Now Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was being led around by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. - Luke 4:1-2a
I hope you are enjoying our current sermon series on “The Works of the Holy Spirit”. For the past 2 months, we have been identifying and discussing several major activities of the Holy Spirit that are emphasized in Scripture. As with any topic, it is important that we use the Bible to guide and inform our understanding of the Holy Spirit. Today’s message is the 9th in this study, and it is called “The Comfort and Guidance of the Holy Spirit”.
I. COMFORTS AND HELPS THE BELIEVER
The apostle John refers to the Holy Spirit as the believer’s “Paraclete” 4 times in his gospel (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7). The Greek word parakletos means “one who is called alongside”. It is commonly rendered as “Comforter”, “Helper”, or “Advocate” in the major English translations of the New Testament. Let’s briefly explore each of these to get a well rounded meaning of the word.
The King James Bible (KJV) uses the name Comforter to describe the Holy Spirit. This description emphasizes His role in relieving the distress, dismay, and anguish of a believer. Again and again Scripture states that the followers of Christ will suffer persecution, grief, and hardship. There are numerous examples of this throughout the Bible. God’s children are repeatedly urged to take refuge in Him and to comfort one another. The LORD’s comfort comes to believers through work of the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:31).
The English Standard Bible (ESV) uses the name Helper to describe the Holy Spirit. This description is much broader and can be applied to a number of things. For example, the Holy Spirit helps believers recognize unconfessed sin through conviction. He helps believers understand the Bible through illumination. He helps believers contribute to the Church through the bestowal of spiritual gifts. These are a few of the ways He helps that we’ve already discussed, and there are many more. Of course, He also helps by comforting Christians who are hurting.
The New International Bible (NIV) uses the name Advocate to describe the Holy Spirit. This description emphasizes His role as defender who pleads another’s cause. He comes alongside to support or defend the believer who is being maligned and mistreated. This is also a form of help and a source of comfort to the person being accused and oppressed.
So, however it’s translated, the Holy Spirit provides comfort to believers. He assures them that their salvation is securely sealed in Him and that they are the adopted children of God who are awaiting the inheritance that has been pledged to them. This assurance, which we discussed last Sunday, is also comforting. His encouragement gives Christians the strength to endure and press on for the cause of Christ.
II. GUIDES AND LEADS THE BELIEVER
A guide is someone who advises or shows the way to others. The Bible says that the Holy Spirit guides believers in the truth (John 16:13). The truth is God’s will, way, and word. Thus, the Holy Spirit shows Christians how to apply God’s instruction in order to rightly follow His direction. This is a different work than illumination, which we discussed a few weeks ago, in which the Holy Spirit helps believers understand the meaning of God’s word. His guidance goes a step further, helping them use it to make personal decisions specific to their lives which are in tune with God’s will.
It is imperative for the children of God to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Those who do so show themselves to be true Christians (Romans 8:14). They not only know what the Bible says, but they actually obey it. The Holy Spirit leads believers to apply the truths of Scripture to their own individual circumstances, so that they can make decisions that will honor God and best serve His kingdom work.
Those who walk by the Holy Spirit and are led by Him will not practice the deeds of the flesh. These carnal acts are condemned by the Law as sin. The Spirit led man or woman will shun these old ways and aspire to follow the Spirit in faithful obedience to God (Galatians 5:16-18). The Holy Spirit leads believers to live in the marvelous light of God’s grace as they choose to honor Him in all of their life’s decisions.
III. TIPS FOR FOLLOWING THE HOLY SPIRIT
How does a person correctly discern the voice of the Holy Spirit? How can they differentiate between their own thoughts and the Holy Spirit’s direction? How do they detect and disregard the deceptive leading of Satan and his demonic forces? First, while Christians should be sensitive to the spiritual nudgings and promptings of their conscience, always listening carefully for the LORD’s voice, they must recognize that not every inclination comes from God. As my momma used to say, “Don’t believe everything you hear.” Blindly following any impulse or feeling as though it has come from God, even a sincere and/or intense one, is naive, foolish, and can become a recipe for trouble.
The Bible urges believers to “test the spirits” in order to determine whether or not they come from God (1 John 4:1-3). This testing is a rational, intentional act of the mind. The Holy Spirit will never deny the truths of Scripture (such as the fact that Jesus is the Son of God who came to earth in the flesh) nor will He lead someone to do anything contrary to Scripture. God’s word is perfect, unchanging, and timeless, and the LORD does not contradict Himself. Therefore, Christians should be familiar with the Bible and use it as the standard by which all spiritual thoughts and nudgings are measured.
While many of life’s questions have a definite right or wrong answer, others present a series of viable options. In these cases, a person might have to choose what is best for them and/or their family considering their own unique circumstances. It is important for Christians to pray about these decisions, to talk with other believers who can provide wise counsel, and to study the relevant verses and passages of the Bible. By following these strategies a person is more apt to rightly discern and follow the Holy Spirit’s leading. The more often a Christian seeks the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the more familiar it will become.
CONCLUSION
In today’s message, we have added 2 more important works of the Holy Spirit to our list:
The Holy Spirit comforts believers in their distress. Jesus told His followers to expect suffering, persecution, and sorrow in this life. There is no escaping it. While some will experience more than others, no one is exempt. The Holy Spirit consoles the Christian’s pain and encourages them to persevere.
The Holy Spirit guides believers in the truth. Like a counselor or advisor, He helps Christians to make personal decisions that are consistent with God’s will and aligned with His Word. By following the Holy Spirit’s leading, believers honor God and become more effective laborers in His kingdom.
I hope you are enjoying our current sermon series on “The Works of the Holy Spirit”. For the past 2 months, we have been identifying and discussing several major activities of the Holy Spirit that are emphasized in Scripture. As with any topic, it is important that we use the Bible to guide and inform our understanding of the Holy Spirit. Today’s message is the 9th in this study, and it is called “The Comfort and Guidance of the Holy Spirit”.
I. COMFORTS AND HELPS THE BELIEVER
The apostle John refers to the Holy Spirit as the believer’s “Paraclete” 4 times in his gospel (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7). The Greek word parakletos means “one who is called alongside”. It is commonly rendered as “Comforter”, “Helper”, or “Advocate” in the major English translations of the New Testament. Let’s briefly explore each of these to get a well rounded meaning of the word.
The King James Bible (KJV) uses the name Comforter to describe the Holy Spirit. This description emphasizes His role in relieving the distress, dismay, and anguish of a believer. Again and again Scripture states that the followers of Christ will suffer persecution, grief, and hardship. There are numerous examples of this throughout the Bible. God’s children are repeatedly urged to take refuge in Him and to comfort one another. The LORD’s comfort comes to believers through work of the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:31).
The English Standard Bible (ESV) uses the name Helper to describe the Holy Spirit. This description is much broader and can be applied to a number of things. For example, the Holy Spirit helps believers recognize unconfessed sin through conviction. He helps believers understand the Bible through illumination. He helps believers contribute to the Church through the bestowal of spiritual gifts. These are a few of the ways He helps that we’ve already discussed, and there are many more. Of course, He also helps by comforting Christians who are hurting.
The New International Bible (NIV) uses the name Advocate to describe the Holy Spirit. This description emphasizes His role as defender who pleads another’s cause. He comes alongside to support or defend the believer who is being maligned and mistreated. This is also a form of help and a source of comfort to the person being accused and oppressed.
So, however it’s translated, the Holy Spirit provides comfort to believers. He assures them that their salvation is securely sealed in Him and that they are the adopted children of God who are awaiting the inheritance that has been pledged to them. This assurance, which we discussed last Sunday, is also comforting. His encouragement gives Christians the strength to endure and press on for the cause of Christ.
II. GUIDES AND LEADS THE BELIEVER
A guide is someone who advises or shows the way to others. The Bible says that the Holy Spirit guides believers in the truth (John 16:13). The truth is God’s will, way, and word. Thus, the Holy Spirit shows Christians how to apply God’s instruction in order to rightly follow His direction. This is a different work than illumination, which we discussed a few weeks ago, in which the Holy Spirit helps believers understand the meaning of God’s word. His guidance goes a step further, helping them use it to make personal decisions specific to their lives which are in tune with God’s will.
It is imperative for the children of God to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Those who do so show themselves to be true Christians (Romans 8:14). They not only know what the Bible says, but they actually obey it. The Holy Spirit leads believers to apply the truths of Scripture to their own individual circumstances, so that they can make decisions that will honor God and best serve His kingdom work.
Those who walk by the Holy Spirit and are led by Him will not practice the deeds of the flesh. These carnal acts are condemned by the Law as sin. The Spirit led man or woman will shun these old ways and aspire to follow the Spirit in faithful obedience to God (Galatians 5:16-18). The Holy Spirit leads believers to live in the marvelous light of God’s grace as they choose to honor Him in all of their life’s decisions.
III. TIPS FOR FOLLOWING THE HOLY SPIRIT
How does a person correctly discern the voice of the Holy Spirit? How can they differentiate between their own thoughts and the Holy Spirit’s direction? How do they detect and disregard the deceptive leading of Satan and his demonic forces? First, while Christians should be sensitive to the spiritual nudgings and promptings of their conscience, always listening carefully for the LORD’s voice, they must recognize that not every inclination comes from God. As my momma used to say, “Don’t believe everything you hear.” Blindly following any impulse or feeling as though it has come from God, even a sincere and/or intense one, is naive, foolish, and can become a recipe for trouble.
The Bible urges believers to “test the spirits” in order to determine whether or not they come from God (1 John 4:1-3). This testing is a rational, intentional act of the mind. The Holy Spirit will never deny the truths of Scripture (such as the fact that Jesus is the Son of God who came to earth in the flesh) nor will He lead someone to do anything contrary to Scripture. God’s word is perfect, unchanging, and timeless, and the LORD does not contradict Himself. Therefore, Christians should be familiar with the Bible and use it as the standard by which all spiritual thoughts and nudgings are measured.
While many of life’s questions have a definite right or wrong answer, others present a series of viable options. In these cases, a person might have to choose what is best for them and/or their family considering their own unique circumstances. It is important for Christians to pray about these decisions, to talk with other believers who can provide wise counsel, and to study the relevant verses and passages of the Bible. By following these strategies a person is more apt to rightly discern and follow the Holy Spirit’s leading. The more often a Christian seeks the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the more familiar it will become.
CONCLUSION
In today’s message, we have added 2 more important works of the Holy Spirit to our list:
The Holy Spirit comforts believers in their distress. Jesus told His followers to expect suffering, persecution, and sorrow in this life. There is no escaping it. While some will experience more than others, no one is exempt. The Holy Spirit consoles the Christian’s pain and encourages them to persevere.
The Holy Spirit guides believers in the truth. Like a counselor or advisor, He helps Christians to make personal decisions that are consistent with God’s will and aligned with His Word. By following the Holy Spirit’s leading, believers honor God and become more effective laborers in His kingdom.