“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
(John 14:26)
Although the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, and therefore equal in power and glory with the Father and the Son, He is often overlooked in our thoughts and worship. But contrary to what many believe, the Spirit is not just some metaphysical force or influence; He is fully God and fully active in the plan of redemption. His titles, presence, and operations in Scripture make this abundantly clear.
We know from Scripture that the Father planned redemption, the Son accomplished it, and the Spirit applies it to the hearts of the elect. He regenerates the soul (John 3:5–8), sanctifies the believer (Rom. 15:15–16), strengthens us with power (Eph. 3:16), seals us for the day of redemption (Eph. 4:30), and comforts us with unshakable grace. He teaches, guides, convicts, and reminds us of truth. In other words, He is truly the Helper whom Christ promised.
And yet, how often do we grieve Him? How many times do we suppress His leading, close our ears to His voice in the Word, and neglect to thank Him for His intimate work within us? Though He indwells us, we so easily become dull to His holy presence. We recite gospel truths and speak of the Son’s love and the Father’s mercy, all the while forgetting that the very power that enables us to understand such things is the Spirit’s.
He opens our eyes to behold Christ in the Scriptures (Eph. 1:17–18). Without Him, even the Apostles—though taught directly by Christ—would not have grasped the truth in full. Calvin rightly stated that without the Spirit’s illumination, all doctrine is dim, all hearing is deafness, and all seeing is blindness. For it is the Spirit who quickens life, who speaks to our hearts, and who brings Christ’s words to remembrance.
And because He is a permanent resident in the believer’s heart, the Spirit is every present to comfort, convict, and restore us through the daily trials, temptations and decisions of life. In fact, His presence is as sure as the promise of God Himself, for Christ declared that He would abide with us forever.
This truth causes us to pause and reflect on how we have treated the Holy Spirit. Have we grieved Him through careless sin? Have we hardened ourselves to His promptings in the Word? Have we taken for granted His gracious work in illuminating truth and sustaining our faith?
We must confess our neglect of Him with sorrow, and be thankful that He continues to work even in our weakness. May our hearts be rekindled in affection for our Helper, and our lives be more consciously dependent on His presence and power.
Contemplation:
- Neglect of the Spirit. I often give glory to the Father and the Son—and rightly so—but how often do I acknowledge the Spirit who indwells me, teaches me, convicts me, and strengthens me? I confess that I have taken His presence for granted. I ask for help without recognizing He is the very help promised. Lord, forgive my disregard and renew in me a deep and grateful reverence for Your Spirit.
- Grieving the Spirit. Your Word says, “Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God” (Eph. 4:30), yet I have grieved Him in my pride, my haste, my unholy thoughts, and my forgetfulness of His nearness. I confess that I have spoken rashly, acted selfishly, and walked in the flesh rather than in the Spirit. I plead for mercy and cleansing, that I may not resist the Spirit but yield to Him fully.
- Dullness of Heart. Though the Spirit teaches me all things, I confess that I am often dull of hearing. I find myself distracted while reading His Word. I rush through prayer. I expect fruit without abiding. I mourn my lack of joy, but fail to sit at His feet. Forgive me, Lord, for not cultivating a tender awareness of Your Spirit’s guidance. Soften my heart and make me teachable again.
- Slowness to Worship. Spirit of God, You open my eyes to see the glory of Christ and draw me to adore Him. Yet I have often worshiped in form and not in spirit. I’ve sung with my lips but not with my heart. I’ve approached the throne of grace coldly, when You long to stir me with the warmth of heaven. Forgive me for my indifference and fill me anew with holy affection.
Prayer (Confession):
O Holy Spirit, divine Helper and blessed Comforter, I confess that I’ve often overlooked Your work in my life. Though You dwell in me, though You teach me truth, though You sustain me daily in my faith, I have not given You the honor due to Your name. Forgive me, Lord, for the sin of forgetfulness. Forgive me for disregarding the work You perform in me.
You are the Spirit of truth, and yet I have resisted truth through pride. You are the Spirit of holiness, yet I have walked carelessly. You are the Spirit of adoption, and yet I have lived as one distant from the Father. You have poured out love in my heart, and I have repaid it with coldness and neglect.
I confess the many times I have grieved You with unspoken sin, and with sins of speech, thought, and motive. I have quenched the fire of devotion. I have preferred the distractions of this world over the quiet whispers of Your Word. I have let fear reign where You have offered power, love, and a sound mind.
O Spirit of grace, have mercy upon me. Do not withdraw Your comfort. Do not abandon Your instruction. Rekindle within me a right spirit—a willing heart, a submissive mind, a watchful soul. Bring again to my remembrance all that Christ has said. Lead me into truth and keep me there.
I ask that You make me more sensitive to Your voice, more alert to Your leading, more ready to obey Your promptings. Let me not move forward unless You go with me. Let me not speak unless You guide my tongue. Let me not think contrary to Your light.
You are my Helper. You are the Spirit of wisdom and counsel, of comfort and conviction, of power and praise. Help me to walk in the Spirit that I may not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Shape my affections to love what You love. Fix my eyes on Christ. Establish my steps in holiness, and let the peace of God rule in my heart.
Forgive, renew, and fill me again.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further References for John 14:26:
John 14:16, 15:26, 16:7, 13; 1 John 2:20, 2:27; Acts 2:33; Nehemiah 9:20.
