The Holy Spirit as Counselor

Chuckle: More fun with the English language: "When shot at the dove dove into the bushes."

Quote: "The inward stirring and touching of God makes us hungry and yearning; for the Spirit of God hurts our spirit; and the more he touches it, the greater our hunger and craving." --Jan van Ruysbroeck

"But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I (Jesus) am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you" (John 16:7 NIV).

The Holy Spirit transforms and seals believers and serves as our supreme Counselor who helps us interpret and understand what God's Word says to us --helps us apply it to the real-life situations we face (John 14:26 NIV). Let's think together about the Holy Spirit as our Counselor.

There are times when many of us require skilled counselors to help us deal with issues in our lives. But Jesus taught His disciples and us about the ultimate Counselor and Comforter, the Holy Spirit of God. Jesus was about to be crucified and after His resurrection, He would be leaving the earth and returning to His eternal home with His Father (Acts 1:9-11).

Prior to our passage, Jesus said, "If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit who leads into all truth" (John 14:15-17 NLT). It was necessary for Jesus to leave the earth and return to His Father so that the Holy Spirit would come. While He was on earth, Jesus could only be in one place at a time, but through the Holy Spirit He can now be present to the whole world at once.

The anglicized Greek word, "Paraclete," is translated "Counselor" and combines the ideas of companionship, comfort and counsel. As Jesus prepared to leave His disciples, He promised to remain with them always as the Counselor -- the Spirit of God -- who would come to care for and guide the disciples after Jesus was gone.

After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to the disciples in a locked room and gave this promised Holy Spirit first to them. Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit" (John 20:21-22 NIV).

Later the Holy Spirit was poured out (given to) on all the believers at Pentecost (Acts 2) shortly after Jesus had ascended into heaven. The Holy Spirit is God's power in us as God's children. He is the very presence of God within believers, helping us live godly lives and build Christ's church on earth.

Love, Jerry & Dotse