Spirit of Truth

Jesus:  ⁵ “But now I am going away to the One who sent Me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. ⁶ Instead, you grieve (sorrow) because of what I have told you. ⁷ But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I do not, the Advocate (Holy Spirit) will not come. If I do go away, then I will send Him to you. ⁸ And when He (Holy Spirit) comes, He will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. ⁹ The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in Me. ¹⁰ Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see Me no more. ¹¹ Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged. ¹² There is so much more I want to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. ¹³ 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. ¹⁴ He will bring Me glory by telling you whatever He receives from Me. ¹⁵ All that belongs to the Father is Mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever He receives from Me.’” John 16:5-15 (NLT)

There is an old saying, “let truth be your guide.” God is truth, and He can never lie (e.g., see Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18). In fact, truth links all three Persons of the Holy Trinity (Godhead). First, God the Father is truth (see Psalm 31:5; Isaiah 65:16; John 4:24). Moreover, God the Son Jesus is truth (see John 1:14; John 14:6). Finally, God the Spirit is truth (see John 14:17; John 15:26; John 16:13). In essence and action, truth characterizes God. All faithful followers of God should live by truth in essence and action and not deception and falsehood (e.g., see Exodus 20:16; Leviticus 19:11; Ephesians 4:25; Colossians 3:9-10). If believers follow God, the living God will lead and guide His people into all truth and goodness (see John 16:13). Truth leads to godly lives (see Titus 1:1). However, the unholy trinity (Satan the dragon, the beast (antichrist), and the false prophet) are liars and deception, falsehood, and lies characterize their lives (e.g., see Genesis 3:1, 4; John 8:44).

Just before Jesus’ Passion (sacrificial and atoning suffering, crucifixion, and death), Jesus taught and prayed for His disciples in the Upper Room (see John 13:1-17:26). Also in the Upper Room, Jesus informed His disciples that He was returning to His Father, the living God (John 16:5, 10, 17, 28; see also John 7:33-34). God had graciously sent His Son Jesus into the world to save the world (e.g., see Matthew 1:21; Luke 2:10-11; John 1:14; John 3:16-17). For three years, Jesus had been with His disciple; but now He was about to leave them (see John 13:33).

Jesus informed His disciples not to be sorrowful and sadden because of His departure (John 16:6-7). He promised He would not leave His disciples as orphans (see John 14:16-18). In fact, Jesus told His listening disciples that it was profitable and advantageous for Him to return to God because He and His Father would send the Holy Spirit (John 16:7; see also John 14:16, 26; John 15:26; Acts 2:33). In His last moments with His disciples, Jesus assured His disciples that He and His Father would send the Holy Spirit to be in close union and fellowship with them (see John 14:16, 26; John 15:26; John 16:7). The Holy Spirit became available to Jesus’ faithful followers after His sacrificial and saving death, resurrection, and exaltation (see also John 7:38-39; John 20:22). Both God the Father and God the Son sent the Holy Spirit into the world in new covenant fullness and power at Pentecost (see Acts 2:1-33). Jesus’ sacrificial death, resurrection, and exaltation inaugurated His spiritual union with His disciples. In essence, Jesus’ disciples would never be alone. Also upon returning to His Father, Jesus would intercede and advocated for His disciples at the heavenly throne of grace (see Romans 8:34). As the book of Acts shows, only after Jesus’ departure that His faithful disciples fully understand Jesus’ death and resurrection and began to proclaim Jesus joyfully to the world.

Jesus repeated used the Greek word “Paraclete” to describe the Holy Spirit as another Advocate, Comforter, Helper, Encourager, and Counselor. The Holy Spirit would come alongside Jesus’ disciples to encourage, teach, guide, defend, comfort, help, protect, empower, and strengthen His faithful disciples once He returned to His Father, the living God (John 14:16-17, 26; John 15:26; John 16:7, 13). The Holy Spirit maintains God and Jesus’ presence in the world, and the Holy Spirit duplicates and sustains Jesus’ work. In effect, the Holy Spirit would be Jesus’ very presence indwelling in close union with Jesus’ disciples to comfort, counsel and teach them (e.g., see John 14:16-17, 26; Romans 5:5; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19). The Holy Spirit was a good gift awaiting Jesus’ departure and glorification (see John 7:37-39; John 14:16, 26; John 15:26; John 16:12-14). The Holy Spirit now continues the work of Jesus and Jesus’ presence in the life of Jesus’ faithful followers (disciples or believers) by advising, defending, and protecting believers (see John 14:16-24). The living God freely gives His good gifts – the Holy Spirit – to everyone who asks (see Luke 11:13; John 4:10; Acts 2:38).

Next, Jesus promised that when the Holy Spirit comes, the Spirit will bring many benefits. First, the Holy Spirit would expose and prove to the people of the world the truth about sin and the need for repentance (John 16:8; see also Acts 2:38). One of the Holy Spirit’s primary roles is to convict and convince the world concerning sin (see John 16:8). The Holy Spirit reveals to the people of the world the truth about sin, about being right with God, and about judgment (John 16:8). The world’s greatest sin is refusing to believe and accept Jesus as the Christ (Messiah) and the Son of the living God (John 16:9; see also Matthew 12:31; Mark 3:29; John 20:31). Second, the Holy Spirit would teach the standards and availability of God’s goodness and righteousness (John 16:8). Upon Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection, God’s righteousness, peace, and grace are available to everyone through faith in His Son, Jesus (e.g., see John 14:27; Romans 1:16-17; Romans 3:22, 26; Romans 5:1). Third, the Holy Spirit will warn everyone of God’s judgment (John 16:8). God’s judgment of sinners has already begun because God has already judged and defeated the ruler of this world, Satan (John 16:11; see also John 12:31). At Calvary’ Cross, the living God and Jesus defeated and triumphed over Satan, serving notice on unbelievers of their coming judgment.

Moreover, Jesus told His disciples that when the Holy Spirit arrives, the Holy Spirit will guide His disciples into all truth (John 16:13). The Holy Spirit empowers and teaches Jesus’ disciples with all truth directly from God the Father and His Son, Jesus (John 16:13-15). It is essential that believers know that the Spirit of God is never separated from the living God, His Son Jesus, or the Holy Word (see also John 15:26). The Holy Spirit will never lead people to do things different and contrary to the living God, the example of Jesus or Word of God! The Spirit of God does not ignore either God the Father or God the Son. The Father, Son, and the Spirit work harmoniously and in unity. The Holy Spirit is truth giving, and He guides into all Truth. In fact, the Holy Spirit gives the movements of believers, and He comes alongside believers to guide and direct their daily lives (e.g., see Mark 13:11; Luke 12:12; Acts 8:39; Acts 10:19-20). It is the presence and power of the Holy Spirit of God indwelling, empowering, and guiding believers’ lives to discern right from wrong.

Finally, the Holy Spirit would bring continual honor, praise, and glory to Jesus (John 16:14-15). The Spirit of God reveals Jesus and in this way glorifies Him (see John 16:14-15). In fact, the Holy Spirit draws no attention to Himself but promotes the glory of Jesus. As God’s only begotten Son, God the Father has given Jesus all His glory (John 16:15).

The helping Presence of the Father, Son, and Spirit works in perfect unity and oneness (e.g., John 10:30; John 16:15; John 17:11, 21-22). Though we cannot see God, our all-powerful God is ALWAYS present and will help us through our darkest night and pain (e.g., see John 14:15-24). God walks and is present with His people through all of life. In moments of doubt and despair, God will never leave you, and He is always in control. NEVER STOP TRUSTING AND BELIEVING IN THE LIVING GOD!

References

NLT Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2008).

ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008).

The Living Bible Paraphrase (Tyndale House, 1971).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary –New Testament (Victor Books, 1989).