“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:16-17)

Not too long ago, my children started following our church’s daily Bible reading plan along with my wife and I. It’s been such a blessing spending family time with them each day, praying, discussing what we’ve read, and sharing what the Lord has put on our hearts.

One of the things I taught my children to do each day before they start reading the Word, is to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide them and give them wisdom, insight, and understanding that can only come from Him.

I can see evidence of the Spirit working in them, as many of the nights they actually bring up some of the exact same points that I reflect on within my blog posts, and they beat me to the punch of what I was going to share with them! It’s an absolute joy to see both their prayers and comprehension of the Word go well beyond what I would have expected for their age.

It’s quite amazing actually, and reminds me of the funny Christian catch-phrase that “there is no junior Holy Spirit”. The same Holy Spirit that is dwelling in my wife and I as adults, is the same Spirit leading my children! Praise God!

So what does the Holy Spirit actually do? Further along in John 14:26-27, Jesus gives us a glimpse into the Spirit’s role in our lives.

“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid.” (John 14:26-27)

Jesus is clearly teaching us that the Holy Spirit is the Counselor/Helper/Advocate sent by God the Father, in the name of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is our teacher and adviser into the understanding and wisdom of God, and keeps God’s Word alive and active in our lives. The Holy Spirit gives us His peace that transcends all understanding, and keeps us from having to fear, by confirming and assuring our salvation in Christ Jesus.

Throughout the Bible, we also see that the Holy Spirit:

• Testifies of Jesus (John 15:26, 1 Cor. 12:3)
• Gives glory to Jesus (John 16:14)
• Convicts the world of sin (John 16:8)
• Resides within us (Rom. 8:9, 1 Cor 6:19-20 and 12:13)
• Guides us into truth (John 16:13)
• Cleanses and renews us (Titus 3:5)
• Leads us into righteousness (Gal 5:16-18)
• Intercedes for us (Rom. 8:26-27)
• Assists in our prayer (Jude 1:20)
• Comforts us in hard times (1 Thes. 1:6, 2 Cor. 13:14)
• Fills us with hope and joy (Rom. 15:13)
• Gives us His fruit (Gal 5:19-26)
• Gives us spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:4)
• Seals our salvation (Eph. 1:13, 4:30)

To even recognize that the Spirit does all of these things, should give us pause in our lives if we are NOT functioning in His power and presence as Christians.

While this list is quite long, it’s not even the full scope of the Spirit’s work within our life, within the “Trinity” (godhead of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), or within creation.  What He fully does, we can’t fathom or comprehend!

Ultimately in our Christian walk, we must know that the Holy Spirit points us towards Jesus Christ, and both empowers and equips us to carry out the Great Commandment and Great Commission.

To not call upon the Spirit to be our Counselor, Helper, and Advocate in life, is to overlook God Himself, for the Holy Spirit is God. His presence was given to us as a gift of love, because God knows that we need the help.

[From January 14, 2019]