But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.

                                                                                                                 John 16:13 

Today: Read John 16

The Holy Spirit as Guide

In addition to the work of the Holy Spirit as Teacher and One that proclaims the name of Jesus Christ, the Spirit also acts as our Guide. It is vitally important that we remember that every born again believer has the Spirit of God within them and that His Spirit will always reveal the truth of scripture in our lives. It has been said that praying is talking to God and studying His Word is listening to Him. I believe that as we make scripture a priority in our lives, we can be assured that God will continue to reveal Himself to us through the power that is found in His Spirit speaking through His Word. Here are four powerful aspects of the Holy Spirit as our Guide.

1. The Spirit guides us into assurance of our salvation

For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.                                                                                   

                                                                                                               Romans 8:14-17 

The Holy Spirit testifies to our spirit that we do indeed belong to God. As children of God we are free from the spirit of fear, which is from the enemy. Rather, we are given a spirit of adoption allowing us to address Almighty God as “Abba! Father1” This is a term of endearment and can loosely be translated, “Dad.” As children of God we know that we are also heirs to the kingdom of God and fellow heirs with Christ. As we confess Jesus’ name before men, we can be assured that He will confess us before the Father (Matthew 10:32). 

2. The Spirit guides us in knowledge, thoughts, and words 

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.

                                                                                                       1 Corinthians 2:12-13 

The Holy Spirit provides us with spiritual insights and knowledge that cannot be obtained through intellectual study alone. This spiritual knowledge is not accessible to those who are without Christ but is freely bestowed on those who believe. This spiritual knowledge allows us to formulate and comprehend spiritual thoughts allowing us to speak spiritual words. Paul reminds us that this ability to think, comprehend, and speak is not taught by human wisdom. In other words, one doesn’t go to school to acquire this ability. It is a gift from God and it is given to every born again believer in Jesus. This is not to downplay the importance of education rather just a reminder that those considered as wise in human terms will often miss true spiritual knowledge as it comes from the power of the Spirit in our lives. 

3. The Spirit guides us in power and ability

I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.

                                                                                                         1 Corinthians 2:3-5 

Paul was quick to let the Christians of that day know that his ability to proclaim the gospel came not through his own strength or wisdom rather his speaking was in a demonstration of the power of the Spirit in his life. Those who have answered a call to preach, teach, or write will understand exactly what Paul is communicating to us. The most effective preaching, teaching, or writing comes as we yield to the power of the Spirit in us. Again, this is not to suggest that good preaching and teaching require no preparation (the Spirit can lead us in that process as well) rather it is a reminder that it is the power of the Spirit combined with that of the Word of God that brings potent, effective, and prolific results. This is a good reminder for all believers, not just those who are called to these specific ministries. When we feel small, weak, and unusable, God sees our potential and is willing to work in the life of any believer willing to trust Him and follow His leading. 

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know…what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.

                                                                                                            Ephesians 1:18-19 

4. The Spirit guides us in prayer

In that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full. 

                                                                                                                 John 16:23-24 

Finally, the Holy Spirit guides us in two specific ways in prayer. First, as believers, we can ask anything in the name of Jesus and we will receive. This same instruction is echoed in Mark 11:24 and Matthew 7:7-8. Jesus wants us to have ultimate joy in all of its fullness. When we pray “in the name of Jesus,” we are appealing to the name that is above all names. As the Spirit will always testify about Christ, God will honor prayer that is lifted up in “Jesus’ name.”

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words…  

                                                                                                                   Romans 8:26

Secondly, the Spirit actually intercedes for us. We do not always know how to pray. The beautiful thing about prayer is that it is a sharing of our hearts to God. Whether or not the words flow correctly and succinctly from our mouths, the Spirit knows our hearts and will speak on our behalf based solely on the reality that we belong to God. In other words, I can be assured that even if my own thoughts do not make sense, God always understands exactly where I am and knows perfectly what I need.

As believers, we have been a tremendous gift in the presence of God in our lives. This is not the case for a world that has rejected the very good news of Jesus but it is a powerful reality for all of those who believe. God is our heavenly Father, Jesus is our Savior, and the Holy Spirit is our Helper, Advocate, Comforter, and Guide. Let’s live in the fullness of knowing the saving power of Jesus! 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

                                                                                                                 Proverbs 3:5-6