Truth seems like an illusive word these days. In fact, just today, a friend said, “I don’t believe anyone anymore.” I get where she’s coming from, because I know the sources.
Thankfully, in our passage today, Jesus reveals to his disciples, who were struggling to understand what he was trying to tell them, that help was on the way. Before we go further, let’s read these verses in John 16:
I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.
John 16:12-15 (NIV)
I am so grateful for these words of Jesus, because they help me to know that he understands our struggles too, and I think in this day of rising falsehoods and deception, he wants to remind us that there is one place for truth–in Him.
That’s why the Spirit’s here to help. When we’re confused by the noise of the world, the Spirit of truth guides us into all truth.
Do you know why we can trust the Spirit? Because he’s not speaking on his own. He’s speaking that which belongs to the Father and Christ. Working together in complete harmony no one person of the Trinity can speak in isolation. All their words, all their actions are a unified whole.
Now, flip Jesus’ words upside down, as you think about the world today.
Do you know how you know someone is not speaking the truth?
- He’s speaking for himself alone.
- He’s not in harmony with God’s Word or will.
- He brings glory to himself.
Should be a pretty easy guide for measuring the words of others, right? Easy to say, hard to do sometimes…because words are deceptive.
Back to the Spirit: Did you catch that last point? Not only is the Spirit speaking for Christ and the Father, not only is he in perfect harmony with them, as he speaks their words, but he’s bringing glory to Christ in the process.
How does the Spirit bring glory to Christ? By taking what Christ offers and making it known to his disciples.
That’s us too, by the way. Christ is glorified, when we allow the Spirit to fill our minds with the truth of who Christ is and what he says in his Word. He’s glorified, because we cannot help but be changed as a result. When we allow the truth to permeate our minds and being, we start living like “little Christs” in this world, reflecting his character in our own words and actions, thus drawing others to him.
Wow! Do you think the disciples understood all that in that moment? No, but they soon would, and when they did on the day of Pentecost, allowing the Spirit to fill them–boy, was Christ glorified! So much so, that over 3,000 people came to faith in one day.
Glory!
So, who’s truth are you listening to? Maybe it’s time to turn off the noise and tune into the Spirit, but get ready to be changed in the process to His glory.
Grace and Peace