Hearing from God Day 5: John 14:26
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. (NIV)
It seems that anytime the Holy Spirit is brought up, one group gets a little anxious and another group gets a little excited. The extreme behaviors of the eager ones have contributed to the anxiety of the other group. So, here’s an interesting insight, Jesus introduced the Holy Spirit as a Counselor or a Comforter. Current thinking about the Holy Spirit almost seems ironic compared to the purpose that Jesus gave for the Spirit’s work and presence in the life of the believer. The Spirit is a Comforter.
John Ortberg refers to the Holy Spirit as a “non-anxious presence in our lives.” I like that. For some, the presence of the Holy Spirit should provide a measure of anxiety. Part of the Spirit’s role is to “convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8, NIV). The Spirit did much of the work to point us to Christ in the first place. But, now, those who belong to Christ don’t need to fear these things. We are no longer considered part of “the world.”
As we open our lives to the Spirit, Jesus said that He will teach us and remind us. The Spirit won’t turn us into rabid charismatics, but He will steadily turn us toward our purpose on this earth and toward the presence of God in our lives.
Jesus came as Immanuel, God with us. Then, Jesus told His disciples a remarkable thing, the Spirit that was currently with them would soon be in them (John 14:17). God’s Spirit has been given to us in the same way (Acts 5:32; Romans 5:5).
What are you anxious about today? How can the Holy Spirit be a non-anxious presence in your life today? As you ask God to be with you and to stay near you today, this is the Spirit’s work. Before you say something you might regret, ask Him what to say. Before you freak out over what you might face today, recognize that that power of God dwells in you through His Holy Spirit. He’s your Comforter.
Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
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