Those who venture to help others must be absolutely trustworthy. A counselor must never break confidences or share the counselee’s problems. Such a person must also have complete knowledge of the customs, traditions, and familial life ways of all ethnicities. This individual must never make a mistake, always speak the truth, and always have the best interests of others at heart. People are in need of an honest friend to teach God’s Word truthfully and effectively. It is essential a mentor be available to effectively communicate spiritual truth. One must be found who understands challenges specific to all peoples. A leader who can competently advise others today must possess the three key elements of ability, authority, and accessibility.
To meet the criterion of ability, this individual must be omni-competent in order to give pragmatic advice. To have the necessary authoritativeness, this person must exhibit omnipotence to deal effectively with deeply personal challenges. To be equally available to thousands of people simultaneously would require this counselor to be omniscient. If someone could meet all these qualifications, this perfect person would be a godsend. Indeed, one able to meet such complex criterion must be God.
The Holy Spirit is Available
Contrasted with eternity, the period of time Christ walked on earth was comparatively short. Refusing to leave His followers comfortless, He promises to send another Comforter, dwelling within all who will receive Him (Jn. 14:17-18). This passage indicates Christ’s ability to comfort others and the assurance that a new Comforter will be supplied. This individual will continue to communicate with human beings as Jesus did. The only criterion for a superlative mentor that Christ could not meet while on earth is that of omnipresence. Therefore, it is imperative a contemporary friend is found who will converse and lift people to higher faith, just as Jesus did during His sojourn here.
It is difficult for some people to trust another for advice. As evidenced in the book of Acts, the Holy Spirit has no ethnic or cultural bias. The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force or power, but a living Being. There are many characteristics of the Holy Spirit that should be of special interest to everyone.
The Holy Spirit is Beneficent
While some folks are suspicious when anything is offered to them freely, the Father gives the gift of the Holy Spirit without ulterior motive (Lk. 11:13). The Spirit will testify 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 have great respect for in-depth truth appreciate how the Spirit can reliably search the hidden things of God (1 Cor. 2:10). In the presence of demonic spirits, the Spirit will discern and reveal entities both good and evil (12:10).
With thousands of oral traditions throughout the world, the Spirit is essential for comparison of spiritual things (1 Cor. 2:13). The Spirit of God will convict each person of specific sins (Jn. 16:8). Many need to be delivered from bondage, and the Spirit releases people from sin and death (Rom. 8:2).
Joseph declares to Pharaoh’s officer that the interpretation of dreams belongs to God alone (Gen. 40:8). Many people place great faith in dreams; therefore, God’s Spirit is essential as an interpreter (Dan. 5:12). By revealing things to come, the Spirit can give people a vision for their future (Jn. 16:13). Many stand in need of daily guidance in God’s Word. The Lord has promised to put His Spirit within us and cause us to walk in His statutes (Ezek. 36:27). The Holy Spirit even has the ability to direct believers to specific places of service (Isa. 48:16; Acts 13:2).
Everyone appreciates a powerful advocate. 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). God’s Holy Spirit will bring lives to fruition by producing the fruit of the Spirit in each family member (Gal. 5:22-23). The Spirit of God often serves as an instructor, patiently and continuously providing opportunities to obey His gentle voice (1 Kings 19:12).
Love is a welcome commodity 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). The Holy Spirit will lead obedient listeners into sanctified life ways (2 Thess. 2:13). Those who possess the Spirit of adoption are empowered to communicate with the Father by praying in the Spirit (Rom. 8:15; Jude 20). The gift of tongues is a dynamic blessing, for the Spirit makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God (Rom. 8:26-27).
In view of the current commercialization of Christianity, it is easy to see understand why so many people are skeptical about Christ. There continues to be reluctance to appropriate the benefits resulting from the day of Pentecost. Deceptive forces have continuously sought to hinder people from receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is Pro-Active
Jesus’ conversations with individuals prove human beings have a deep longing for personal communication with God. In every situation, Jesus’ verbal exchanges always result in a greater comprehension of His person and character. Christ’s interactive dialogues provide the only example regarding enhanced communicative skills. He perfectly models the appropriate attitude people must have toward one another as foundation to all effective dialogue. Christians are expected to work out the details by following Christ’s selfless example. By examining His communicative spirit, it is clear that it is possible to develop communicative expertise only when accompanied by a similar attitude of compassion.
As Christ was personally invited to the wedding at Cana, individuals must take the initiative to invite the Holy Spirit into their lives. Married couples must be encouraged to assume their roles as Spirit-filled disciples. The One who guides believers into all truth will also guide all people in the development of marital communication skills.
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With this in mind, I penned the following poem on March 14th, 1991 –
“Through Human Flesh”
When God’s Word first came to man
He spoke through the patriarchs
And revealed His redemptive plan.
Next He sent the priest,
Who exhorted men to live holy –
But man wanted only to feast.
After this, God spoke through kings;
But many were all too human –
And desired worldly things.
All throughout the years,
Through the prophets of old,
He addressed men’s hopes and fears.
But at last God’s Son was sent from heaven;
This blessed Gift from the Father’s heart
To mortal men was given.
Today, the Holy Spirit speaks to man
To forsake their sin and shame;
But will they hear, obey, and call upon His name?
Yes, the Holy Ghost is still speaking –
Calling to men in the night….
Let us pray they will obey
And walk in His wonderful light.
John Knoles