The Spirit of Truth

Presented here is an edited lesson of our Bible Study at Open Door Church on Sunday.

Our Bible Study on Sunday was full of lively discussion and comments as we studied more on John the Baptist.  John’s message was one of repentance, and comments were given by several students.  It is not enough to feel sorry but a change must occur.  Peter wept bitterly when he realized he had just denied Jesus. 

The prophet Ezekiel said, God will remove the stony heart and give you a new heart that is after God and his will.  The Holy Spirit will convict and reveal truth thus bringing us to repentance.  

Jesus spoke about the Holy Spirit in John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me:

Jesus continued in John 16:13-14 when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.  He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.

The Holy Spirit is also our intercessor when we don’t know how to pray, He will pray through us because He knows the mind and will of Christ.

When the People of Israel needed a deliverer, the Holy Spirit came upon Othniel to judge Israel and bring about a victory.

Many times we don’t know which direction to take, but discernment is ours if we will listen to the Holy Spirit.  He is an inward witness and guide to reveal truth to us.

We are a three part being, Our Spirit is the portion of us that becomes born again and we touch God with our Spirit.  We live in a body, and our soul is our Mind, Will and Emotions.  Our stubborn will, our emotions and our thinking give us a lot of trouble at times.  Our soul needs to be renewed by the washing of the water of the Word.  God’s word will assist us to change our thinking to be aligned with the heart of God.  It is important to read and study the Bible and to allow our mind to assimilate and consider how this applies to our spirit.

Matthew 12:31-33 contains verses about the unforgivable sin against the Holy Spirit.  Just prior to these verses, Jesus had been ministering and performing miracles.  The Scribes and Pharisees accused Jesus of doing the works of miracles by the power of Satan. 

Jesus hit these religious leaders hard by declaring they were on dangerous ground to make such statements about what the Holy Spirit was accomplishing.  They were in essence blaspheming against the Holy Ghost with their accusations.

There are some who struggle over this verse and wonder if they have committed this unpardonable sin.  Satan would like nothing more than to keep people laboring under that misconception.   If they are still alive – they have NOT committed this sin.

We know God can and will forgive any sin and He is merciful and ready to forgive, so what sin would not be forgiven???

As we ponder and consider this question, and find a sinner on their death bed - - one who refuses to accept Jesus as their savior - - and they die; what happens to them?

Notice they refused forgiveness, so they are not forgiven and now it is too late for them.  Death is the dividing factor - - it is important to receive Jesus and have your sins under the blood while in this life.  

None of us have a promise of tomorrow, so prepare now to be ready.