17 september, 2023

THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE BELIEVER

(Growing in Faith, in Truth & in Spirit: GFTS 12)

The Lord Jesus, before He ascended to the Father made a promise to His disciples: “I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of Truth…for He dwells with you and shall be in you” (John 14:16-17-KJV). The word “another” in the Greek means “another just like Me”. We know that the Holy Trinity is God in Three Persons: Father, Son, Holy Spirit – of the same divine substance, eternal, holy and omnipotent, etc. The Holy Spirit is God, the Third Person of the Holy Trinity.

When Jesus was on earth, He was physically with the disciples all the time. They were worried that they would not have someone like Him to consult when they were in need. The Lord also said, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you” (John 14:18). He would come to them in the Person of the Holy Spirit, Who is also called “the Spirit of Christ” (Rom.8:9). This promise was a comfort to them: that the Holy Spirit Who has power and wisdom just like Jesus Himself, will be able to help them all the time. That is because He will dwell in them and be with them always.

Jesus said that the Holy Spirit is the “Comforter” – translated “Helper” and “Counsellor” in other versions. The Greek word is “Paracletos” which means “Someone who comes alongside us” to help, to be with us and also to give wisdom and insight. That is the reason why the Holy Spirit is also called the Spirit of Truth, Wisdom and Revelation. Jesus also said that we will receive “power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you” (Acts 1:8). The “Paracletos” is in us to comfort, help and counsel every “born again” believer, and therefore this gives us great assurance in life as we live for Christ and walk with Him.

Jesus also said that the Paracletos is “the Spirit of Truth” Who will “guide you into all Truth” (John 16:13). He also said, “You will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free” (John 8:32). The devil is a liar and a deceiver (John 8:44) and he lies to people and deceives them into believing and doing all the wrong and evil things so that they will perish in Hell. He lies and deceives people to doubt God and His Word, just like he deceived Eve in the Garden so that they will disobey God. Let us be aware of this and be warned because in these last days he will influence even preachers to preach lies and turn people away from Christ and the Truth. The Bible warns us: “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things (doctrines) taught by demons” (1 Tim.4:1).

Satan will use preachers and pastors that he has demonised and controlled so that they will deceive Christians by false teachings. The result: they will “abandon the faith” of the Bible taught by Christ and the apostles and prophets, which is the Cornerstone and Foundation of our faith (Eph.2:19-22). When we walk in the Spirit then He, the Spirit of Truth, will show us these errors and deception, so that we will be faithful to the Word of God. 

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