John 16:7 says “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. “

John 16:13-14 says, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.”

In verse 7, Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as the Comforter. In verse 14; He refers to the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Truth, and a Guider. Jesus also points out that “He (the Holy Spirit) will shew you things to come”; which is also the function of a Teacher.

In the above passages, Jesus Himself introduces the Holy Spirit as a person. Jesus is going to his father’s house (Heaven) and in his absence He sends another Person to be with His people. When Jesus was in this world, he was teaching the will of God the Father; after His ascension, He wishes to continue teaching His people. So Jesus says in John Chap. 16:14 that the Holy Spirit will show us things to come. And also He says that the ultimate aim of the Holy Spirit is to glorify Jesus Christ in this world. The Holy Spirit does not lift or glorify any particular person from this world. He will use his people, not for anyone’s popularity, but for the Glory of Jesus.

It is important that we understand how the Holy Spirit enriches each and every believers lives. We must experience the Holy Spirit in the following three capacities in our Daily Spiritual lives; we must be able to experience Him as a Comforter, as a Guider, and as a Teacher.

How do we experience him as our Comforter?

John Chap. 14:26 says “But the Comforter, [even] the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance to all that I said unto you. “

Most of Jesus Christ’s ministry, while on earth, was involved with healing the sick, comforting the poor, providing and preaching justice to those who were wronged and discriminated against. Jesus is always arbitrating for all according to what is true and what is real, giving importance to what is on the inside than that which is on the outside.

For e.g. in Mark 12:41-44, “and he sat down over against the treasury, and beheld how the multitude cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a poor widow, and she cast in two mites, which make a farthing.  And he called unto him his disciples, and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, this poor widow cast in more than all they that are casting into the treasury:  for they all did cast in of their superfluity; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, [even] all her living”. I surely believe that this is a word of comfort to those that are less privileged than others. Another incident in Luke 8:43-48 talks about a woman having an issue of blood for twelve years and was healed by Jesus. Jesus says to her, “Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.”

John 8.1-11 talks about a sinful lady who was brought into the presence of Jesus, “And the scribes and the Pharisees bring a woman taken in adultery; and having set her in the midst”. Pay particular attention to the answer that Jesus gives in verse 8:7, “But when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her”. Finally Jesus in comforting the lady says in verse 8:10, “And Jesus lifted up himself, and said unto her, Woman, where are they? Did no man condemn thee?  And she said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said, neither do I condemn thee: go thy way; from henceforth sin no more.”

In the above examples, it must be pointed out how Jesus Christ was comforting the right people at the right time.  Jesus’ words have a comforting effect on the poor, the sick, and the sinners alike. Any one of any status can find comfort in Jesus at any time. His Words that are written in the Bible still comfort many even today. In the same manner, the Holy Spirit, in the physical absence of Jesus Christ, is comforting His people with the word of God.  This is the reason why Jesus sent The Holy spirit, as a Comforter, into this world, especially to His Church. The Holy Spirit comforts the church in a manner and personality that is unique only to Him (to be explained in upcoming articles).

I urge all believers to experience this Holy Spirit as a comforter in their daily lives, in all their trials, their temptations, and their persecutions. Paul says in Hebrews 12:3, “For consider him that hath endured such gainsaying of sinners against himself, that ye wax not weary, fainting in your souls”, reminding us to consider Jesus in all our ways. One of the ways a believer may experience the comforting power of the Holy Spirit is when he is worried about a particular situation in his life. The Holy Spirit brings specific portions of the word of God into this believer’s mind thus bringing comfort to him. Just as Jesus Christ comforted people while he was on earth, the Holy Spirit continues to comfort people in a much more significant way in this present age.

Thank you and God bless you!!

Note: Please stay tuned for upcoming articles about the Holy Spirit in following weeks. Please offer your comments/feedback/suggestions/ideas in the comments section below.