1 Peter 5:8-9 “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

The Scene: A fishing boat sitting low in the water, bobbing up and down– the boat has run out of fuel.

The enemy is a liar; resist him, stand firm. If Christians listen to the enemy they will be led away from their relationship with Father God and His Word. Speaking to the Pharisees at the temple, Jesus said to them, “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44

In this vision, the skipper of the boat debated whether or not he should fill the fuel tank on the boat before going out. The Holy Spirit had spoken to him and advised him to fill the tanks with fuel before leaving. As he pondered, another voice said to him, “Go right now! The fish are biting now. You have enough fuel.” The foolish captain listened to the latter voice. Now he is stuck, out of fuel far from shore.

The Holy Spirit was sent by Father God to the Church when Jesus was resurrected from the grave and ascended into heaven. Beginning at Pentecost (50 days after Jesus went back to the Father) the Holy Spirit came among the 120 who were told by Jesus to wait in the upper room for the Counselor who will come and help to guide the Church into all truth.

John 14:15-17 “If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever–the 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 14:25-26 “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, 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.”

Jesus gave us a helper and He said He would never leave His Church without help.

8-126 HOLY SPIRIT