John 14:15-31
October Memory Verse: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5 (NIV)
John 14:15-31
What does the Holy Spirit look like in our lives today? Jesus gives this promise to both the disciples and us today - He will send the Spirit to those who love and obey him, and the Spirit will counsel them and lead them into all truth.
Counsel, and lead into truth - let’s dissect those so we can better understand what the Spirit does. The word “counsel” here can also mean comfort, encourage, or advocate. I like thinking of the Holy Spirit as our counselor because it implies there is a relationship. The Holy Spirit knows us deeply: our struggles, strengths, and doubts. And because the Spirit knows us - he is able to truly counsel us by convicting us of our sin and reminding us of our salvation/inheritance in Christ.
How has Spirit been your counselor in times of sorrow?
How has the Spirit been your counselor in times of Joy
The Holy Spirit leads us into truth in a number of ways, but simply put, He points us to Christ. Verse 26 says, “the Holy Spirit will teach you everything and remind you of everything I myself have told you.” The Spirit teaches us how to live lives that please God. He grows and matures us in our spiritual walk by continually pointing us to Christ. As the Holy Spirit points to Jesus, He aids us in understanding the message of Jesus. In other words, He points to the Word and then interprets the Word. The Spirit enables us to take the word of God and apply it to our hearts and lives. A teacher in seminary would say, “we become what we behold.” The Holy Spirit leads us into truth by having us behold Christ so that we will become more Christ-like.
Has the Spirit helped you interpret/understand a specific passage lately?
If we become what we behold, how can you make more time in your day to behold Christ?
By: Joe Weaver
John 14:15-31
What does the Holy Spirit look like in our lives today? Jesus gives this promise to both the disciples and us today - He will send the Spirit to those who love and obey him, and the Spirit will counsel them and lead them into all truth.
Counsel, and lead into truth - let’s dissect those so we can better understand what the Spirit does. The word “counsel” here can also mean comfort, encourage, or advocate. I like thinking of the Holy Spirit as our counselor because it implies there is a relationship. The Holy Spirit knows us deeply: our struggles, strengths, and doubts. And because the Spirit knows us - he is able to truly counsel us by convicting us of our sin and reminding us of our salvation/inheritance in Christ.
How has Spirit been your counselor in times of sorrow?
How has the Spirit been your counselor in times of Joy
The Holy Spirit leads us into truth in a number of ways, but simply put, He points us to Christ. Verse 26 says, “the Holy Spirit will teach you everything and remind you of everything I myself have told you.” The Spirit teaches us how to live lives that please God. He grows and matures us in our spiritual walk by continually pointing us to Christ. As the Holy Spirit points to Jesus, He aids us in understanding the message of Jesus. In other words, He points to the Word and then interprets the Word. The Spirit enables us to take the word of God and apply it to our hearts and lives. A teacher in seminary would say, “we become what we behold.” The Holy Spirit leads us into truth by having us behold Christ so that we will become more Christ-like.
Has the Spirit helped you interpret/understand a specific passage lately?
If we become what we behold, how can you make more time in your day to behold Christ?
By: Joe Weaver
2 Comments
"He points to the Word and then interprets the Word"
I love this description of The Holy Spirit. So many people & churches have fallen into bad theology by either not reading the word or reading it without Holy Spirit discernment. The consequences of this have had devastating impacts on our culture. It has led to gender confusion, redefining marriage, acceptance of abortion, prosperity gospel, and many other evil things. If people who claim the name of Christ get serious about reading & studying God's word with guidance from the Holy Spirit, we will see repentance and revival all over the world.
I'm glad Center Point Church has made reading God's word and discussing it together a priority. I often think about Tim Parsons' saying, "Things just go better when you do them God's way". The only way to achieve this is by allowing The Holy Spirit to guide us to a proper understanding of the Word. Thanks for the commentary Joe.
As humans it is so easy to read the Bible through the lens of the flesh and take away from it only what we want to hear. It's so crucial that reading the Word be Spirit led. He is faithful to reveal everything we need just when we need and are prepared to handle it.