The Spirit of Truth

UV 1386/10,000 The Spirit of Truth
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

John 14 v 17

Jesus did not leave His followers feeling orphaned or destitute. He went to the Father after His resurrection and sent the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit to dwell with those who believed and followed Him. The Spirit is described in this uni-verse as the Spirit of truth as He teaches us all truths from His Word. He is the stamp of authentication and empowerment of the believer. He is the interpreter and teacher. He is also described as the Comforter and the “Remembrencer.” He is gentle and wise. He dwells in us and thereby, our bodies become the temple of the Lord. He sanctifies us. He prepares us as a habitation for the Lord. He shows us things that are yet to happen.

The uni-verse says that the world cannot receive the Holy Spirit as it is filled with the spirit of error. The world cannot receive the things of the spirit as these are foolishness to the world and they cannot be discerned except spiritually. The spirit of error blinds people to the truth. It deceives them. The Spirit is the One who enabled Jesus to rise from the dead. He is the One who quickens our understanding. He is the giver of spiritual gifts like teaching, healing, prophecy and so on. Jesus told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem till they received power from the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit empowers people and releases the fruit of godly character in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self control.

The Holy Spirit is God Immanuel or God present in us always. He guides us with His whispers and promptings. He nudges us in the right direction. He makes the presence of God real and powerful in our lives. He speaks not of Himself but of the Father. What He hears from the Father that He tells us. He is a communication link with the Father and Christ that we have here on earth We are a building project in His hands. He builds us day by day, thought by thought, decision by decision and experience by experience. He dwells in us and we dwell in Him. He is a sensitive Spirit and by our words or choices we can grieve Him. The Holy Spirit enables us to have continual union and fellowship with God.

Prateep V Philip