THE CHRISTIAN’S DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTIC THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH

 “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever, that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in You.”—John 14:16-17

 

In some countries of the world, when some one makes a sworn testimony they must vow that the testimony that they give is the truth.  In America, and in most courts, the person giving the testimony will say something like this, “I swear that the evidence that I shall give, shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God.”  The born-again believer has received the Spirit of truth so that their “testimony” to the world stems from the Spirit of truth.

 

When Jesus spoke the words, in our daily scripture, He clearly said that the “world” could not receive the Spirit of truth.  The “world” indicates the non-believing ones.  Meaning those individuals who are not born of the Spirit of God—the unbeliever.  Matthew Henry writes in his commentary concerning this passage in John 14 that “the disciples of Christ are here distinguished from the world, for they are chosen and called out of the world that lies in wickedness; they are the children and heirs of another world, not of this.” 

 

Scripture tells us that Satan is the father of all lies and deceit that is why it is so important for the believer to have a clear understanding of the principles of the Spirit of truth.  These principles include:  For the believer, the Spirit of truth will be true to you, and to his undertaking for you.  He will teach you the truth, enlighten your mind with the knowledge of it, will strengthen and confirm your belief of it, and will increase your love for it.  The Spirit of truth shall not only lead you into all truth, but others by your ministry.  The same Spirit that enabled the early Christians to leave all and to follow Christ, preach the gospel and work miracles, lives in you!  The same Helper that helped Jesus during his time of temptation is in you, to help you.  The writer of the book of Hebrews said it like this, “So we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6). 

 

The Church should remember that the distinguishing characteristic between the “world” and the Christian is TRUTH.  Allow the Spirit of truth to guide and direct your paths and your testimony.  Remember, that the way to overcome the “world” and its’ system is by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of your testimony.  “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to death” (Revelations 12:11).

 

Prayer—Father I thank you that you have given to me the Spirit of truth, my Helper, and with His help I will give testimony to Your wonderful works and glorify You in all that I say and do, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.