Today’s Reading: John 16:5-33; Psalm 52
“But now I am going away to the one who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you. But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.” – John 16:5-7
Jesus keeps mentioning this Advocate that will soon be sent to the disciples. Jesus will be leaving them soon, but he wants his followers to know that they will not be alone. Over and over again, he explains to them the role the Spirit will play in their lives. Let’s take time this morning to recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit and the role this Advocate plays in our lives.
THE SPIRIT LEADS US INTO ALL TRUTH.
“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives WITH you now and later will be IN you.” – John 14:16-17
The most common weapon the enemy uses against us is lies. In fact, Jesus referred to him as the Father of Lies (John 8:44) because he loves to confuse us through deception and false thoughts. He spreads misinformation about Jesus and about Christians, discrediting our faith and twisting our intentions. If he can get this world to believe that faith in God brings bondage instead of freedom, he can deceive us into remaining slaves to sin.
The lies of the enemy have made their way into our schools, the church, our homes, and our thought life. So many people today find themselves questioning the truths of scripture, and the father of lies celebrates the resulting confusion and conflict. We need to pray for the Spirit of Truth to guide our thoughts and strengthen our faith according to the heart of the Father so that we will not wander away from the one and only Truth.
“But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me.” – John 15:26
THE SPIRIT IS OUR GUIDE, TEACHING US AND REMINDING US OF THE WORDS OF JESUS.
“When the Father sends the Advocate as my representative – that is, the Holy Spirit – he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.” – John 14:26
The Spirit is that still small voice we hear — the voice that reminds us of the words of Jesus, or who speaks peace over our fear and anxiety. When we have a decision to make or when we search for understanding of something we have read in the bible, the Spirit is available to guide our thoughts and teach us what we need to know.
JESUS COMMUNICATES WITH US THROUGH THE SPIRIT, MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO REMAIN IN FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM.
But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ. – 1 John 2:27
And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us. Those who obey God’s commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us. – 1 John 3:23-24
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’” – John 16:13-15
THE SPIRIT CONVICTS US OF OUR SIN, REMINDING US THAT RIGHTEOUSNESS IS AVAILABLE FOR US.
“And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.” – John 16:8-11
I am so thankful for the work of the Holy Spirit in my life. It is the voice of the Holy Spirit that convicts me of my sin and guides me into truth. It is through this Spirit of truth that I hear from Jesus. It is the work of the Spirit that changes me and strengthens me, producing fruit in my life – the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
Did you catch that first fruit? He produces love in me! Isn’t that great?!! The love the Spirit produces in me is what makes it possible for me to do as Jesus commands – to love each other. The Spirit produces the love of Christ in me and, when I do what He has asked me to do, I remain in that love! As the Spirit produces love in me, I remain in the love of Jesus and He remains in the love of the Father.
Lord, thank you so much for the gift of the Holy Spirit — the Advocate who is daily guiding me and teaching me. Thank you for the blessing of the fruit I experience from the indwelling of the Spirit within me. This love I now have access to is daily empowering me to love others as you love them. And thank you for the role the Spirit plays in helping me resist temptation and frees me from the bondage of my sinful nature. Because of your Spirit, I do not have to sin. Praise God for this wonderful gift! Amen.