Advocate (in its noun form) is a person who pleads the cause of another. In today’s world, we hear the word “advocate” frequently in relation to special needs/interest groups like autistic children, orphans and people in the LGTBQ community. Another common reference used nowadays is as about developing the skill of “self-advocacy.”
“Advocate” is also one of the titles used for the Holy Spirit in scripture.**
But the Advocate, 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. John 14:26
The role of an advocate is to offer support to those who feel they are not being heard, to help ensure they are taken seriously, and that their rights are respected. Additionally, an advocate assists people in accessing and understanding appropriate information and services related to their needs.
Agreeing to be someone’s durable power of attorney (handling someone’s affairs if they become mentally incapable) is a form of advocacy. This commitment means when the time comes that this person cannot express their wishes clearly to those who are caring for them, I will do it on their behalf.
Self-Advocacy is the ability to speak up for what I need. The first step in this is self-awareness, that is, understanding what I need. Next, it’s knowing what help or support will address those needs. And finally, having the ability to communicate those needs to others who can provide that help or support.
The Holy Spirit as my Advocate:
- Understands what I need
- Knows what help/support will meet those needs
- Communicates my needs and solutions to God
I often don’t really understand what I need, or I mix up my needs with my wants, or think I have a need that’s really not as important as another need. I often see only a limited view of solutions to my troubles, needs, and challenges. The good news? The Advocate knows me better than I know myself! And the Advocate – through Christ – is the way to God.
No doubt about it, I often need the Advocate to communicate on my behalf. When my feelings are inexpressible, the Advocate prays in my place. He does what I can not do in my times of deepest hurt.
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. Romans 8:26
As Jesus is preparing His disciples for His departure, He tells them that it is better for Him to go so that the Advocate can come.
But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. John 16:7
Having access to the Spirit is better for us than having ‘the human form’ of Jesus. In His earthly body, Jesus was bound by space and time. He could not care for all of us the way He desired. And He wanted more for us.
“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth… I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:15-18
In Jesus’ time, when a Rabbi died, his disciples were spoken of as being orphaned. But Jesus is no ‘ordinary’ Rabbi! Through the Advocate, Jesus can care for each of us in a way that is uniquely catered to our specific needs and personalities.
Christ’s death on the cross was the ultimate act of advocacy.
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 1 John 2:1
Jesus plead for us. And He bled for us.
Because of this act, He opened the door for our permanent Advocate to dwell in us through faith. Believing Jesus died for me is the invitation to the Holy Spirit to reside in me, to enter into a binding agreement to be My Advocate.
Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as one pleads for a friend. Job 16:19-21
** Holy Spirit comes from the Greek term “Paraclete”, which is a rich word for which there is no sufficient English translation. Attempts such as Advocate, Counselor, Helper, Friend fail because they emphasize only one of many aspects of the meaning. Therefore, this post is not meant to be full study on the Holy Spirit.