During October 2024, I had a series of unique encounters with the Holy Spirit.

These moments came during a time when I paused; I stepped back from ministry to seek God for direction and prepare for the next chapter He had for me.

Internal Battle

Even though I was excited about stepping into a new season, I was also wrestling with doubts about myself. My confidence as a man was shaky, and I wondered: Could I handle the ministry God wanted to give me?

I spent a lot of this time battling with self-sabotage and punishing myself for being a “defective man.”

But in the midst of all this, God met me in a special way. Over the course of several days in October, He appeared to me in seven different ways; each encounter revealed a unique aspect of His Spirit and His love for me.

Seven Encounters

I got to see the 7 Spirits of God mentioned in Isaiah 11:2:

“(1) The Spirit of Yahweh will rest on Him—the (2) Spirit of wisdom and of (3) understanding, the (4) Spirit of counsel and of (5) might, the (6) Spirit of the knowledge and (7) fear of Yahweh”

I saw each Spirit, starting with the Fear of Yahweh. Let’s talk about each experience:

1) Purple Flame: Holy Spirit of the Fear of Yahweh

The first encounter came as a purple flame. I was in prayer and suddenly He appeared to me, and I heard Him say, “This is the Holy Spirit of the Fear of the Lord.”

He was majestic and awe-inspiring. This flame displayed God’s beauty and purity. I was left in awe and crying out, “Woe is me,” like the prophet Isaiah did in Isaiah 6 when he encountered God in the throne room. The next day, I woke up with a new hunger for holiness; I genuinely wanted to be like God in my character because of how amazing He is!

2) Indigo Flame: Holy Spirit of Knowledge

The second encounter was as an indigo flame. He had a mysterious, deep, and soothing vibe to Him.

The Holy Spirit of Knowledge opened my mind up to the spiritual realm in new ways. I could feel that this Spirit knows all things intimately. He possessed more than just intellectual knowledge; His knowledge is personal and experiential.

3) Blue Flame: Holy Spirit of Might

The Holy Spirit of Might revealed Himself while I was in my room getting ready for bed as a blue flame.

His presence was humbling yet empowering. This encounter came alongside a personal correction where I was wrestling with valuing people’s approval over God’s and pride.

This Spirit reminded me of Jesus’ humility and gentleness despite how powerful He was.

I received deeper insight into what true power looks like in Jesus’ Kingdom; He values strength rooted in gentleness and submission to God’s will.

4) Green Flame: Holy Spirit of Counsel

The Holy Spirit of Counsel appeared to me as a green flame. He was brimming with life and energy!

He imparted to me practical wisdom on how to apply God’s Word and counselled me so I could begin stepping into the fullness of who I’m called to be. I left this encounter feeling refreshed, brand new, and full of joy.

5) Yellow Flame: Holy Spirit of Understanding

In worship, I saw the Holy Spirit of Understanding appear as a vibrant yellow flame.

He revealed to me a deep truth: “You can’t keep My commandments if your eyes aren’t on the Commandment Giver.” This Spirit showed me the importance of holy fear and how it keeps our eyes fixed on God. He taught me that what we look at shapes our desires. By fixing our gaze on God, we allow His desires to be formed in us.

He also gave me a deeper understanding of each of the 7 Spirits of God.

6) Orange Flame: Holy Spirit of Wisdom

The Holy Spirit of Wisdom came as an orange flame, and He radiated creativity and insight.

He displayed the beauty of wise decision-making that aligns perfectly with God’s will. It became clear to me that wisdom isn’t just about making good choices for your own ideas or will—it’s about wise decision-making that’s led by the Holy Spirit so you can walk in God’s will for your life.

During this encounter, I saw some of the other manifestations of the Holy Spirit again, seeing a rainbow of intermingling flames (blue, green, and indigo) showing that the seven Spirits of God work together as one.

Though distinct in their expressions, they are unified, a profound mystery of how the Holy Spirit is both One and the Seven Spirits of God. (I’m not exactly sure how it works, but it’s true).

7) Red Flame: Holy Spirit of Yahweh

The final encounter was the most overwhelming of all. The Holy Spirit of Yahweh appeared as a crimson flame, full of passion, holiness, and an intense, jealous love.

This Spirit revealed the very essence of who God is: an all-consuming fire of love and holiness.
His presence poured over me like anointing oil, filling me with the weight of His glory and majesty.

I felt His love not as something distant or abstract, but as the very core of His being, burning with a passion that words cannot describe. A new revelation I had was that God’s love is so intense for us that it’s almost terrifying. This is comforting but also compels you to pursue holiness wholeheartedly because He’s pursuing you with flames of love.

Revelation of Each Spirit

Through these encounters, I came to understand these seven manifestations of the Holy Spirit in a deeper way. Here are quick descriptions of each:

1. Holy Spirit of Yahweh: The essence of God’s character: His love, jealousy, authority, transcendence, every characteristic, every facet of His heart; all utterly holy.
2. Holy Spirit of Wisdom: Divine creativity and wise decision-making aligned with God’s will.
3. Holy Spirit of Understanding: The reason, meaning, and intent behind God’s ways and identity.
4. Holy Spirit of Counsel: Authoritative guidance and strategy for living under God’s rule. This Spirit also helps you navigate emotions, trauma, and more so that you’re able to follow His ways.
5. Holy Spirit of Might: Empowerment to walk in God’s will with humility.
6. Holy Spirit of Knowledge: Experiential knowledge of who God is and His truth.
7. Holy Spirit of Fear: A deep awareness, healthy dread, reverence, awe, and enjoyment of God, born from His grace and encountering Him, that leads to hating evil and embracing holiness.

Words don’t do justice to how amazing each manifestation of the Holy Spirit is that I encountered.
He’s beyond description.

Closing Thoughts

Through these encounters with the Holy Spirit, I was impacted deeply. Each flame carried a unique aspect of who God is and wove together in a deeper revelation of His nature. In the middle of my struggles, He met me with His power, His beauty, and His truth.

If you’re longing for more of God, I encourage you to seek Him wholeheartedly. Search the scriptures to encounter God. The Holy Spirit is eager to reveal Himself to those who are willing to pause, listen, and receive.

Also, we have resources to help you grow in your faith, which you can find here.