Who is the Holy Spirit? The Helper

The Helper

Romans 8:26-27 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Sprit intercedes for God’s people in according to the will of God. (NIV)

            The enemy is always lurking around in the shadows to discourage the children of God. He tries his best to remind you of the things that you may have once been enslaved to under sin, and to tempt you in areas in which you may be weak. Nevertheless, God has given us the Helper in order to defeat the enemy. James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (NIV) We cannot defeat the devil on our own. We must submit fully to the Lord in order for Him to help us. The Holy Spirit it there to guide and teach us so that we can be prepared for battle. 2 Chronicles 20:15 He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.’ ” (NIV)

            During the Old Testament times, the Children of Israel were always having to fight of an enemy. But their victories did not come from within themselves. Their victories were only because of the Lord. God is still fighting battles today and if we fully submit our will and make it His, the Holy Spirit will help us to be victorious. Romans 6:20-22 ⁽²⁰⁾When you were slaves to sin, you were free form the control of righteousness. ⁽²¹⁾What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! ⁽²²⁾But now that you have been set free form sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. (NIV)

            The Holy Spirit also helps us to remain steadfast in God. Psalm 51:10-11 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast sprit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. (NIV) The Psalmist knew that in order to remain faithful to God and keep His commands, he had to have the right Spirit, who is the Holy Spirit to reside in him. The desire to do what is opposite of God is ever present, but the Holy Spirit helps the believer to stay planted firmly in God. Galatians 5:17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. (NIV) The Holy Spirit never forces anything on an individual; yet, we have free choice to invite Him in to take control.

            The Holy Spirit helps us to be able to relate to others. Acts 2:4-6 ⁽⁴⁾All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. ⁽⁵⁾Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews form every nation under heaven. (NIV) ⁽⁶⁾When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. (NIV) The apostles were able to take the Word to the world because the Holy Spirit filled them with Himself, and as a result, they were able to speak in languages that they had never studied. The Holy Spirit helped them to do this so that others could learn the Good News about Jesus and be saved, without having the limitation of what could have been inadequate communication. They did not have social media, TV, radio or the likes to get the word of God out. However, the Holy Spirit played an essential role to the world-wide spreading of the Gospel and helping to change hearts and minds. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (NIV)

            The need for the Holy Spirit, to be a Helper in the lives of Christians, is so important that if one even speaks against the Holy Spirit, forgiveness would not be obtained. Matthew 12:32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. (NIV) The work of the Holy Spirit is never to be taken lightly. God considers His work in the believer’s life very important because the Holy Spirit helps us to understand the essence of the Father. No one has been able to see the Father, but when we allow the Holy Spirit to dwell in us, we are able to understand God’s nature of what is right and wrong; what is acceptable and pure; what is Holy and unholy; what is righteous and unrighteous. John 16:8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment. (NIV)