April 2018

(I’ve been doing a series on the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Here are the links to the first and second posts.)

A pastor I once worked with told a story about miscommunication. After he had preached a sermon, he strolled to the back of the church so he could greet people as they left. One lady stopped to thank him for his sermon, going on about how this comment spoke to her and that insight helped.

He kind of stared at her because while he was grateful for her complements, he didn’t actually say the things she was rehearsing! But he felt the Lord tell him to smile and be quiet, so that’s what he did.

Reflecting on the incident, the pastor realized that the Spirit of God used his preaching to communicate a different truth to this lady’s heart.

Whether you preach, teach, write, or sing, you never know how people will interpret your words or how God will speak to their hearts.

Something like this happened to me when I was reading an article in Computerworld written by contributing editor JR Raphael. I’m no tech wizard, but I can understand the way he brings together digital details and trends.

On March 20, he posted a piece titled, “Google Is Creating Its Own Amazon Right Under Our Noses.” It dealt with the competition between these two giant companies over their AI (artificial intelligence) products. Amazon sells Alexa and Google promotes Assistant. These interactive software programs let you ask questions or give instructions to your phone, computer, or smart speaker and your device will respond. Yesterday’s science fiction is here today!

Raphael opened with the following paragraph: “The future of Google revolves around Assistant. That much is apparent — and the company’s ongoing focus on its virtual assistant above everything else (and as a thread connecting everything else) serves as a constant reminder.”

Right after I read that, I thought, “Wow, Google is trying to become the Holy Spirit! They’re building software that mimics the Spirit!”

Now, I realize that this sounds weird; how much do Google and God’s Spirit have much in common? But bear with me.

Four times John’s gospel, Jesus calls the Holy Spirit the Advocate:

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever– ¹⁷the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” – John 14:16-17

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” – John 14:26

“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father–the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father–he will testify about me.” – John 15:26

“But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” – John 16:7

The Greek word for “advocate” is “paracletos” which consists of two parts: “para” (alongside) and “cletos” (one called upon). A paraclete is one called alongside to help. That’s how Christ describes the Holy Spirit.

Why would the apostles need the Spirit? Why did Jesus emphasize Him? It’s because He was about to suffer, die, rise, and ascend back to heaven. He didn’t want the disciples to be alone, so He promised them the Spirit as “another advocate.” This implies that Jesus was Himself a Helper for the apostles, and soon the Spirit would take His place.

Jesus insisted that the disciples were better off with the Spirit than they were with Him. Do you believe that? Whom would you prefer to have around: the invisible Holy Spirit or the tangible, physical presence of Jesus Christ? I know my choice! I love the Spirit, but I want to see Jesus!

So what’s the benefit of receiving the Spirit? In these verses, Christ is stressing service, not relationship. To share the gospel, you’re better off with the indwelling Spirit than you are with Jesus standing next to you. In a physical body, Jesus is limited in space and time; if He’s in Galilee, He’s not in Bethlehem. But the Holy Spirit lives within all believers, so every Christian has access to God’s power and wisdom. And these come in handy when engaging in the work of the Lord.

Raphael claims that the future of Google rides on the widespread adoption of Assistant. The company wants to make their digital product ubiquitous; everywhere you go, you can access Assistant and get the help you need.

Translators of John’s gospel chose the word “Advocate” for “paracletos” but they could have adopted the word “Assistant.” That’s who the Holy Spirit is for us; He helps us discover and do the will of God on earth.

And this is Christ’s plan for His church. He wants all His followers to rely on the Spirit wherever they are and whatever they’re doing. If Google can catch the vision for a universal digital connecting thread, what’s preventing the church from relying on God’s Spirit to unite believers?

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” – Ephesians 4:3

More and more, AI is being integrated into our lives. Computers, tablets, TVs, phones, speakers–everything today is “smart.” They even have a name for this phenomenon: The Internet of Things.

The global extent of Google Assistant serves as a great analogy of the Holy Spirit filling every believer for effective ministry. With His anointing, the work that the church does in Jesus’ name will bear fruit.

Raphael didn’t have the Holy Spirit in mind when he wrote his article, but that’s what I learned from reading it. If you’re open, Jesus will use anything to teach you a spiritual lesson!