The Helper

OLD TESTAMENT: Haggai 1-2

POETRY: Psalm 143

NEW TESTAMENT: John 16:5-16

Jesus follows up his warnings of persecution in John 16 by promising his disciples a helper. Or, more specifically, the Helper. 

Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send it to you. And when it comes, it will convict the world concerning sin, and concerning righteousness, and concerning judgment. (John 16:7-8 REV)

To human beings who rely on our five senses to understand the world around us, it can be hard to make sense of this invisible power mysteriously referred to as the Helper. Jesus is vague in his description of the Helper—so vague that the disciples may have been picturing a cape-wearing, hammer-throwing, bad-guy-slaying superhero. 

Throughout the New Testament, in Jesus’ teachings and the following epistles, we get a clearer picture of what the Helper is. We most commonly refer to the Helper as the Holy Spirit. It is the power and presence of God active in the lives of believers.

Using scripture as our reference, let’s demystify what the Holy Spirit is doing in your life. (If you’ve committed to following Christ, this power is already inside you! If you haven’t yet, this power is available to you!) 

The Holy Spirit, through Jesus, dwells in us to be our helper. 

This helper is the spirit of truth, which the world is not able to receive, because it does not see it or know it. You know it, for it is present with you, and will be in you. (John 14:17 REV)

The Holy Spirit is received at conversion and is the seal of our salvation. 

In union with him you also, when you heard the message of truth—the good news of your salvation—and when you believed in him, were marked with a seal—the promised holy spirit. (Ephesians 1:13 REV)

The Holy Spirit guides us in truth & convicts us of our sin.

And when it comes, it will convict the world concerning sin, and concerning righteousness, and concerning judgment. (John 16:8 REV)

The Holy Spirit produces fruit to help us live set apart from the world. 

But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23 REV)

The Holy Spirit equips us with spiritual gifts to build up the church.

Now to each one the manifestation of the spirit is given for the common good. For to one is given through the spirit a message of wisdom, and to another a message of knowledge by means of the same spirit, to a different one trust by the same spirit, and to another gifts of healings by the one spirit, and to another energizings of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to a different one various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. Now all these are energized by the one and the same Spirit, distributing to each one individually just as he purposes. (1 Corinthians 12:7-11 REV)

Through Jesus’ sacrifice, which made you a vessel fitting of the Holy Spirit, God’s power lives in you. Whether you’ve realized this before or not, you wield a supernatural force—your very own super power, your helper.

-Mackenzie McClain

Reflection Questions

1. When are you aware of the Spirit?
2. What help have you received from the Spirit?
3. How can you work closer with your Helper?