"As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, 'Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.' So he started out, and he met the treasurer of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under the Kandake, the queen of Ethiopia. The eunuch had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and he was now returning. Seated in his carriage, he was reading aloud from the book of the prophet Isaiah. The Holy Spirit said to Philip, 'Go over and walk along beside the carriage.'" (Acts 8:26-29, emphasis mine)
It is that last sentence, when the Holy Spirit gives specific instructions to Philip, that convicted me. Too often do I forget that the Holy Spirit is a person, and as such, He wants to speak to me specifically, just as he did to Philip in the verse above. Too often do I assume that the Holy Spirit will give just a general direction for me to follow in my life. Too often do I get so consumed with the business of life that I don't stop and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to me and fill me.
I am far too ignorant of the Holy Spirit's power in my life. I think that the Church as a whole is the same way. We seem to know about God the Father, and God the Son, but how much do we know about God the Holy Spirit? I want to repent and reflect upon, be knowledgeable of, and know the roles that the Holy Spirit plays in my life every day. Below are some of the different roles that He fulfills in the life of the believer. This is not a comprehensive list by any means, but it is a good start.
Advocate
"If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth." (John 14:15-17)
Some translations of this passage call the Holy Spirit our Comforter, Encourager, or Counselor, which are all true, but the most literal translation is Advocate. The Holy Spirit acts as our defense in the spiritual realm. Much like an attorney will defend their client in a court of law against accusations, the Holy Spirit defends us against false accusations that the enemy throws at us. It is also important to note that the Spirit "leads into all truth". People may say they feel the Holy Spirit "prompting" them to do this or that (just watch the majority of religious t.v. shows), but if their actions do not fall in line with scripture, they are only following their own desires.
Guide and Power for Evangelism
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere -- in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)
Several times in the book of Acts, the Holy Spirit empowered Christians to spread the gospel (see Acts 4:8,31, and 8:4,29) It is important that we do not try to minister, disciple, or evangelize in our own power, but ask the Holy Spirit to fill us and be our guide. Also, often times worrying that we will not say the right thing keeps us from witnessing or simply speaking God's Word into another person's life. Jesus' words to his disciples still speak to us today. "And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don't worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said." (Luke 12:12, emphasis mine)
Identifies Us As Children of God
"So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, 'Abba, Father.' For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children." (Romans 8:15,16)
Some days, we may not "feel" like children of God. For whatever reason (sin, trials, hardships, heartache, etc.) God may seem miles away. But our feelings do not affirm us as God's children. The Holy Spirit does. If you have trusted in Christ alone for your salvation, the Holy Spirit has identified you and sealed you as God's child forever (see Ephesians 1:13,14).
Prays God's Will For Us
"And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will." (Romans 8:26,27)
What an incredible promise, and what freedom and confidence this passage should bring us when we don't know what to pray. The Holy Spirit is always interceding on our behalf, praying the perfect will of God for us. While we live on this earth, we are limited in our words and vocabulary when we pray. The Holy Spirit is not limited in any way. God is not waiting on us to pray or say exactly the right thing in order for Him to answer us. He knows our heart, and He knows what is best for us. How comforting to know that the Spirit helps us in our weakness.
