Are You Listening?

Text: John 16:4-15

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come (John 16:13).

Jesus tells His eleven disciples that the coming Holy Spirit would empower them and give them the ability to know things that were yet to come (such as the prophecies in Revelation). As eyewitnesses of Jesus (2 Peter 1:16), the Spirit would supernaturally enable that their writings were true, guaranteeing that they wrote Scripture, the very words of God!

The Holy Spirit guides us today as we read and study the Word God gave by His Spirit to Jesus' disciples. God's powerful Word gives us all the truth we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3) as we skillfully handle the Word of Truth (2 Timothy 2:15). The Spirit does not reveal anything to anyone contrary to Scripture.

Scripture tells us we can grieve or quench the Spirit. If you are struggling to engage in the study of Scripture, perhaps you've quenched the Spirit. Sam Storms writes, "We quench the Holy Spirit when we rely decisively on any resource other than the Holy Spirit for anything we do in life and ministry" (Colossians 1:19 and 2 Thessalonians 1:11). This would include our reading of Scripture.

Will you slow down and shut down the competing noises of your life and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you to rely on Him as you read and study the Word of God? Romans 8:26 tells us the Spirit is willing to pray for us in ways we don't understand. Seek His help as you grow and go to impact your world for the glory of Jesus!

Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him (1 Corinthians 7:17).