Be Grateful for the ‘Spirit of Truth’

TRUTH TALK Insight: John 16:13

 The Spirit of Truth Came for Our Benefit

The Apostle John quoted Jesus in John 16:13,

“But when he, the Spirit of Truth, comes,

he will guide you into all the truth.” (John 16:13)

One night when I could not sleep, I researched some questions I had about the Holy Spirit. Research in the wee hours is something I often do to get my mind off the pressures of the day so I can get sleepy. Meanwhile, it blesses me tremendously.

I read the first half of John 16, and a phrase that Jesus used hit me like never before. In this passage, Jesus didn’t call the Spirit of God “the Holy Spirit.” The Spirit certainly IS holy, but that was not the point Jesus made that day to His disciples.

Jesus wanted them to know that soon He would return to the Father. (This would come after His death, a reality the disciples were only beginning to consider.) Noting their grief, Jesus said His departure was for their good (verse 7).

How could Jesus’ departure be for their benefit?

Jesus told the disciples He would send them an Advocate, the “Spirit of Truth” (verses 7, 13).  But if Jesus did not leave, the Spirit of Truth could not come to them.

In a world that increasingly embraces spirits of error, confusion, and lies, the believer must continually pray for God’s wisdom and strength, looking to the Spirit of Truth and Word of Truth (Psalm 119:160; John 17:17) for guidance. 

The assault comes from many directions. 

Satan constantly attacks God’s truth; false teachers twist it; unbelievers deny the truth and try to suppress it; and more and more, some who claim to be Christians demonstrate that they are without the truth (Scriptures: John 8:44-45; Acts 20:29-31; Romans 1:18-19; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; 1 John 1:8; 2:4).

My friend, Gail Burton Purath, wrote “Why Truth Is So Important to Christians” with more than 20 Scriptures about truth—how it is under attack, why it is essential to the believer’s faith, and the vital importance of highly valuing God’s truth. It is well worth some time meditating on those Scriptures.

So much of my ministry has been geared to teaching the truth of God’s Word with clarity, conviction, and compassion. And in these chaotic times, when truth is being assaulted on all sides, I also need to be courageous for truth! I believe this is true for all believers.

We must speak biblical truth clearly with great conviction, compassion, and courage. 

The Savior knew that His followers—not only the twelve, but all who would place their trust in Him in the future—would desperately need the ministry of the indwelling Spirit.

Reasons for Gratitude

How often have you stopped to praise God not just for the gifts from the Holy Spirit, but for the gift of the Holy Spirit Himself? Jesus listed at least four ways the Holy Spirit—the Spirit of Truth—works in the world and on Christians’ behalf.

1. He will prove the world to be wrong about sin, righteousness, and judgment (vv. 8-11).

The Spirit of Truth is not an influence. He is a person who is intimately involved in the Godhead. Part of His mission is to expose the errors of the godless world’s view of sin, righteousness, and judgement.

What this means is that (1) He will show (convict and convince) the world that their refusal to believe in Jesus is their basic sin; that (2) true righteousness only comes from above—not as a result of anything mankind can generate from within; and that (3) judgment will take place as the ruler of our godless world, Satan, will be brought to trial and convicted.

Be grateful that the Spirit of Truth is working so mightily to complete His mission—however long it takes!

2. He will guide true believers into all the truth (v. 13).

Jesus said the Spirit would lead us into the full and complete truth—not “your truth” or “my truth” but biblical truth—the truth according to the Word of God.

Be grateful that the Spirit takes the things of God and reveals them to our hearts.

3. He will only speak the truth that He hears from the Father (vv. 13-14).

The Spirit of Truth would not speak on His own initiative, but rather would speak whatever He hears from the Father—the Father’s message regarding the Son.

Christians need to be careful in saying the Spirit has told them this or that. The Spirit will not speak in contradiction to the Father’s will or apart from the message of the gospel in Christ.

Be grateful that the Spirit understands what He hears from the Father and is careful to speak that truth.

4. He will glorify Jesus (v. 14).

Jesus is “the truth” (John 14:6), and it makes sense that the Spirit of Truth would glorify and honor the Son of God.

The Spirit of Truth takes from what is the Lord’s and discloses it to God’s people so they can also glorify and honor the Savior.

Be grateful that the Spirit constantly points us to Jesus!

When truth is assaulted on all sides, be sure you’re getting your marching orders from the Spirit of Truth.

What point about the Spirit of Truth makes you grateful today—makes you smile? Take a moment in prayer to the Father to express your thanks for Him.