Live By The Spirit: Devotions With John PiperSample

The Spirit Guides Us

Time after time the Scriptures help us make sense out of life’s puzzles: failing marriages, rebellious children, drug addiction, warring nations, the return of leaves in spring, the insatiable longings of our hearts, the fear of death, the coming into being of children, the universality of praise and blame, the prevalence of pride, and the admiration of self-denial.

The Bible confirms its divine origin again and again as it makes sense out of our experience in the real world and points the way to harmony. I hope, therefore, that one of the doctrines which we cherish enough to die for (and live for!) is that the Holy Spirit is the divine author of all Scripture.

O, that we had all day to talk about the wonderful implications of this doctrine! The eternal Holy Spirit, the Spirit of love and delight between the Father and the Son, is the author of Scripture.

• Therefore, it is true (Psalm 119:142) and altogether reliable (Hebrews 6:18).
• It is powerful, working its purpose in our hearts (1 Thessalonians 2:13) and not returning empty to the One who sent it (Isaiah 55:10–11).
• It is pure, like silver refined in a furnace seven times (Psalm 12:6).
• It is sanctifying (John 17:17).
• It gives life (Psalm 119:37, 50, 93, 107; John 6:63; Matthew 4:4).
• It makes wise (Psalm 19:7; 119:99–100).
• It gives joy (Psalm 19:8; 119:16, 92, 111, 143, 174) and promises great rewards (Psalm 19:11).
• It gives strength to the weak (Psalm 119:28) and comfort to the distraught (Psalm 119:76) and guidance to the perplexed (Psalm 119:105) and salvation to the lost (Psalm 119:155; 2 Timothy 3:15).

The wisdom of God in Scripture is inexhaustible. If this doctrine is true, then the implications are so profound and far-reaching that every part of our lives should be affected.