The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” – Genesis 2:18
The only aspect of creation that wasn’t declared good by God was the solitary existence of Adam. He was perfectly and painfully alone. To provide companionship, God created Eve.
Before leaving his disciples, Jesus assured them they would not be left alone and promised to send a spiritual companion called the Holy Spirit:
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. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. (John 14:15-18)
On the day of Pentecost, Peter’s Spirit — empowered sermon resulted in a tremendous flood of three thousand new converts! The Spirit immediately drew them into companionship:
All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day, they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:44-47)
Paul later describes the gathered followers of Jesus as one body — a beautiful illustration of companionship:
“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others” (Romans 12:4-5).
Jesus was so passionate about the companionship of his followers that he promised to be with them whenever they gathered:
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20).
Jesus declared that our eternal existence in heaven is based on companionship:
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:3).
The point being made is this: God never intended for us to be alone, not now and not ever. Companionship with the Spirit and fellow believers is vital for every follower of Jesus Christ. Satan’s go-to strategy for defeating believers is to isolate them just as a prowling lion isolates its chosen prey from the herd. Believers become dangerously vulnerable when they pull away from the companionship of the Spirit and the Body:
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit of God lives in us, and if we yield our lives fully to his control, his presence fills us to overflowing. He is our ever-present spiritual companion.
The Spirit sweetens us with the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). He gives us gifts, empowering us to complete the purposes God has prepared for us. See 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, Romans 12:3-8, and Ephesians 4:11-13.
He is our counselor and comforter, helping us with our weaknesses and even interceding for us when our injuries are so painful that we can’t even form the words to pray. See Romans 8:26-27.
This spiritual companionship is available to every believer, but only as we submit to the Spirit’s control:
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:16 and 25)
When we walk by the Spirit, we enjoy the rich blessings of his indwelling companionship.
The Body of Christ
The Body of Christ offers a unique form of companionship known as koinonia, a Greek term that conveys full and intimate participation in life together. This deep fellowship allows believers to build each other up. The Body of Christ, also known as the Church, is our physical companion. It supplies the arms that hold us and the hands that help us as we travel as aliens and strangers in a foreign land — and we do the same for them.
Like all bodies, the Church has a head that directs it. Paul wrote of Jesus:
And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. (Ephesians 1:22-23)
Paul urges us to faithfully guard the companionship of the Spirit and Body from attitudes and behavior that could damage it:
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:29-32)
Any believer who suggests they don’t need the companionship of the Spirit and the Body is deceived and at risk. God doesn’t want you to be alone. Isolation is dangerous. Prioritize these relationships into your life and powerful grace will flow to you and through you.
