Those who venture to counsel others must be absolutely trustworthy and never break confidences or share personal information. Such a person must also have complete knowledge of customs, traditions, challenges, and familial life ways of every tribe. This individual must always speak the truth, never make a mistake, and have one’s best interests at heart. People are in need of an honest friend who is available to effectively communicate spiritual truth.
A leader who can competently advise others must possess the three key elements of ability, authority, and accessibility. To meet the criterion of ability, this individual must be competent to give pragmatic advice. To have the necessary authoritativeness, this person must be readily available to deal effectively with intriguing challenges. But to be available to thousands of people simultaneously would require this counselor to be omniscient. An individual who could meet these three qualifications would be a godsend. Indeed, one able to meet such complex criterion must be God.
Compared with eternity, Christ’s time on earth was relatively short. As He was a comfort to others, He assures His followers a new Comforter will be supplied (Jn. 14:17-18). This individual will continue to communicate with human beings as Jesus did. The only qualification as a superlative mentor Christ could not meet while on earth is that of omnipresence. Therefore, it is imperative a contemporary friend be found who will converse and lift people to higher faith as Jesus did during His sojourn here. The Spirit testifies to those who ask Him that the Bible is true and authored by the Holy Spirit (1 Pet. 1:11-12 & 2 Pet. 1:21). If God’s Word is not readily recollected, the Spirit will bring to remembrance all that Jesus taught (Jn. 14:26).
Those who respect truth appreciate how the Spirit can reliably search the hidden things of God (1 Cor. 2:10). Because hundreds of cultural traditions exist, the Spirit is essential for the comparison of spiritual things (v. 13). In the presence of demonic spirits, the Spirit will discern and reveal entities both good and evil (I Cor. 12:10). The Spirit of God will convict each person of specific sins (Jn. 16:7-8). Many need to be delivered from bondage and the Spirit releases people from sin and death (Rom. 8:2).
Everyone appreciates a powerful friend. The Holy Spirit endues each individual with power for daily living (Lk. 24:49; Acts 1:8). All human beings would love to have joy amid their struggles to survive. God’s Spirit will supply this need perpetually (1 Thess. 1:6).
The Spirit brings lives to fruition by producing the fruit of the Spirit in every family member (Gal. 5:22-23). He patiently and continuously provides opportunities to obey His gentle voice (1 Kings 19:12). Love is a welcome commodity in all homes and the love of God is shed abroad in hearts by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5). In view of the heartache prevalent in many lives, the Spirit has the power to renew strength daily (Ps. 51:12; Titus 3:5). Those desperate for miraculous provision can be assured of the Spirit’s intervention (Heb. 2:4 & 2 Thess. 2:13).
As Jesus was personally invited to the wedding at Cana, husbands and wives should invite the Holy Spirit into their homes (Jn. 2:2). Christian couples have a wonderful opportunity to accept God’s best gift: His Holy Spirit.