“But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.”  John 16:11

      The various Bible translations struggle with this word “Helper“.  Some translations use the word “Comforter, Helper” or “Advocate“.  The actual word is “Paraclete“.  It means to “come along side.”  Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to come along beside the believer to help him accomplish the will of God. 

      So the Holy Spirit is our wing-man!  I am not trying to be cavalier.  This word Paraclete is actually a greek military term.  Greek soldiers fought in pairs.  When in the heat of battle, each soldier became the other’s Paraclete in combat.  They would back-up to each other so that each man had a rear guard against the enemy.   It is interesting Jesus chose this word to describe the type of job the Holy Spirit would have in the life of those who followed the Lord.  Is the Holy Spirit your Paraclete today?  Are you trying to accomplish the known will of God on your own?  Maybe you fancy yourself a “Lone Ranger” type of Christian. 

     Jesus never intended for you to travel alone without a Paraclete.  The truth is we all need help, especially when it comes to spiritual warfare.  Ask the Lord for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit in your life today.  Treat Him as your Holy Wing-man.