Believers can know they have received the Holy Spirit through the conviction of sin and a profound reverence for God.
The presence of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life is evidenced by a deep conviction of sin and an awareness of one’s utter dependence on Christ for righteousness. According to John 16:8-10, the Spirit convinces believers of their sin and their need for Jesus, which leads them to a place of humility and repentance. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit instills a reverential awe for God's holiness, leading believers to recognize that their salvation and standing before God is purely by grace through faith in Christ's atoning work.
Scripture References:
John 16:8-10, 1 John 4:13, 1 John 3:14, Galatians 5:22
Commentary