The WaySample

Responding to the Way

The Holy Spirit

In John 14, Jesus introduces a new advocate or helper for the disciples once He is gone: the Holy Spirit. Who is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is a part of the three-in-one God that Christians worship. He is the very presence of God in us who “leads us into all truth.”

Two functions of the Holy Spirit in our lives are to (1) convince us of truth and (2) convict us of sin. The Holy Spirit helps guide our understanding as we engage in God’s Word (the Bible).

It’s one thing to understand the words you are reading as far as definitions and meanings. It’s another thing to learn how to rightly draw hope or even correction from the words you are reading. The Holy Spirit helps us in that process.

We also feel conviction from the Holy Spirit when we are sinning. Conviction can feel like and be confused with a guilty conscience, something most people feel, not just Christians. But the Holy Spirit’s conviction is different in that it is not guilt over violating our own moral standards but a prompting to repent when we are violating God’s holy standard.

Conviction should lead to repentance and restoration, not guilt and shame. Acting like a new guidance system in our lives, the Holy Spirit convinces us of God’s truth, convicts us of sin, and empowers real change in our lives. The Holy Spirit-led life is described in Galatians 5:16-26. A struggle between two guidance systems, the sinful nature versus the Spirit, is explained and explored. Ultimately, if we follow the Spirit’s leading, we look more like Jesus. If we don’t, we look more like this broken world.

What guidance system are you following? Are you trying to follow Jesus but still follow your sinful nature (desires that are self-serving)? God’s Word and His Spirit can show us where this is happening in our lives. Ask for the Spirit’s help today to follow Him more closely.

Prayer

“Jesus, help me to see the need for the Holy Spirit in my life. Help me accept this gift that I would walk in step with the Spirit.”