Welcome to Day 5. of our devotional study, Who Is The Holy Spirit And What Does He Do online Bible study. Today's Bible study is about the Holy Spirit as a Counselor. We will be studying John 14:26.
Holy Spirit Is Counselor
What does it mean that the Holy Spirit is a Counselor?
The Holy Spirit as our Counselor means He is actively involved in every aspect of our lives, offering guidance, teaching, remembrance, and peace. By recognizing and depending on His daily counsel, we can navigate life’s complexities with His perfect wisdom.
Read John 14:26
Click on the verse to read it in various translations of the Bible at Biblegateway.
"But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you." John 14:26 AMPC
We talked about the Holy Spirit as our Helper yesterday in John 14:16-18. The Greek word for Holy Spirit used in John chapter 14 is, parakletos.
"Parakletos" also means intercessor, assistant, or one who pleads the cause of another before a judge. Therefore, the role of the Holy Spirit is all-encompassing. He is our Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, and Standby.
Today I want us to focus on the role of the Holy Spirit as our counselor.
Holy Spirit as a Counselor
When we think of seeking counsel, we often imagine sitting down with a trusted friend or a professional psychologist, hoping to find advice and comfort. While human counselors can offer valuable insights, there's a divine Counselor available to us who surpasses all human understanding—the Holy Spirit.
Consider this: God, through the Holy Spirit, knows us completely. He understands every thought, feeling, desire, experience, and even the intricacies of our family histories. No human counselor, regardless of their training, can delve into the depths of our hearts and minds like the Holy Spirit can. He is the perfect Counselor, always available and understands perfectly what we need.
Unlike earthly counseling sessions that might leave us waiting for the next appointment, the Holy Spirit is always present. He offers wisdom that is pure and untainted by human limitations. When we're burdened by mental, emotional, or spiritual struggles, the Holy Spirit provides not just temporary relief, but lasting freedom and peace. His counsel goes beyond mere advice—He heals and restores.
One of the most amazing things about the Holy Spirit's counseling is His ability to get straight to the heart of our issues. While human counselors might take time to peel back the layers of our problems, the Holy Spirit cuts through the noise and reveals the core issues. This understanding transforms us from the inside out.
Imagine facing life's challenges knowing you have the ultimate Counselor guiding you. The Holy Spirit not only reminds us of Jesus' teachings but also applies them in a way that brings true freedom. We are no longer held back by our past or struggles because God's Spirit is actively working in us and through us.
The Holy Spirit As Your Counselor
When we fully submit to God, the Holy Spirit can counsel us in numerous transformative ways. Here is a list of how the Holy Spirit counsels us:
1. Teaching and Reminding Us of Jesus' Words
John 14:26 (NIV): "But the Advocate, 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."
2. Comforting Us in Times of Trouble
John 14:16 (NIV): "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever."
3. Providing Wisdom and Understanding
Isaiah 11:2 (NIV): "The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord."
4. Revealing God's Will to Us
1 Corinthians 2:10-11 (NIV): "These are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God."
5. Helping Us in Our Weakness
Romans 8:26 (NIV): "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."
6. Giving Us Peace
Romans 8:6 (NIV): "The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace."
7. Convicting Us of Sin and Leading Us to Repentance
John 16:8 (NIV): "When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment."
8. Assuring Us of Our Identity in Christ
Romans 8:16 (NIV): "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children."
9. Giving Us Direction and Guidance
Isaiah 30:21 (NIV): "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’"
10. Strengthening and Encouraging Us
Ephesians 3:16 (NIV): "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being."
11. Empowering Us to Overcome Temptation
Galatians 5:16 (NIV): "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."
12. Helping Us to Discern Truth
1 John 2:27 (NIV): "As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him."
By submitting fully to God, we allow the Holy Spirit to act as our Counselor, providing wisdom, comfort, guidance, and strength that surpasses human understanding. His counsel leads us into a deeper relationship with God, empowering us to live out our faith with confidence and peace.
Preparing Our Hearts to Hear the Counsel of the Holy Spirit
As we approach the Holy Spirit, it's crucial to remember His holiness and to approach Him with the deepest worship and reverence. Here are some steps to prepare our hearts to hear His counsel:
1. Confess and Repent
Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV): "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
Begin by confessing any known sin and repenting. A clean heart is essential for communion with the Holy Spirit.
2. Worship and Adore
Psalm 95:6 (NIV): "Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker."
Spend time in worship, acknowledging God's holiness and majesty. Worship aligns our hearts with God's presence.
3. Read and Meditate on Scripture
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV): "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
The Holy Spirit speaks through God's Word. Reading and meditating on Scripture prepares our hearts to hear His voice.
4. Pray with Expectation
James 1:5-6 (NIV): "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt."
Approach God in prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to guide and counsel you. Pray with faith, expecting to hear from Him.
5. Quiet Your Heart
Psalm 46:10 (NIV): "He says, 'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.'"
Find a quiet place free from distractions. Being still helps us tune in to the Holy Spirit's gentle voice.
6. Listen and Obey
John 10:27 (NIV): "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."
Be attentive to the Holy Spirit's promptings and be ready to obey. The more we listen and obey, the clearer His guidance becomes.
7. Seek Fellowship with Believers
Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV): "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Engage with fellow believers for encouragement and accountability. God often uses the body of Christ to confirm His guidance.
By taking these steps, we can prepare our hearts to hear and receive the counsel of the Holy Spirit, ensuring that we approach Him with the reverence and openness He deserves.
Conclusion:
In our study of the Holy Spirit as our Counselor, we've explored how He guides, teaches, and comforts us, as highlighted in John 14:26. The Holy Spirit, sent by the Father in Jesus' name, is our Counselor who reminds us of Jesus' teachings and leads us into all truth.
By fully submitting to God and preparing our hearts to hear the Holy Spirit's guidance, we allow Him to transform us from the inside out. Let us approach Him with reverence, trusting He will lead us into true freedom and a deeper understanding of God's will for our lives.
Let's pray together:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the precious gift of the Holy Spirit, our ultimate Counselor. We are grateful for His wisdom, comfort, and guidance. Help us to turn to Him first, trusting in His divine insight that surpasses all human understanding.
As we seek Your counsel, prepare our hearts, Lord. Help us to confess our sins and come before You with a clean heart. Draw us into deep worship and adoration, and give us clear understanding as we reflect on Your Word. Quiet our hearts so we can hear Your voice clearly, and fill us with expectation and faith as we pray.
May we experience freedom and healing from Your Spirit's revelation. Strengthen us to listen and obey, and lead us into all truth. Thank You for Your constant presence and for guiding us every step of the way. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Who Is The Holy Spirit And What Does He Do? Online Bible Study and Printable Journal
Dive even deeper into this study with our printable journal. This journal is designed to guide you through personal reflections and insights, enhancing your experience as you engage with the Scriptures and listen to the Holy Spirit. Grab your journal HERE.
Here are some questions to consider as you study the person of the Holy Spirit:
What is the most important truth I learned about the Holy Spirit?
Did the Holy Spirit convict me of anything that I need to change in my life?
Come back tomorrow as we study the Holy Spirit is your Teacher.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. May the Holy Spirit continue to lead you into a deeper relationship with God and empower you to live out your faith boldly and effectively.
Resources used in today's study on, The Holy Spirit As Counselor:
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