Read John 14:15-17
15 If you love me, obey my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. (NLT)
Discover
1. Who is named in verse 16?
2. According to these verses, what is the role of the Holy Spirit?
3. How do believers view the Holy Spirit differently from how the world views Him?
Respond
Jesus’ disciples had the incredible privilege to walk and talk with Him on earth. Yet soon before He would be arrested, Jesus told them that after He was crucified and ascended to heaven, they would experience His presence in a new way – through the Holy Spirit.
The Greek word for Advocate in verse 16 can also be interpreted as Comforter, Encourager, Helper, Strengthener, Intercessor, or Counselor. This is what was promised to the disciples, and it’s what we have the privilege of experiencing everywhere we go today. The Holy Spirit lives within us. As one Bible commentary puts it, “To have the Holy Spirit is to have Jesus Himself.” 1
Have you fully grasped what the promise of the Holy Spirit means for you personally? Here are some next steps you can take:
How You Can Pray
Spend some time thanking God for the promise of the Holy Spirit and the privilege of having Him indwell you to comfort and help you. Acknowledge any tendencies to not live in the power of the Holy Spirit. Ask God to give you a fresh awareness of His presence, and commit to letting His Spirit lead you.
What You Can Do
Listen to the song, “Holy Spirit,” by Jesus Culture. Meditate on the lyrics, and let them become your own heart’s cry as you invite the Holy Spirit into your life. (Here are links to watch on YouTube or listen on Apple Music or Spotify.2)
1 Beers, Ronald A., General Editor. Life Application Study Bible: New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2019.
2 TPCC does not necessarily endorse all linked sources. They are simply meant to be a helpful tool.