He Gave Us a Helper

By Greg Laurie, Op-ed contributor Wednesday, June 17, 2009

"I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever." - John 14:16

There is a lot of misunderstanding about the Holy Spirit today. We can turn on a "Christian" television program and see some rather bizarre things taking place in the name of the Holy Spirit. But is this really the Holy Spirit?

Some of us may look at those things and say, "I don't know if I want that in my life. It frightens me." It frightens me too.

The good news is that this is not the work of the Holy Spirit. Rather, it is a misrepresentation of Him. That is why it is important to gain a biblical understanding of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as a helper. The word helper is translated from the Greek word paraclete, which means, "one called alongside to help."

During the days that Jesus walked this earth, His disciples had the wonderful privilege of talking with Him and listening to Him. But then He ascended into heaven.

Jesus had promised His disciples (and essentially all followers of His to this very day) that He would lead them from that point forward in an entirely new way. This would take place through the Holy Spirit:

I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever-the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. (John 14:16–17)

God's Holy Spirit wants to help you. He is there for you. He wants to do a wonderful work in your life. And He will abide with you forever.

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