What role does
this Spirit play in the believer’s life and the counseling process?
The Holy Spirit has an important,
vital role in our lives as believers. He is participatory in our coming to Christ,
giving us the understanding, and ability to receive salvation by faith; “…no
one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:3) We
are indwelt by the Spirit at the time of salvation. This is only true of believers in the church
age, and began on the Day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2. This sensational expression of the Spirit including
speaking in tongues, and the flames above the heads of believers was a one-time
event marking the Spirit’s coming to indwell Christians as never before. Now, this indwelling occurs immediately for
all who by faith personally receive Christ as Saviour, without requiring
fanfare or physical evidence (Romans 5:5, 1 Corinthians 2:12, 2 Corinthians
5:5). Baptism of the Holy Spirit is also
a post-Pentecost Age experience of every believer at salvation (Acts 1:5, 1
Corinthians 12:13, Ephesians 4:5, Colossians 2:12). The Holy Spirit also acts a seal on our
salvation, which is proof of the authenticity of our salvation, and also
demonstrates the permanency of our salvation (2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians
1:13, Ephesians 4:30).
While indwelling, baptism, and sealing of the
Spirit all take place for every believer at the moment of salvation and are
permanent, there is one temporary presence of the Holy Spirit mentioned in
Scripture, called “filling”. Spirit
filling involves two aspects, the first being; “a sovereign act of God whereby
He possesses someone for special activity”.2 Examples of people who experienced this type
of “filling” would be; John the Baptist (Luke 1:15), Elizabeth (Luke 1:41),
Zacharias (Luke 1:67), believers present on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4),
Peter (Acts 4:8), and Paul (Acts 9:17, 13:9).
There is a second, life-long type
of “filling” mentioned in the Bible which; “may be described as the extreme
influence and control of the Spirit in a believers life.”3 Scriptural examples of this type of filling
include; Christ (Luke 4:1), Stephen (Acts 7:55), Barnabas (Acts 11:24), and the
disciples (Acts 13:52). All believers
are instructed to be filled by the Spirit in Ephesians 5:18. “This facet of the Spirit’s filling is the
finest character reference one could have.
It seems to be something every believer can experience but not something
every believer does experience (Acts 6:3).”4
The Holy Spirit indwelling every
believer provides us with so many benefits and blessings. Personally the hope He alone can give is a
tremendous gift; “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in
believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
(Romans 15:13) The Holy Spirit is also;
the giver of spiritual gifts to build up the body of Christ, and glorify God (1 Peter
4:10, 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, Ephesians 4:11-13), teacher of spiritual
truth (John 16:12-15), guide to all of God’s children (Romans 8:14), and our
assurance of eternal life (Romans 8:16). He prays for us (Romans 8:26), and provides enablement
to live righteously rather than in sin (Romans 8:13, Galatians 5:16,17).
In the counseling process the Holy
Spirit enables an unsaved counselee to see their need for Christ, and come to
faith (1 Corinthians 12:3). He also
enlightens spiritual truth, giving us understanding (John 16:12-15). He is the source of hope in all Biblical
counsel (Romans 15:13), and a guide to both the counselor and the counselee as
His children (Romans 8:14) in the process of becoming more like Christ (Romans
8:13).
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