One of the works of the Holy Spirit is to comfort the Christian.
John 14:26 refers to Him as "… the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost..." Yet, even though this is the work of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit often uses His people to do this work.
That is why scripture also says "… comfort yourselves together
When the Christian yields themselves to the Holy Spirit of God, then they will find that they will be used to comfort those around them.
How is it that the Holy Spirit uses us to comfort one another?
First, the Holy Spirit uses FAITH to comfort people.
In Luke 8:48, Jesus said to the woman who was healed of the issue of blood, "Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole;..." The faith of this woman comforted her. If her faith could comfort her, then your faith can comfort others. When people see someone whose faith is strong, it comforts them by giving them security. When we exercise faith it helps all involved and others who only witness.
Second, the Holy Spirit uses the SCRIPTURE to comfort people.
Romans 15:4 says, "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." It is important that we learn the Scriptures so we can use them to comfort people. Nothing is more assuring than knowing that the Bible backs us up.
Third, the Holy Spirit uses PREACHING to comfort people.
According to 1 Corinthians 14:3, one of the purposes of preaching is to comfort people. This is one of the many reasons why it is critical to be at church regularly because you will hear preaching that will not only comfort you in your time of need, but it will help you to know what to say to others in their time of need. Moreover, you should bring those who need comfort to church so they can hear the preaching that the Holy Spirit will use to comfort them.
Fourth, the Holy Spirit uses your LOVE to comfort people.
Philippians 2:1 refers to the “comfort of love”. Why should we love people? Because loving them brings comfort to them. There is nothing like receiving a phone call from someone who loves you and hearing them say that they are praying for you and that they love you.
Fifth, the Holy Spirit will use the BLESSED HOPE of Christ to comfort people.
2 Thessalonians 4:18 tells us to “comfort one another” by reminding them that Jesus is coming again. The hope that one day all sorrow will end because Jesus is coming is a comfort to those who are hurting. One of the greatest tools of comfort is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
Sixth, the Holy Spirit uses FORGIVENESS to comfort people.
2 Corinthians 2:7-8 reminds us that when we forgive people, it comforts those whom we forgive. It teaches us that we should not be unforgiving but “ .. ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him”
Bitterness towards someone who's wronged you will not bring comfort to you or them. When someone knows you have forgiven them for what they did to you, that brings them comfort. How is your ministry of comfort? This list by no means says all there is to say on the subject, but hopefully helps us to be a better help to others.
Are you lacking in one of the tools the Holy Spirit uses to comfort others through you? Make each of these areas a priority in your life, and you will find that the Holy Spirit will comfort many people through you too!
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