But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
John 16:13
The Spirit of Truth
Devotion based on John 16:13
See series: Devotions
Try teaching a preschool student some high school geometry. Unless you’re working with a very rare math prodigy, it’s not going to go very well. It’s hard enough to teach a three-year-old the names of the shapes, let alone how to find the angles of an isosceles triangle. You start with the basics.
When Jesus spoke these words to his disciples, it was the night before his crucifixion. Jesus had been training his disciples for three years. They had learned a lot about the kingdom of God and the mission of Jesus. Yet there was still so much that they did not know.
Instead of trying to cram all his teachings into their brains in one night like a procrastinating college student the night before an exam, Jesus promised them the gift of the Holy Spirit who would teach them truths they had yet to learn.
The disciples received that gift on the Day of Pentecost after Jesus went into heaven. The Holy Spirit opened their hearts and minds to God’s Word so that they could share that Word with others.
Jesus still sends the Holy Spirit. The Spirit works through God’s Word. When people join a church, they often take a Bible information class. They learn the basics of Christianity from the Bible before progressing in their knowledge of the truth. Growing in that truth takes time.
So, take the time. Take the time to read and study the Bible. You have Jesus’ promise that, when you do, he will send the Holy Spirit to help you grow in your knowledge of the truth.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for sending your Holy Spirit to reveal the truth. Help me to want to always keep learning more about you. Amen.