The role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers has many and varied aspects. Throughout Scripture, the nature and works of the Holy Spirit are clearly revealed and exalted. His works in life and the growth process are important to consider. Because of the inextricable link between life and soul care, the works of the Holy Spirit are virtually the same in both. R. A. Torrey, famed 19th century American pastor, theologian, and contemporary of D. L. Moody, proposed a series of works or roles of the Holy Spirit. Again, these categories are true in both the lives of believers and the counseling process.
The Holy Spirit abides with and indwells in believers. As Jesus instructed His disciples, He promised to ask the Father to send them another Helper (the Holy Spirit). Jesus referred to Him as the Spirit of truth and explained that the world was not able to receive the Holy Spirit because the world had rejected Jesus and the Spirit. However, Jesus promised that by virtue of their relationship with Himself that the Holy Spirit would abide with them and be in them.1
The Holy Spirit imparts hope to believers. God, who is a God of hope, fills believers with joy and peace by means of their belief. Their believing is initiated and sustained by the power of the Holy Spirit. As a result, the hope of believers abounds.2 In addition, the Spirit works in believers, by faith, to bring about their anticipation of the finished hope of Christ to appear with His coming.3
The Holy Spirit imparts the love of God. When God gives a believer His Holy Spirit, He subsequently pours out His divine love within the believer’s heart. Every believer, indwelt by the Spirit, has a sufficient measure of God’s love already operating with Him. No believer needs to ask God to give him a love for anything or anyone. The love of God is already in him, divinely granted (or imparted) through the Holy Spirit.4
The Holy Spirit testifies about Christ. Jesus further explained to His disciples that when the Father sent the Spirit of truth, He would testify about Christ. Therefore, the Holy Spirit has a key role in regeneration and continued evangelism. In the counseling process, there is no lasting help or change for the counselee apart from Christ. Illumination by the Holy Spirit is essential for any sinner to change and continue in victory. Likewise, the leading, direction, and example of the Holy Spirit is necessary for believers to succeed in evangelism.5
The Holy Spirit edifies the church. As He regenerates sinners, bringing them into the Church, the Holy Spirit continues a ministry of edification to them. The biblical idea of edification is consistent with the imagery of constructing a building.6 To be edified is to be built up into a spiritual building. In the early church record of Acts, we read that in all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, was built up, expanded, and comforted by the Holy Spirit.7 Likewise, in counseling, the Holy Spirit is the central agent and source of spiritual growth, comfort, and change.
The Holy Spirit teaches saints. In addition to imparting hope, love, edification, indwelling power, and joy the Holy Spirit provides instruction from the Father, by Christ, and through the Scriptures. In fact, Jesus explained to His followers that the Holy Spirit, whom the Father would send in the name of Christ, would teach them all things and continually bring to their remembrance what He had said to them.8 In essence, the Holy Spirit is an ever-present Counselor unto believers.
With these qualities and works in mind, we would do well to anticipate and pursue these profound blessings of God’s powerful and gracious Spirit , in both our own lives and in the lives of our brethren. 
