John records the words of Jesus in his gospel when he writes:
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— John 14:6
Another Advocate. The Spirit will continue the work of Jesus, for he himself has been the advocate/helper of the disciples. Jesus has been and will continue to be present and with his followers. Advocating. Helping. The Spirit will be poured out as another Advocate.
In Revelation 12:10, John, drawing upon all sorts of Hebrew imagery, describes Satan as the Accuser of God’s people. The story of Job springs to mind.
Too often I have veered toward the satanic by being more the Accuser of God’s people rather than their Advocate.
Sometimes it’s been quite unintentional on my part! After all, to be the Helper of others one must often point out what is amiss. Sin, transgressions, wicked attitudes and actions, and all ungodliness must be addressed. But there is a way an Advocate does that, and a very different way the Accuser does it.
Looking at my own tendencies, it is easier to be the Accuser than the Advocate. Criticism which tears down takes much less effort than edification which builds up.
When I read or hear some assertion that is illogical, poorly reasoned and constructed, and that abuses scripture by its application, the temptation to accuse is strong. So much easier.
The accuser wins the argument; the advocate helps the person. The Accuser is on some “other” side, while the Advocate is together with the one being helped. Though both point out error they do it in very different ways, at different times, toward different ends, and from different postures. One is a friend, and the other chooses the position of an enemy.
The Accuser is in a satanic posture, which is probably much worse than any sin which is the occasion of the accusation that is being brought. Keep me, Lord, from being the Accuser of your people.
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