The Comfort of the Comforter
As a believer, the God in you can provoke and choke the devil. Every time a believer prays, completes a fast, reads the bible, or engages in any activity to maintain or enhance our relationship with God, the devil is not only unhappy but goes on the attack. However, the bible says, that God has provided us a “Comforter” which is the Holy Ghost” that helps believers choke the life out of the devil’s plans to torture and destroy us. The “Comforter “not only provides peace of mind and God’s assurance in times of trouble, but the Holy Spirit also strengthens us and empowers us to change our condition and circumstances, and allows us to combat the devil’s attacks using the spirit of the almighty God within us.
Part of the word “Comforter” is”fort” which comes from the Latin term “fortis” which means “strong”. One of the primary functions of the Holy Spirit is to strengthen and fortify us. Act 1: 8 says, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you”. Knowing and remaining cognizant of the fact that as a spirit filled believer, you have a God force within you that is formidable and mighty enough to tackle any problems you encounter is a comfort. John 14:26 says, “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 remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you”. This scripture means when the bills aren’t paid that the “Comforter” will bring to your remembrance that Philippians 4:19 said, “God will supply every need”. When you are in an environment where people are attempting to mistreat you, abuse you, or you feel unsafe, the “Comforter” will remind you that Psalms 23 says that we should “fear no evil” and that God “preparest a table before us in the presence of our enemies”. Whatever the circumstances, whatever the need, the Holy Ghost is there to remind you that as Mathew 7:7 says, “Ask and it shall be given to you; seek, and you will find”.
In addition, to strengthening us and empowering us the “Comforter” acts as a guide as we strive to maintain our faith and grow as believers. As believers, we are always seeking answers to the questions and circumstances that arise in our lives. God what should I do next? God did I handle that right? God were you speaking to me or was it the enemy trying to trick me? God what is your plan for my life? As believers, we know that in order to find the answers to these questions, in order to edify ourselves, and in order to develop an understanding of God; we must read God’s word. Yet, the scriptures tell us God is mysterious. The bible talks about the “mystery of God”, the “mystery of faith”, “the mystery of iniquity”. God and God’s word are hard to understand. The bible also lets us know in 1 Corinthians 13:12 that “Now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face”. This scripture means that there are some things about God we are never going to know while we are alive. Yet, we are charged to, “study to show ourselves approved unto God…” Therefore, it is our job as Christians to continually learn as much as we can about God. Consequently, God gave us the Holy Spirit to assist us with this conundrum. John 16:13 says, “However, when the spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth”. The “Comforter” provides some comfort and clarity as we undertake the difficult task of sorting out the truths and mysteries about God and this walk with God- Thank God. The “Comforter” also called “the Spirit of Truth” in John 14:17, is our God given interpreter and guide through the scriptures and our internal connection to God.
In Acts 2:38 the Holy Ghost is referred to as a “gift”. When someone gives you a gift it is because they want to please you and award you with something special. The gift of the Holy Spirit is a special reminder that God wants to provide for us and wants a deep connection with us. Any time I speak in tongues it’s a reminder that God is in me and still with me. The bible says that speaking in tongues is a form of communication between the believer and God. 1 Corinthians 14:2 says, “For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men but unto God…” This means that God gave believers a gift that he meant for us to use to speak just to him. A gift that will forge a profound bond with God that will help us counteract the attacks of the enemy; that will help us discern the scriptures; that will help us meet all our financial needs and buy what we want when we want; and that will help us live a life that pleases God. The Holy Ghost is a gift that God wants all believers to have.
Jesus said in John 14:18, “I will not leave you comfortless”, and he hasn’t. God has provided the gift of the Holy Ghost to comfort, strengthen, fortify, edify, and guide us through all the peaks and valleys of our life. Once you are filled with the Holy Spirit you have the comfort of knowing you’ve been empowered with God’s spirit to defeat the devil, fix your finances, clear up your confusion, and testify to God’s goodness.
