Satan vs. The Holy Spirit

By Katie Patrizio

American life has been greatly influenced by certain Supreme Court decisions. Some have had such widespread effects that their title decisions are household names, e.g., Brown v. Board of Education, Roe v. Wade.

Our Gospel this Sunday offers a setup for another courtroom standoff, this one spiritual. Jesus, speaking to his disciples at the Last Supper, says, “I will ask the Father and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always.” The Greek word translated “Advocate” is parakletos. In the Greek it also possesses a fairly technical meaning: defense attorney. In other words, the Holy Spirit plays a very specific role in the spiritual life: He defends us on trial.

If the Holy Spirit is our defense attorney, who plays the role of the prosecution? Scripture paints a clear picture of our prosecutor if we pay attention. In Revelation 12:10, right after the devil is thrown out of Heaven, the text calls him, “The accuser of our brethren.” Zechariah 3:1 bolsters this image when the Scripture shows Satan standing at the right hand of the High Priest to accuse him.

This reality is often felt personally and keenly in our own experience of temptation and failure. The Enemy comforts us throughout temptation telling us all the things we need to hear to coax us into sin. But as soon as we have fallen, he leaps into another role, mocking us, accusing us, and reminding us of our weakness and wretchedness. Suddenly, we find ourselves in the middle of a schoolyard bully ring – and the primordial Enemy is the taunter. It can be terrifying and overwhelming.

Does God join in on the mocking? Sometimes the Enemy’s voice is so convincing we can believe that, in fact, God does mock and accuse us. But Jesus is clear in our Gospel! The Holy Spirit is the Advocate. As soon as Satan leaps into action, prosecuting our sin, the Holy Spirit does as well, defending us. And who can prevail against the Holy Spirit? No sin is a match for the mercy of God. Be assured, the Advocate will always win.