Welcome back to week 17. Last week we considered the identity of the Holy Spirit. Today we will be considering the function of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life and counseling process.

The Holy Spirit’s function in the believer’s life is multifaceted. He is the Comforter, Counselor, and Advocate of the church who works on their behalf. He bears witness in their hearts that they belong to God.^[1] The Holy Spirit is thesanctifying power who works within God’s people (Ezek. 37:28; Rom. 15:16). 

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the distinguishing characteristic between a believer and an unbeliever (Rom. 8:9-11; 1 Cor. 2:12-13; 6:19). Moreover, when someone has the Holy Spirit indwelling them their life bears the fruit of His transforming power (Gal. 5:16-23). The Holy Spirit provides the much-needed intimate connection between God and His children (Gal. 5:24). 

The Holy Spirit also brings joy to believers (Rom. 14:17; 1 Thess. 1:6), He uses the truth of God’s Word to teach believers and help them develop in wisdom (Prov. 1:23; Luke 2:26; John 14:26; 16:13-14; 1 Cor. 2:10, 13). He gives hope to believers (Rom. 15:13; Gal. 5:5), helps believers live a godly life (John 14:16-17; 16:13; Heb. 10:14-15; Is. 30:21; Ezek. 36:27), and helps them in their weaknesses (Rom. 8:26). Although the Holy Spirit’s role in the believer’s life could be multiplied in more depth there is one additional role upon which we will focus.

The Holy Spirit is also a Convicter of sin in men’s lives. This is true of the believer and unbeliever alike. The Holy Spirit convicts men of their sin by applying the truth of God’s Word to their hearts which exposes their wickedness and need for repentance and righteousness (John 16:7-11). 

In the counseling process (i.e., intense discipleship), it is critical that we first attempt to ascertain, to the best of our fruit examining abilities, whether or not the counselee (disciple) is a believer. The reason for that is profound and simple. One cannot effectively counsel an unbeliever. An unbeliever will not submit to the authority of God’s Word (1 Cor. 2:14). Thus, all the counseling (i.e., discipleship) that can be done with an unbeliever is pre-counseling; evangelism. The believer, on the other hand, thanks to a changed heart and indwelling Holy Spirit, can be counseled. The believer will be convicted by the Holy Spirit. The believer will land on submission to God’s Word (1 John 2:27; 3:24; 5:3; Gal. 5:22). The Holy Spirit empowered believer will make a repentant turn back to the Lord.   

We hope our short time considering pneumatology this week was helpful. Lord willing, next week we will consider week three of pneumatology. Does the Holy Spirit guide Christians? Until then may our Lord bless you and keep you.

^[1] Ps. 139:7-8; Is. 11:2; John 14:16; 15:26; 16:7; Acts 9:31; Rom. 8:26-27; 1 Cor. 2:10-11; 12:7-11; 2 Cor. 1:3; Eph. 4:30.