Paraclete
Paraklētos
(The Comforter)
The Day of Pentecost
Pentecost Sunday 2025 has come and gone, but the significance of that sacred day breathes life into our spirits eternally. This particular day beautifully commemorates the powerful descent of the Holy Spirit. We are reminded of how He swept down in the upper room, where Jesus’ disciples and followers were told to wait. His entrance was like the sound of a rushing mighty wind, with tongues of fire that sat upon each one of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues as the Holy Spirit gave them the ability to speak.(Acts 2:1–4).
Beyond the awesome wonder of that day, we’re forever reminded of something even more meaningful: the reason why the Holy Spirit came. Jesus knew that once He ascended to the Father, without Him as our Shepherd, we would be like lost little lambs, helpless and in a most vulnerable state. That is why He promised that the Comforter would come. He said in John 14:16, “I will pray to the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever.” Likewise, in John 16:7, Jesus told the disciples that it was expedient that He go away, because if not, the Comforter would not come.
The question is, who is the Comforter? He is the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity; God the Spirit. He is God's Spirit, the one who resides here on earth and lives in the hearts of believers.
The Presence and Power
Often, I flip through my mother’s old books. One that I am always drawn to is titled Flying Closer to the Flame by Charles Swindoll. The central theme highlights that living a true Christian life is only possible when a believer fully surrenders to the presence, power, and prompting of the Holy Spirit. The author refers to the Holy Spirit as the Paraclete, as noted in John 14:16 (DRC), where the original Greek term means, “one called alongside” to comfort, guide, and advocate. As Paraclete, the Holy Spirit helps, supports, guides, reminds, and intercedes for believers, and as well as so much more.
My Personal Experience
Sometimes, I feel a little unsteady, and these are the moments when I inhale and exhale, quiet my soul, and ask the Comforter to lead and guide me in the way that I should go. Softly, He whispers peace in my spirit while flooding my heart with strength to endure. As always, He is here, showing up again and again.
Yes, it is true that the Comforter will bring things back to your remembrance. When I forget small things that could have a negative impact on my day, He gives me a gentle nudge and a reminder. My response is always the same: Thank you, Holy Spirit.
Staying Yielded and Not Grieving Him
As a child, I was taught to give reverence to the Holy Spirit and His operations. I once heard and agree, that God is serious when it comes to the Holy Spirit because He is the only Godhead of the trinity who is here on earth. Matthew 12:31-32 warns that every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. Likewise, whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come
Yet, although the Holy Spirit is powerful, He is gentle and does not force Himself on anyone. As gently as He comes and dwells within our hearts, quietly, He will leave without us ever knowing. The perfect example is seen in Judges 16:17-22. The Holy Spirit departed from Samson because of his disobedience to God after illicitly revealing the secret of his strength to Delilah. His strength was a gift from God, symbolized by his uncut hair, which was a Nazarite vow. When Samson broke his covenant because of disobedience, it revealed a heart that had strayed away from God. Ultimately, the Philistines came to subdue him. Sampson thought he would be able to shake himself free as other times before, but he wasn’t able to do so. The Spirit of God had left him and he didn’t even know it.
Therefore, as for me, I continually pray Psalm 51, “Please Heavenly Father, cast me not away from thy presence and please don’t take your Holy Spirit away from me.
Final Reflection and Call to Action
I would like to emphasize the importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit. Amidst chaos and societal pressures, God’s sustaining presence offers strength and unwavering stability. 1 John 4:4 reassures us that greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. This gives light to the power of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. The world and all it has to offer will try to consume us, but with His indwelling power, we are overcomers, we win.
Apostle Peter boldly declares in Acts 2:38, “Repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Equally important, in Acts 1:8, he affirms that after the Holy Spirit comes upon us, we shall receive power to be witnesses in the uttermost parts of the earth. The Holy Spirit desires to fill us with His presence and empower us, not only to serve but also to live a holy, and victorious life.
Don't resist, lean in.
Stay encouraged.
Annie Eva
