes truth in the midst of passion."
*"Your passions can lie to you. Hitler was passionate. Criminals are passionate. False teachers are passionate. [..] There's nothing wrong with passion in and of itself. [..] Passion just must be rooted in God's truth." - tātad neder arguments "bet viņš ir tik dedzīgs!" vai "bet tā draudze ir tik dedzīga!" - jo, vai tā ir Dieva Vārdam sekojoša draudze? Vai mācītājs māca to, kas Bībelē, vai izrauj dažus pantus ārpus konteksta un sludina pavisam ko citu (vai kaut ko it kā līdzīgu, bet būtībā citu, kas ir vēl slidenāk)? Dedzība ir laba, bet tai IR jāsakņojas Dieva Vārdā. Mācītājam IR jābūt vēlmei dzīties izprast Dieva Vārdu arvien skaidrāk un kontekstā.
*A pastor or a small group leader who doesn't warn his people about false teachers is disobedient to God.
*"If you want to hear Spirit, read the Bible. If you want to hear the Spirit audibly, read the Bible aloud."
*Slayings in the Spirit are not in the Old Testament and they are not in the New Testament either (Costi helps to sort through the "slaying proof texts"). Costi himself has been a part of this movement, and he helps to see five possible scenarios of what is happening:
1.People think they have to fall down.
2.People are told they are going to fall down.
3.People want to fall down.
4.People are faking it (Costi has personally heard those stories from friends).
5.It is demonic. (Costi shows that in the Bible these kind of manifestations happened only under demonic influence, not under the influence of the Holy Spirit).
One of the five is happening every time somebody falls down, presumably under the power of the Holy Spirit... This list (and Costi's explanation of each point in the book) should give some food for thought.
What's more: the same manifestation is present in kundalini practice around the world... That should say something.
Although I touched mostly in my review on the "popular/21st century" issues, the book gives solid biblical teaching on the Holy Spirit from Scripture and is worth reading for the theology part alone. Highly recommended.
p.s. I listened to an audiobook which was read by Costi Hinn himself. It definitely will help you hear his loving tone of voice and genuine concern for every listener.
February 9, 2025
Solid and respectful of scripture.
February 12, 2026
LOVED THIS BOOK. I'm a big Costi Hinn fan and love his autobiography (God, Greed and the Prosperity Gospel). I loved him using scripture to unpack the Holy Spirit and his role in our lives. Coming from a charismatic faith background, I don't always know how to think about the Holy Spirit in light of my past experiences. I think my biggest takeaway is "the central mission of the Holy Spirit is to glorify, exalt, and uplift Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself stated that the Holy Spirit "shall glorify me; for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you" (John 16:14)."
June 18, 2024
Great resource to learn more about the Holy Spirit!
March 9, 2026
This was such an interesting book. I loved the first half ish especially. It was great how he laid out and explained so many things from all perspectives before sharing his own. I haven’t read anything from anyone who has grow up and been a major part of some very problematic charismatic circles. I have heard many of these examples and he did a great job explaining with scripture why some of these practices are not aligned. I found the last chapter on unity very convicting.
I don’t fully agree with all of his stances from chapter 10. I 1000% agree with him that everything needs to be tied to scripture. I appreciated how he explained nudges in a way of having the spirit working through you and your thoughts. I do think there is validity in receiving dreams and images or being reminded of experiences in your life during prayer, which I wish he touched on because his stance was not fully clear. Again, I agree that when you experience this through the spirit it needs to be backed up by scripture and God’s character. In the beginning of Acts, we see Peter get an image from the spirit which helps him then later understand how gentiles and Jews can be together and the old ways before Christ are not the same. This image he received helped him to understand this. So, it makes sense that dreams or images during listening prayer can help us to become more like Jesus and understand him better too. So, I am not sure the author fully disagrees with this or just didn’t touch on it. I really like though how he clarified that part of this is how you are wording things and how we need to be wary of saying “God told me this” etc. I completely agree. Overall, I found this very helpful to explain some things and some interesting experiences tied in with scripture as well. I would recommend with the caveat of what I mentioned about chapter 10.
I don’t fully agree with all of his stances from chapter 10. I 1000% agree with him that everything needs to be tied to scripture. I appreciated how he explained nudges in a way of having the spirit working through you and your thoughts. I do think there is validity in receiving dreams and images or being reminded of experiences in your life during prayer, which I wish he touched on because his stance was not fully clear. Again, I agree that when you experience this through the spirit it needs to be backed up by scripture and God’s character. In the beginning of Acts, we see Peter get an image from the spirit which helps him then later understand how gentiles and Jews can be together and the old ways before Christ are not the same. This image he received helped him to understand this. So, it makes sense that dreams or images during listening prayer can help us to become more like Jesus and understand him better too. So, I am not sure the author fully disagrees with this or just didn’t touch on it. I really like though how he clarified that part of this is how you are wording things and how we need to be wary of saying “God told me this” etc. I completely agree. Overall, I found this very helpful to explain some things and some interesting experiences tied in with scripture as well. I would recommend with the caveat of what I mentioned about chapter 10.
July 19, 2024
I wish I could give this (and Holiness by JC Ryle and The Gospel According to Jesus by John MacArthur) 6 stars. So clear, easy to read, charitable to different sides, and Biblically solid. I wish all of my friends would read it, but I suspect my continuationist friends would be reluctant. He really was so kind to all parties. I really appreciate his whole ministry and it is a miracle that he has become the man he has today, in spite of being raised in the Benny Hinn ministry.
June 22, 2025
Costi Hinn’s past experiences in the charismatic church and prosperity gospel (specifically under false teachers) makes him an authority on the subjects of the misuse and misunderstanding of the Holy Spirit. Besides his personal experience, though, he uses a ton of scripture as the primary support of his claims.
Four stars only because it’s almost like he tried to cover too much. The chapters felt like sermons. He touches on the fruit of the spirit, diety, salvation, apostleship, worship, “hearing” from God, and many other doctrines. He put an emphasis on spiritual gifts and knowing how to live in unity with brothers and sisters who may differ on second and third tear doctrinal issues, which was where I found the most relevant application at this stage of my life.
Four stars only because it’s almost like he tried to cover too much. The chapters felt like sermons. He touches on the fruit of the spirit, diety, salvation, apostleship, worship, “hearing” from God, and many other doctrines. He put an emphasis on spiritual gifts and knowing how to live in unity with brothers and sisters who may differ on second and third tear doctrinal issues, which was where I found the most relevant application at this stage of my life.
September 19, 2023
A short work on the Holy Spirit. The strength comes from Costi Hinn's background, so he can speak from a certain perspective to issues regarding the Holy Spirit. This would be a good introductory work on the subject. Hinn gets to most of the areas of controversy, laying out the different positions and the Bible warrant for his own.
October 15, 2024
5 stars for this read!!!!
Super thoughtful, rooted in Scripture, and discussed with nuance and grace. Hinn treats people with all perspectives with love and generosity and seeks to preserve peace for what can quickly become a decisive topic in the church! Loved this one!
Super thoughtful, rooted in Scripture, and discussed with nuance and grace. Hinn treats people with all perspectives with love and generosity and seeks to preserve peace for what can quickly become a decisive topic in the church! Loved this one!
February 23, 2026
Excellent Scripture based book that is also very gracious on topics in which there can be different conclusions from Scripture. Highly recommend.
October 7, 2025
More of a reminder for me but still good, definitely something I’d recommend for a newer believer
September 26, 2023
Having just come out of a charismatic church that taught tongues as evidence, recently started giving “words of knowledge” for healing, and is rapidly pursuing NAR and WOF type teachings, I have been hungry for a proper understanding of the Holy Spirit. Costi’s ministry in general has been very helpful for me, so this book sounded like a perfect fit. It answered so many questions and points that I wasn’t totally clear on. I feel like there’s not much he didn’t address. I think he addressed the conflicting issues with grace and compassion, while also calling believers of any “side” to take a look at themselves. He calls believers to accountability, which is what should be done.
If you are confused on the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts, etc. or are coming out of NAR or word of faith teaching, I would 1,000 times recommend this book.
Thank you, Costi.
If you are confused on the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts, etc. or are coming out of NAR or word of faith teaching, I would 1,000 times recommend this book.
Thank you, Costi.
September 18, 2023
I had the pleasure of receiving Costi Hinn's new book, Knowing the Holy Spirit, as a gift, and I wanted to review it briefly.
Hinn states at the outset of the book's introduction, "If you've come from a place of confusion, this book will bring clarity. If you have never experienced abuse and chaos regarding his work, you'll have little to deconstruct, but I hope this book will serve you in a foundational way as well."
In essence, I think this line of the introduction summarizes well what one can expect: a primer on the Holy Spirit that particularly has a pastoral heart, especially for those who may have been plagued by poor doctrine and ill-informed experiences. There are eleven chapters, and the first four focus on pneumatology broadly. Chapter one speaks to who the Holy Spirit is, two speaks to how we encounter the Holy Spirit, three on the Holy Spirit's role in sanctification, and four, what it means to walk in the Spirit.
Following these chapters, Hinn speaks to several issues that surface in contemporary discussions, such as the baptism of the Holy Spirit, Gifts of the Spirit, what worship looks like in the Spirit, being slain in the Spirit, and so forth. While these chapters certainly contribute to articulating the book's overall doctrine of the Holy Spirit, they do so by addressing common controversies.
What I found particularly helpful are the breaks at the end of each chapter that move into practical applications, and this is followed up with questions for reflections. This means that the book can easily be transferred into a small group setting.
The book's format is excellent, and the organization of various sections within the book is beneficial. When I say this, I'm especially thinking of bullet points that are provided where concepts or topics are broken down into lists. These lists bolster the book's overall accessibility but also contribute to how easy it would be to come back and reference later.
While there is a chance you won't agree with everything you read, I'm confident that regardless of where you land on hot-button issues (I.e., the gifts), you'll enjoy the book.
Most of the book is a gold mine of quotables and "amens." For example, Costi emphasizes that the Holy Spirit is not an "it" but a he and challenges readers to put this into practice, or Costi's balanced approach regarding worship and worship concerning cultural differences.
Or take, for example, Costi's grace towards those who disagree with him on gifts but who can be united with him against the hyper-charismatics. The list goes on, but one of my favorite sections of the book was "bringing clarity to misleading phrases" on whether "the Spirit speaks," as Hinn suggests ways to better articulate impressions of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives. The section was an unexpected but pleasant surprise.
With all of these positives, it wouldn't be a balanced review without mentioning at least one negative, yet any criticisms I can think of are "nitpicky." For example, in chapter one, when Costi summarizes the historical theology around the Holy Spirit but places pneumatology's conclusion at Nicaea via Constantine (325) when the creed produced at Nicaea did not deal with pneumatology conclusively but instead led to calls for greater clarity on the subject given its vague declaration on the Holy Spirit.
Instead, it was in the expansion of 381 at Constantinople following the work of Athanasius and the Cappadocians who dealt with the Macedonians (or Pneumatomachi/Spirit fighters), that produced the Nicene Creed we generally think of (381) with its corresponding expansions on the Holy Spirit (and the later controversy over the Filioque).
As I said, this is nitpicky, especially since Costi's focus was not on historical theology. Hopefully, this can demonstrate to potential readers that this book doesn't have many negatives, even with any disagreements you may have on the hot-button issues.
It’s just a great book to pick up and discuss.
Some additional points on this book:
Extremely practical: the book is highly practical in the advice provided.
Biblically loaded: this book is heavily loaded with scriptural references for readers to open up as they read and study. Costi, throughout the book, encourages readers to do just that: open up their Bible.
Firm but gentle: the book is firm yet tactful in its critiques of various movements. It says what needs to be said, but it exemplifies the proper way to do it (cf. 1 Tim. 1:5 for ex.)
Pastoral: you can hear Hinn's pastoral heart throughout the book.
Balanced: Hinn is balanced when speaking on the subjects he disagrees with (such as his position on cessationism). I was particularly impressed with his discussions in Traditional Pentecostals and "Open-but-cautious-continuationists and reformed charismatics."
Well executed: the book is well-written, well-organized, and accessible. This book's layout, structure, and accessibility make it an excellent go-to as an intro on the Holy Spirit. Hinn's contribution to the subject can easily be a discipleship tool for those first working out the doctrine or those needing to move into a proper understanding after coming out of a hyper-charismatic setting.
Overall, I highly recommend this book and will likely be recommending it in the future when I am asked for resources on Pnemnatology.
A couple of notable quotes:
“Want to encounter the Holy Spirit? Do less! Yes, you read that correctly. Stop chasing encounter after encounter, conference after conference, and feeling after feeling. The Holy Spirit invades your life not through feelings but through faith. Feelings undoubtedly will be a byproduct of faith, but faith is the foundation.”
“Many people in the church today think that merely reading the Bible is going to change them. But merely reading words isn't the power, the Spirit working through the Word is the power. Thisis why some people check off all of the boxes in their annual Bible reading plan but get frustrated that they experience no transformation and acquire no greater understanding of God. They are disciplined in their reading but neglect to ask the Spirit to illuminate the Word. How slippery is the slope of morally good works without the power of the Spirit opening our eyes and changing our hearts. This is empty religion at its peak. Nothing happens outside of the Spirit's power.”
Hinn states at the outset of the book's introduction, "If you've come from a place of confusion, this book will bring clarity. If you have never experienced abuse and chaos regarding his work, you'll have little to deconstruct, but I hope this book will serve you in a foundational way as well."
In essence, I think this line of the introduction summarizes well what one can expect: a primer on the Holy Spirit that particularly has a pastoral heart, especially for those who may have been plagued by poor doctrine and ill-informed experiences. There are eleven chapters, and the first four focus on pneumatology broadly. Chapter one speaks to who the Holy Spirit is, two speaks to how we encounter the Holy Spirit, three on the Holy Spirit's role in sanctification, and four, what it means to walk in the Spirit.
Following these chapters, Hinn speaks to several issues that surface in contemporary discussions, such as the baptism of the Holy Spirit, Gifts of the Spirit, what worship looks like in the Spirit, being slain in the Spirit, and so forth. While these chapters certainly contribute to articulating the book's overall doctrine of the Holy Spirit, they do so by addressing common controversies.
What I found particularly helpful are the breaks at the end of each chapter that move into practical applications, and this is followed up with questions for reflections. This means that the book can easily be transferred into a small group setting.
The book's format is excellent, and the organization of various sections within the book is beneficial. When I say this, I'm especially thinking of bullet points that are provided where concepts or topics are broken down into lists. These lists bolster the book's overall accessibility but also contribute to how easy it would be to come back and reference later.
While there is a chance you won't agree with everything you read, I'm confident that regardless of where you land on hot-button issues (I.e., the gifts), you'll enjoy the book.
Most of the book is a gold mine of quotables and "amens." For example, Costi emphasizes that the Holy Spirit is not an "it" but a he and challenges readers to put this into practice, or Costi's balanced approach regarding worship and worship concerning cultural differences.
Or take, for example, Costi's grace towards those who disagree with him on gifts but who can be united with him against the hyper-charismatics. The list goes on, but one of my favorite sections of the book was "bringing clarity to misleading phrases" on whether "the Spirit speaks," as Hinn suggests ways to better articulate impressions of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives. The section was an unexpected but pleasant surprise.
With all of these positives, it wouldn't be a balanced review without mentioning at least one negative, yet any criticisms I can think of are "nitpicky." For example, in chapter one, when Costi summarizes the historical theology around the Holy Spirit but places pneumatology's conclusion at Nicaea via Constantine (325) when the creed produced at Nicaea did not deal with pneumatology conclusively but instead led to calls for greater clarity on the subject given its vague declaration on the Holy Spirit.
Instead, it was in the expansion of 381 at Constantinople following the work of Athanasius and the Cappadocians who dealt with the Macedonians (or Pneumatomachi/Spirit fighters), that produced the Nicene Creed we generally think of (381) with its corresponding expansions on the Holy Spirit (and the later controversy over the Filioque).
As I said, this is nitpicky, especially since Costi's focus was not on historical theology. Hopefully, this can demonstrate to potential readers that this book doesn't have many negatives, even with any disagreements you may have on the hot-button issues.
It’s just a great book to pick up and discuss.
Some additional points on this book:
Extremely practical: the book is highly practical in the advice provided.
Biblically loaded: this book is heavily loaded with scriptural references for readers to open up as they read and study. Costi, throughout the book, encourages readers to do just that: open up their Bible.
Firm but gentle: the book is firm yet tactful in its critiques of various movements. It says what needs to be said, but it exemplifies the proper way to do it (cf. 1 Tim. 1:5 for ex.)
Pastoral: you can hear Hinn's pastoral heart throughout the book.
Balanced: Hinn is balanced when speaking on the subjects he disagrees with (such as his position on cessationism). I was particularly impressed with his discussions in Traditional Pentecostals and "Open-but-cautious-continuationists and reformed charismatics."
Well executed: the book is well-written, well-organized, and accessible. This book's layout, structure, and accessibility make it an excellent go-to as an intro on the Holy Spirit. Hinn's contribution to the subject can easily be a discipleship tool for those first working out the doctrine or those needing to move into a proper understanding after coming out of a hyper-charismatic setting.
Overall, I highly recommend this book and will likely be recommending it in the future when I am asked for resources on Pnemnatology.
A couple of notable quotes:
“Want to encounter the Holy Spirit? Do less! Yes, you read that correctly. Stop chasing encounter after encounter, conference after conference, and feeling after feeling. The Holy Spirit invades your life not through feelings but through faith. Feelings undoubtedly will be a byproduct of faith, but faith is the foundation.”
“Many people in the church today think that merely reading the Bible is going to change them. But merely reading words isn't the power, the Spirit working through the Word is the power. Thisis why some people check off all of the boxes in their annual Bible reading plan but get frustrated that they experience no transformation and acquire no greater understanding of God. They are disciplined in their reading but neglect to ask the Spirit to illuminate the Word. How slippery is the slope of morally good works without the power of the Spirit opening our eyes and changing our hearts. This is empty religion at its peak. Nothing happens outside of the Spirit's power.”
August 3, 2025
4.75⭐️
Highly recommend this book to anyone! Believer or not, this book dives deep into not only who God and Jesus are, but how the Living Spirit dwells among and inside us.
The debates within this book are some of the most popular differing opinions within the Christian community and makes you take a hard look at how you’re viewing others.
Do you truly have God in mind with everything you do? Are you allowing the Spirit to guide your life?
Not a 5 because Hinn doesn’t capitalize the h in He when referencing God. Drives me crazy.
GO READ!
Highly recommend this book to anyone! Believer or not, this book dives deep into not only who God and Jesus are, but how the Living Spirit dwells among and inside us.
The debates within this book are some of the most popular differing opinions within the Christian community and makes you take a hard look at how you’re viewing others.
Do you truly have God in mind with everything you do? Are you allowing the Spirit to guide your life?
Not a 5 because Hinn doesn’t capitalize the h in He when referencing God. Drives me crazy.
GO READ!
October 21, 2023
First sentence: Years have passed since I was saved and began studying the Holy Spirit with the curiosity of Sherlock Holmes, but one trend continues to be prevalent: the Holy Spirit is quite possibly the most used and abused member of the Trinity.
Costi W. Hinn's newest book is Knowing the Spirit: Who He Is, What He Does, and How He Can Transform Your Christian Life. He writes with great balance--balancing practical application and theology. Both are key, in my opinion. This one does address the elephant in the room issues surrounding the Holy Spirit. Because there is such a broad spectrum of "Christian" believers who have strong opinions about WHO the Holy Spirit and WHAT he does. Hinn's approach is bible based, always. He goes beyond what this denomination or that denomination teaches. He goes beyond the experiential 'knowing' to see what the Word of God says--in both testaments--about the Holy Spirit. He also isn't trying to please everyone--surprise, you can't. Hinn stays grounded in the Word of God and what more can you ask for in a book. Yes, he tackles some difficult topics in this one.
I definitely enjoyed this one. I found it informative and well written.
His recommended bible study/bible application tool for reading passages.
Sin: Is there sin to confess or avoid?
Promise: Is there a promise God is making that is specifically for me?
Example: Is there an example in the passage that I should follow?
Command: Is there a command I should obey?
Knowledge: Is there knowledge about God that deepens worship and my relationship with him?
Favorite quote:
When it comes to the Holy Spirit, we need to make sure everything we believe lines up with Scripture. I’ve often heard this quote attributed to Charles Spurgeon (though I can never find the original source) that says, “Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right.”
Costi W. Hinn's newest book is Knowing the Spirit: Who He Is, What He Does, and How He Can Transform Your Christian Life. He writes with great balance--balancing practical application and theology. Both are key, in my opinion. This one does address the elephant in the room issues surrounding the Holy Spirit. Because there is such a broad spectrum of "Christian" believers who have strong opinions about WHO the Holy Spirit and WHAT he does. Hinn's approach is bible based, always. He goes beyond what this denomination or that denomination teaches. He goes beyond the experiential 'knowing' to see what the Word of God says--in both testaments--about the Holy Spirit. He also isn't trying to please everyone--surprise, you can't. Hinn stays grounded in the Word of God and what more can you ask for in a book. Yes, he tackles some difficult topics in this one.
I definitely enjoyed this one. I found it informative and well written.
His recommended bible study/bible application tool for reading passages.
Sin: Is there sin to confess or avoid?
Promise: Is there a promise God is making that is specifically for me?
Example: Is there an example in the passage that I should follow?
Command: Is there a command I should obey?
Knowledge: Is there knowledge about God that deepens worship and my relationship with him?
Favorite quote:
When it comes to the Holy Spirit, we need to make sure everything we believe lines up with Scripture. I’ve often heard this quote attributed to Charles Spurgeon (though I can never find the original source) that says, “Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right.”
June 6, 2024
“When studies show that only 6 percent of professing Christians have an accurate Christian worldview, and nearly 60 percent of those who identify as Christians do not believe the Holy Spirit is real, likening him to a chaotic Disney character is the last thing a professing Christian with a microphone should be doing. The truth is that the Holy Spirit is not funny and definitely is not silly. If he is sneaky, it's because you can't predict him or because in his sovereign power he does incredible things that you never see or know about. He's not at all like the genie from Aladdin, for he's not some magical force you can coerce and control with just the right phrase. He is active and powerful, and Scripture has made it possible for you and me to know enough about him that we need not be lured away from the truth by comical versions of him.
When it comes to the Holy Spirit, we need to make sure everything we believe lines up with Scripture. I've often heard this quote attributed to Charles Spurgeon (though I can never find the original source) that says, "Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right."
SUCH an important read. There is such a remarkable misunderstanding of the Holy Spirit today. I am particularly irked when I hear other believers referring to the Holy Spirit in misunderstanding, and this is an issue that needs immediate remedy in the Church.
Lots of incredible knowledge about the Holy Spirit be gained by reading this book. I was thoroughly fed and encouraged by Costi Hinn (the nephew of prosperity preacher Benny Hinn who came to saving faith in Christ). Costi is well-versed in the Word of God, and He makes understanding the Holy Spirit simple to understand with the practical usage of Scripture and context.
Great read. Arguably a “one-stop shop” for learning about the Holy Spirit from a Christian book. 5/5.
When it comes to the Holy Spirit, we need to make sure everything we believe lines up with Scripture. I've often heard this quote attributed to Charles Spurgeon (though I can never find the original source) that says, "Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right."
SUCH an important read. There is such a remarkable misunderstanding of the Holy Spirit today. I am particularly irked when I hear other believers referring to the Holy Spirit in misunderstanding, and this is an issue that needs immediate remedy in the Church.
Lots of incredible knowledge about the Holy Spirit be gained by reading this book. I was thoroughly fed and encouraged by Costi Hinn (the nephew of prosperity preacher Benny Hinn who came to saving faith in Christ). Costi is well-versed in the Word of God, and He makes understanding the Holy Spirit simple to understand with the practical usage of Scripture and context.
Great read. Arguably a “one-stop shop” for learning about the Holy Spirit from a Christian book. 5/5.
February 16, 2026
Costi Hinn is such an amazing and clear Bible teacher. I really loved this book a lot. He does an amazing job of explaining things from the Bible, not his own opinions and views.
Some things I learned:
1) The Holy Spirit is a “He”, not an “it”. (How often do I say this or pray specifically to the Holy Spirit?)
2)The Holy Spirit changes lives. He plays a role in regeneration, justification, sanctification, illumination, and preservation.
3) We walk in the Spirit when we are living in surrender to Him, not by just not doing “bad things” or not walking in the flesh.
4) Baptism of the Holy Spirit means being brought into the body of Christ. Filling of the of the Holy Spirit happens repeatedly and can be prayed for as we seek to live in yieldedness to God.
5) My personal view is definitely as a “classic-and-nuanced cessationist.” I believe sign gifts have ceased but God is also sovereign and can do whatever He pleases. But also, I was convicted by Hinn’s call to humility and unity in the church. Doctrine matters, but we should never divide over issues that do not distort the gospel.
6) We “hear the Spirit” by being so saturated in God’s Word that it pours out of us. “The leading of the Spirit will never be divorced from God’s Word.”
Fave quote:
“Does he guide into error? Emotionalism? Rationalism? Not in the slightest. He guides into truth. The same Holy Spirit who led the disciples into truth as their pens flowed with the breath of God and as they worked miracles in his name and proclaimed his message to Jews and gentiles resides in you. You are his temple. Romans 8:14 says, ‘All who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons and daughters of God.’”
Some things I learned:
1) The Holy Spirit is a “He”, not an “it”. (How often do I say this or pray specifically to the Holy Spirit?)
2)The Holy Spirit changes lives. He plays a role in regeneration, justification, sanctification, illumination, and preservation.
3) We walk in the Spirit when we are living in surrender to Him, not by just not doing “bad things” or not walking in the flesh.
4) Baptism of the Holy Spirit means being brought into the body of Christ. Filling of the of the Holy Spirit happens repeatedly and can be prayed for as we seek to live in yieldedness to God.
5) My personal view is definitely as a “classic-and-nuanced cessationist.” I believe sign gifts have ceased but God is also sovereign and can do whatever He pleases. But also, I was convicted by Hinn’s call to humility and unity in the church. Doctrine matters, but we should never divide over issues that do not distort the gospel.
6) We “hear the Spirit” by being so saturated in God’s Word that it pours out of us. “The leading of the Spirit will never be divorced from God’s Word.”
Fave quote:
“Does he guide into error? Emotionalism? Rationalism? Not in the slightest. He guides into truth. The same Holy Spirit who led the disciples into truth as their pens flowed with the breath of God and as they worked miracles in his name and proclaimed his message to Jews and gentiles resides in you. You are his temple. Romans 8:14 says, ‘All who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons and daughters of God.’”
June 16, 2025
Knowing the Spirit is a well-written book that leans heavily on biblical argumentation, which is both commendable and refreshing. However, its underlying intention becomes apparent as the chapters unfold. Costi Hinn appears to have swung to the opposite end of the pendulum when it comes to the Holy Spirit, particularly in contrast to his past association with the faith healing sect of Benny Hinn
While his caution against excesses is understandable, some of his arguments, especially the requirement of prophetic and healing ministries needing to be continuous and demonstrably unceasing, felt underdeveloped and unconvincing. There’s a sense that the nuance and mystery surrounding these spiritual gifts may have been too quickly dismissed in favor of a rigid framework.
That said, the chapter on "slaying in the Spirit" stood out as a highlight. It was both respectful and challenging, striking a thoughtful balance between critique and grace. His viewpoint is clear.
In all, while I don’t agree with every conclusion, the book is worth reading, especially for those seeking a biblically grounded, yet discerning, perspective on the work of the Holy Spirit.
While his caution against excesses is understandable, some of his arguments, especially the requirement of prophetic and healing ministries needing to be continuous and demonstrably unceasing, felt underdeveloped and unconvincing. There’s a sense that the nuance and mystery surrounding these spiritual gifts may have been too quickly dismissed in favor of a rigid framework.
That said, the chapter on "slaying in the Spirit" stood out as a highlight. It was both respectful and challenging, striking a thoughtful balance between critique and grace. His viewpoint is clear.
In all, while I don’t agree with every conclusion, the book is worth reading, especially for those seeking a biblically grounded, yet discerning, perspective on the work of the Holy Spirit.
September 6, 2024
Listened to the audiobook. If Costi writes it, I will probably like it. I think he writes in a simple, accessible way that anyone can read and understand. He takes deep truths about scripture and expresses them in a way that all can understand and learn from. He’s wise but humble. Firm but gentle. Compassionate and seeks to understand all, even those who malign the gospel. He speaks truth but never without showing in scripture where the truth came from. He strongly emphasizes that each person needs to study scripture for themselves so that they can know the truth.
The Holy Spirit can seem like a challenging topic that is hard to understand. But this book makes it simple and accessible to know and understand what scripture says about the Spirit. He presents all theological sides with clear explanations and then states which position he personally holds. This book is thorough without being overwhelming; truthful but not overly academic. It’s a very relatable and practical book.
Definitely recommend.
The Holy Spirit can seem like a challenging topic that is hard to understand. But this book makes it simple and accessible to know and understand what scripture says about the Spirit. He presents all theological sides with clear explanations and then states which position he personally holds. This book is thorough without being overwhelming; truthful but not overly academic. It’s a very relatable and practical book.
Definitely recommend.
July 8, 2024
3.5
I really like the way the author laid out this book, the titles, the topics, the scripture and the outline of things addressed. He also did a decent job of challenging ways we look at concepts in scripture in a biblical light. My biggest struggle, like with my previous update, is he often states opinions in the same way he states biblical fact. Some of his thoughts are very confusing to discern something left to interpretation versus what is the the only way to see them. I’d say worth reading to dig deeper into the Spirit; but be a Berean Jew and make sure you are following context, and don’t just blindly accept something he says just because his other arguments are biblical and convicting.
I really like the way the author laid out this book, the titles, the topics, the scripture and the outline of things addressed. He also did a decent job of challenging ways we look at concepts in scripture in a biblical light. My biggest struggle, like with my previous update, is he often states opinions in the same way he states biblical fact. Some of his thoughts are very confusing to discern something left to interpretation versus what is the the only way to see them. I’d say worth reading to dig deeper into the Spirit; but be a Berean Jew and make sure you are following context, and don’t just blindly accept something he says just because his other arguments are biblical and convicting.
March 8, 2026
Learned SO MUCH!
I took my time dissecting this book. As a baby Christian, I am working on growing in my faith and getting more into learning about the Holy Spirit and his role as our counselor and comforter. There is so much that I have learned throughout the book. A lot of stuff that I thought was true was debunked by the author. It’s crazy how easily misled you can become by others. It’s so important to have the gift of discernment, especially during these times of false prophets. I really recommend this book for all Christians. There are many denominations, but only ONE God. Still holding onto this book for notes and answering reflection questions.
I took my time dissecting this book. As a baby Christian, I am working on growing in my faith and getting more into learning about the Holy Spirit and his role as our counselor and comforter. There is so much that I have learned throughout the book. A lot of stuff that I thought was true was debunked by the author. It’s crazy how easily misled you can become by others. It’s so important to have the gift of discernment, especially during these times of false prophets. I really recommend this book for all Christians. There are many denominations, but only ONE God. Still holding onto this book for notes and answering reflection questions.
July 17, 2025
I really enjoyed this book and appreciate Costi’s biblical approach to understanding the Holy Spirit and who He is.
While I don’t land at the same place as Costi on the current use of spiritual gifts this book is very edifying and I agree with everything else.
I throughly appreciated his chattering unity in the Spirit expressing the need to preserve the unity that we have already been given in Christ. It doesn’t mean that we can’t disagree or have conversations about differences with other Christians, but the way in which we do it matters.
While I don’t land at the same place as Costi on the current use of spiritual gifts this book is very edifying and I agree with everything else.
I throughly appreciated his chattering unity in the Spirit expressing the need to preserve the unity that we have already been given in Christ. It doesn’t mean that we can’t disagree or have conversations about differences with other Christians, but the way in which we do it matters.
October 26, 2023
Not a Discussion Group Book
I was hoping to find a book for our small group to discuss, but I don't think this one will work. Reading this book was sort of like trying to swat a fly. At times it ranges all over the spectrum of possible related topics...lots of rabbit trails. I didn't have major disagreements with the material, but it was not focused enough to serve the purpose.
I was hoping to find a book for our small group to discuss, but I don't think this one will work. Reading this book was sort of like trying to swat a fly. At times it ranges all over the spectrum of possible related topics...lots of rabbit trails. I didn't have major disagreements with the material, but it was not focused enough to serve the purpose.
Read
March 10, 2024I think Costi Hinn does a good job of discussing controversial topics in a humble way. He is firm in what he believes but encourages the reader to decide for hisself or herself what he/she believes. He encourages the reader to decide beliefs based on the authority of Scripture. I personally don’t agree with everything, but I appreciate his arguments and they fact he bases them on Scripture and explains his interpretation clearly.
November 18, 2024
Costi does an amazing job of explaining how we in our society today miss understand the Holy Spirit and helps us gain a proper view and understanding of Him. Before reading this book I honestly did not give much thought to the Holy Spirit and did not fully grasp His role in the Trinity. Costi Hinn helped me gain a much better understanding. All of his books are very well written and do a good job of laying out truth in a way that is easy to understand.
March 16, 2025
This book brought healing to my soul in a lot of different ways by debunking myths I have heard in the modern charismatic church. However, I do disagree with some of his stances regarding prophecy and how tongues ALWAYS is a known foreign language. I still recommend this book but will leave that as my disclaimer. Prophecy is still for today!! However, I highly value his disdain for saying “ I think” or “ I feel” NOPE 🙅🏼♀️!! We must be certain!! The biblical prophets always were.
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