HOW THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS IN OUR WEAKNESS: A REFLECTION ON JOHN 14:15 by Nick Davis for Core Christianity
“You need help.” These words can elicit a strong reaction. They are easier to hear in the form of a question: “Do you need help?” The question at least gives us the opportunity to opt out, for denial. “No, I’m fine. I can take care of myself. I can do it myself.” But in the form of a statement, the words “you need help” give the diagnosis before the excuses ever have time to leave our mouth. These words can sound more like an accusation than a lifeline.
It’s one thing to admit, “I get by with a little help from my friends” (Lennon & McCartney). Most of us can agree to that. We even find ways to dress up such superficial admissions as strengths. In college I took a “Professionalism” class in which students were instructed on the finer points of job interviews. We were told to answer the common question, “What is your greatest weakness?” by saying something that is actually a strength, such as, “Well I work too hard or I’m often too invested in my projects” and so on. While such statements tickle the ears of a workaholic culture, they are hardly reflective of the state in which the Bible tells us we are in. The help that we need, the help that we learn to long for from the addict, the abuser and the powerless, is not a push in the right direction, but for resurrection and restoration.
1. The Holy Spirit gives us the freedom to admit our weakness.
The problem is that we are hindered from looking to the Holy Spirit for resurrection and restoration as long as we continue to fight admitting our own weakness. The very nature of asking for help entails a confession: “I can’t do it. I can’t stop. I can’t change on my own. I need help.” This is indeed the first step, but how can we get there if our inability to admit our weakness is part of the problem?
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We love helping others and believe that’s one of the reasons we are chosen as Ambassadors of the Kingdom, to serve God’s children. We look to the Greatest Commandment as our Powering force.
In John 14:15–17 we are given our answer that Jesus is for us, and that he prays for us. In the preceding verses of 12–14 we see Jesus promising his very own works will be done in and through us and “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it” (13–14). Jesus is for us and gives us this unconditional favor and access to him and to the Father. When we are given this good news, we are freed from the power to be our own strength, righteousness, and holiness. This is exactly how God intends for it to be. As Marva Dawn states,
