What is the relevance of the Holy Spirit to us today? Jesus said,

“When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.” (John 16:8-11)

The Holy Spirit will convict the world of guilt. The world is on trial about Jesus and our relationship with God he reveals. There is a suppression about the truth Jesus comes to bring in every person. There is a denial of guilt. Even religious people can claim to be without sin and guilt. Psychology can work to eliminate guilt in the minds of those who are distressed. Leisure activities can crowd out conviction about guilt. Atheism is a form of denial about accountability to God. Without the Holy Spirit enlightening our minds and convicting our consciences we cannot admit our guilt.

“The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him?” (1 Cor.2:10,11)

Most of us spend a lifetime concealing who we are from others. We keep up appearances and only reveal to others what we want them to know about us. There is very little transparency and honesty in relationships. We are terrified that if anyone knew what we know about ourselves we would have no friends and they would not accept us. This does not mean that we should take everyone into our confidences but most of us hide behind our accomplishments and cannot admit our failures. Our denial gets passed on from parents to children. We hide from one another and cannot accept whatever happened in our past lives. Instead of learning from one another we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. Confession is good for the soul and for family relationships.

The older I get and the closer I get to Judgment Day the more I become aware of my own sinfulness. The Prayer for Purity which begins the Holy Communion service in the Book of Common Prayer has become my favorite.

“Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord.”

Only the Holy Spirit can convict us of guilt and cleanse us by the atoning death of Christ. God knows our hearts, our desires, our secrets and our thoughts. Only God can enable us to truly love our neighbor and worthily worship. Our relationships with others are continually frustrated by our covering up our failings, our weaknesses, our stupidity, our bad choices, our pride, our unrighteousness and our slavery to the world, the flesh and the devil. We need and the whole world needs the work of the Holy Spirit to convict us. Come, Holy Spirit.