The Holy Spirit is the divine Comforter
In Part 2: We saw that the Holy Scriptures in the bible contain tremendous comfort and encouragement for not only for ourselves but also that we can share with others.
In Part 3 we are going to look at the Holy Spirit as the divine Comforter (Paraclete or Parakletos) which can also be translated as Comforter, Advocate, Helper, one called alongside to help and Counsellor.
John 14:16-20, 25-27, with the translation of Paraclete as Advocate (shown in bold):
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.
25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 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. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
To have the Holy Spirit as our Paraclete is to have God Himself indwelling us as believers. The Holy Spirit teaches us the Word and guides us into truth. He reminds us of what Jesus has taught so that we can depend on His Word in the difficult times of life. The Spirit works in us to give us His peace (John 14:27), His love (John 15:9–10), and His joy (John 15:11).
He comforts our hearts and minds in a troubled world. The power of the indwelling Paraclete gives us the ability to live by the Spirit and “not gratify the desires of the sinful flesh” (Galatians 5:16).
The Spirit can then produce His fruit in our lives (Galatians 5:22–23) to the glory of God the Father.
What a blessing to have the Holy Spirit in our lives as our Paraclete—our Comforter, our Encourager, our Counsellor, and our Advocate!
Amen
Closing Prayer