Conviction and Truth

May 26

I Samuel 26-28

Psalm 66:1-9

Proverbs 14:20-21

John 16

Conviction and Truth

“And He, when He comes will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment;  concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged…but when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak from Himself, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.” 

John 16:8-11, 13 LSB

A couple of days ago we discussed the importance of the Holy Spirit coming to live with and in us permanently and the difference that makes in the life of the believer.  Today we are going to look at His role in our lives and the practical ways in which His presence helps us.   The Holy Spirit is at work in the life of an individual before they believe.  He is the one who helps us recognize our sinful condition and need for a Savior.  He illuminates the righteousness of Christ and the judgment that awaits those who do not believe and accept Him into their hearts.  At the moment they choose to follow Jesus, the Holy Spirit indwells them and seals them until the day of redemption.  Ephesians 1:13-14 explains, “In Him, you also, after listening to the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, unto the redemption of God’s own possession.” LSB  He guarantees the salvation of those He seals.  He then begins the process of sanctification.  This passage explains that He guides us into all truth.  He is the Spirit of Truth and He helps us understand God’s Word so that we can apply it to our lives.  Despite what modern culture would have us believe, there is objective truth.  The God of the Universe who created and sustains everything has defined what is true, right and just.  It is not up for debate.  The Holy Spirit guides us so that we can know and apply that truth using it to convict us of sin and revealing areas of our lives where we are not pleasing God.  He empowers and strengthens us to overcome temptation and to choose to follow Jesus instead of succumbing to our fleshly desires.  We cannot expect to be victorious over Satan in our own strength and will.  Satan is smarter than we are and he is quite capable of deceiving us, but the Holy Spirit is at work revealing his lies and helping us to persevere against his schemes.  As He leads and guides us the desires of our sinful nature become less evident and the fruits of the Spirit are more apparent.  (Galatians 5:19-26) 

The Holy Spirit is with us at all times comforting and encouraging us, bringing peace to our souls and healing to our minds.  He is our constant companion who is with us in the darkest valleys and the greatest joys. Romans 8:26-27 tells us, “And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we should but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”  LSB  He helps us when we don’t know what to do or where to turn.  Lean into His power and work in your life.