THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH

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John 16:13 “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”

The Holy Spirit plays a central role in the life of a believer, as it is through the Holy Spirit that we are guided into all truth. John 16:13 tells us that the Spirit of Truth “will guide you into all truth,” not into deception or false glory. This is an important distinction because many today may be drawn to superficial displays of spirituality, seeking temporary excitement rather than the deep truths of God. However, the true work of the Holy Spirit is to consistently lead us into a fuller understanding of God’s Word, revealing more of His truth as we grow in our relationship with Him.

If you are currently feasting on the truth of God’s Word, then you can be assured that the Holy Spirit is actively working within you. But this leads us to a question: Is your church receiving a continuous supply of truth, or has it become stagnant? The Holy Spirit doesn’t leave us in one place; He constantly leads us deeper into understanding, as we move from one level of revelation to the next.

Isaiah 11:1-2 “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.”

Isaiah 11:1-2 describes the seven characteristics of the Spirit of God, which are often referred to as the seven Spirits of God or the Tree of Life. These characteristics reflect the fullness of God’s nature as manifested through His Spirit. Let’s look at each one:

1. The Spirit of the LORD – This is the Spirit of God Himself, the essence of God’s presence in the believer’s life. Without this, there is no connection to divine truth or power.

2. The Spirit of Wisdom – In Colossians 2:2-3, Paul tells us that all wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ. The Spirit of Wisdom allows us to access this wisdom and understand God’s will. It is the divine insight that helps us make decisions in accordance with His plan.

3. The Spirit of Understanding – This refers to spiritual discernment. As seen in Mark 2:8 and John 2:24, Jesus knew the hearts of people, discerning their thoughts and intentions. The Spirit of Understanding gives us the ability to discern the spiritual realities that lie beneath the surface.

4. The Spirit of Counsel – When wisdom and understanding are combined, the believer becomes a perfect counselor. You can offer spiritual advice and answer deep spiritual questions. A believer with this Spirit becomes a guide for others who are seeking truth.

5. The Spirit of Power – This is spiritual power. It is not merely the power to perform miracles—such as healing the sick and raising the dead—but it is the power to always align yourself with the will of God. Power to obey, to overcome sin, and to walk in righteousness.

6. The Spirit of Knowledge – This is the knowledge of God Himself. As Paul expressed in Philippians 3:8,10, the greatest treasure is knowing Christ. The Spirit reveals the deep things of God to us, as shown in 1 Corinthians 2:10-16. Without this, our knowledge would be shallow, but with the Spirit, we come to understand the very heart of God.

7. The Spirit of the Fear of the LORD – This is the reverence and awe of God, placing Him in His rightful position as the supreme authority in our lives. It’s the recognition that God is first in all things and that we are to live in submission to His will. Proverbs tells us that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10).

These seven characteristics form the full expression of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. When we allow the Spirit to fully operate within us, we begin to reflect more of Christ, walking in wisdom, power, knowledge, and a reverent fear of God.

As we consider the nature of Christ, it is important to reflect on what He did not do during His time on earth. These seven points highlight His divine nature and perfect character, showing us the model we are to aspire to, even though we are human and fallible.

1. He never changed His mind – the Lord Jesus was steadfast in His mission and His purpose. He knew why He had come, and He never wavered from the will of the Father. As we follow Christ, we too should strive for unwavering commitment to God’s purpose in our lives.

2. He never made a mistake – the Lord Jesus, being perfect, did not err in judgment, words, or actions. While we are prone to mistakes, this reminds us to lean on the Holy Spirit for guidance, seeking to reflect Christ’s perfect wisdom in our decisions.

3. He never performed a selfish miracle – Every miracle the Lord Jesus performed was to glorify the Father and to show compassion for others. He never used His divine power for personal gain, but always for the benefit of others. This challenges us to check our motives, ensuring that our service is rooted in love for God and others, not self-interest.

4. He never confessed a sin – the Lord Jesus lived a sinless life. He had no need to confess sin, unlike us, who must come to God regularly in repentance. His sinlessness is what made Him the perfect sacrifice for us on the cross.

5. He never apologized for anything – the Lord Jesus never needed to apologize because He never did anything wrong. This highlights His perfection and the fact that everything He said and did was in perfect harmony with God’s will.

6. He never was in a hurry – Even when others around Him were anxious or pressed for time, the Lord Jesus always moved in God’s timing. He was never rushed because He operated according to divine purpose, not human urgency. This teaches us the value of patience and trusting God’s timing rather than being driven by the pressures of life.

7. He never denied a request of faith – Whenever someone came to the Lord Jesus in genuine faith, He never turned them away. Whether it was a plea for healing, deliverance, or forgiveness, Jesus honored their faith. This is a reminder of God’s faithfulness to respond to us when we approach Him in faith.

The Holy Spirit is continually at work, guiding us into all truth and shaping us to be more like Christ. Just as Christ perfectly embodied the seven characteristics of the Spirit of God, we too are being transformed day by day into His image through the work of the Spirit.

Is your church receiving a continuous flow of truth, or has it become stagnant? If the Spirit of God is truly present, there will be an ongoing revelation of truth, as the Spirit leads us deeper into the knowledge of God. As we align ourselves with the Spirit’s work, we experience a fullness of life that reflects the wisdom, power, and knowledge of Christ.

As we strive to follow Christ, let us remember the things He did not do, and aim to live in the same steadfast, sinless, and selfless manner, trusting the Spirit to equip us for every good work. Philippians 1:6 reassures us that “He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”