Holy Spirit Counsels Me.
LAST WEEK IDEA: The Holy Spirit provides conviction.
The purpose of the Holy Spirit is not condemnation, but conviction of the need for the Savior.
In John 16:9, the Holy Spirit convicts this world of Sin.
In John 16:10, the Holy Spirit convicts this world of Righteousness.
In John 16:11, the Holy Spirit convicts this world of Judgment.
IDEA: The Holy Spirit counsels me.
John 16:12–14
1. The Holy Spirit ENCOURAGES you in the present.
Just before Jesus ascended into Heaven, He commissions the disciples to go into all the world and make disciples. He encourages them that they will not be alone.
Matthew 28:20 says, “Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
In v.12, There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now.
God in His sovereignty knows what we need, when we need it, and how much we can handle. We want to know all the details, but we must trust God. Jesus knew exactly what the disciples could bear. He knows exactly what we can bear. This is why we must trust that He is in control. We must trust that He will protect us and provide for us.
Romans 8:26–27 says, “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.”
We need not fret for God will reveal what He wants us to know through His spirit in His timing.
2. The Holy Spirit EMPOWERS you for that which He has called you.
Acts 1:8 says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere — in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
God created each person special with different personalities, gifts, passions, experiences, strengths, and weaknesses. He truly has empowered the Christ-follower to fulfill the mission of telling people about Jesus everywhere He sends us.
John 16:13a says, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.”
Wise beyond wise, the Spirit of truth will not lead us into foolishness.
Fully loving, the Spirit of truth will not be tempted by conflicts of interest or jealousy.
Always present, the Spirit of truth will be there for us in every dark night and every remote, hellish place. — Dick Donovan
The Spirit of truth will not lead us wrongly, but will show us the right pathway.
He is as a guide, he goes before, leads the way, removes obstructions, opens the understanding, makes things plain and clear, teaches to profit, and leads in the way men should go, without turning to the right hand or left, which, without such a guide, they would be apt to do. — John Gill
2 Peter 1:20–21 says, “Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, 21 or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.”
Every word of the Word penned by man was inspired by the Holy Spirit of God! All truth is authority for our lives. The Holy Spirit guides us into truth.
The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to make us like the Son of God. — Rick Warren
Read through Psalm 119 and you will find a strong focus on the Word. Follow the Daily Bible Reading below for a breakdown to help you focus on one section at a time.
I was driving the truck a few weeks ago when the Change Oil light came on. It quickly disappeared and I didn’t think about it until the next day when I was driving and it appeared again. This went on for two weeks and every time it came on I thought I should get the oil changed, but did not get the it changed. One day while driving the light came on and the thought crossed my mind that the Holy Spirit is sends counsel much like the truck is sending this message. I can either heed or ignore the counsel.
John 16:13b says, “He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard.”
Every word of Jesus & the Spirit is rooted in the truth of the Father.
3. The Holy Spirit EQUIPS you for the future.
v.13c — He will tell you about the future.
Later, when the disciples were able to handle it, the Spirit would reveal more & more.
Our capacity to understand spiritual truths is direct evidence of our spiritual maturity. As we grow in truth, we begin to see the world and life circumstances through spiritual lenses rather than before Christ through fleshly lenses.
2 Timothy 3:16–17 says, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”
Our circumstances change daily with new technologies and politics, but the Spirit of truth stands ready to help us to relate God’s truth to new situations. In every new circumstance, the same faithful Spirit guides us to re-learn old, faithful truths and to apply those old truths in new and faithful ways.
In John 16:14, the Holy Spirit comforts, convicts, & counsels me, so that my life might bring glory to God.
by Tim O'Carroll
Daily Bible Reading
Day 1: Psalm 119:1–8
Day 2: Psalm 119:9–16
Day 3: Psalm 119:17–24
Day 4: Psalm 119:25–32
Day 5: Psalm 119:33–40
Day 6: Psalm 119:41–48
Day 7: Psalm 119:49–56
