Who are the people you want standing by your side when you face all that goes on in the world?

That idea of a person standing by your side is a powerful one, and one we need to have for ourselves as we walk through life. The Holy Spirit is described in just that way in the gospel of John when Jesus promises to send the Spirit to his disciples after he departs for heaven. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. (John 16:7)

You know a word is not easy to translate when it appears in several different versions in the translations! Along with “Advocate,” as we have it above, you can find “Friend,” “Helper,” . . . . “Counselor,” “Comforter,” “Encourager,” “Intercessor,” “Defender,” and likely more. Some don’t even try to pin it down to one English word and just use “the Paraclete,” which is a literal English version of the original Greek word.

The basic meaning is “someone called to your side to help you.” The Holy Spirit is sent to take over Jesus’ work, so much of what Jesus did for his disciples while he was with them continues on through the Holy Spirit. His teaching and reminding. His consoling them in trouble. His defending of them against the devil and fear with the promise of forgiveness and salvation. The disciples would not be without God as their companion. The Holy Spirit would be at their side to aid them in every need.

Unfortunately, there has been a huge growth over the last decades in using the name of the Spirit to back up all sorts of odd and unbiblical teaching and practices in some churches. The work of the Spirit when Jesus promised to send him is not to bring about all kinds of strange outward signs. The work of the Spirit as Jesus spoke about it is mainly on the inside:  

8When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. (John 16:8-11)

Where there are people who are convicted and believe in God’s view of sin, righteousness in Christ, and judgment, there is the Holy Spirit beside them working in them to bring them to salvation.