So often when we think of the Holy Spirit, we view Him negatively because He causes us to feel guilty and uncomfortable in our sin. While He does convict us of sin, we should not view it as harshness. In John 16, Jesus is preparing His disciples for His departure, stating in verse 7 that if He doesn’t depart, the Advocate won’t come. The word advocate is defined as comforter, encourager, or counselor.

All that the Holy Spirit is to us can be summed up in the word “Helper”. He is within us to encourage us to live a victorious life over sin and live in righteousness, or in right standing with God. Jesus declares in Verse 13 that when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide us into all truth. God knew that Satan would be seeking whom he may devour and that if left on our own, we would be unable to conquer him.

Paul sums it up in Romans 7:19 when He says “In that on his own, the good he wants to do, he is unable, and the evil he does not want to do, he keeps doing”. But, He goes on to say in Romans 8:3-6, that because of Jesus taking on our sins and the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, we can live victoriously over sin. In verses 5-6, he says, “… but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”

When we begin to view the Holy Spirit as our counselor who guides our spiritual walk, we can live victoriously over all the enemy throws our way.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I thank You for sending me the gift of the Holy Spirit. Thank You that He is within me as my counselor and encourager, leading me from sin and temptation into a closer walk with You. Thank you for His comfort that is always with me when I feel life has knocked me off my feet. Thank you that I have an ever-present Helper. Please help me to be mindful of Him and follow His promptings each moment of every day. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

How do you view the Holy Spirit? I encourage you today to begin seeing Him as a comforter, encourager, and counselor whose sole purpose is to help you live victoriously. He is your best friend encouraging you to finish strong, so that you may reach Heaven and hear the Lord say, “Well done my good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of your Master.”