The Holy Spirit - God's Spirit
E-book and Audio series
PART 2 - The Roles and Activities of the Holy Spirit
Chapter 39 - The Spirit Today - a Revealer of Truth
Summary: Considering the role of the Holy Spirit as a revealer of truth in the life of the believer today.
| |||||
Study notes for this audio:
(Note: This is just a summary of the points covered. There is greater detail in the audio message).
No.39 The Holy Spirit Today - a Revealer of Truth
We’re continuing this part of the series looking at ways in which the Holy Spirit – the intangible arm of God – interacts on God’s behalf with us.
In the last two studies, we’ve considered one of the roles of the Holy Spirit today – that of an enabler, i.e. one who enables us in ways that are beyond human capabilities. We’ve looked at several portions of Scripture, but the prayer in Ephesians 3 was the passage which we’ve returned to a number of times.
In the last study specifically, we began by focussing again on the Greek word dunamis (meaning power/ability, but sometimes “miracle”). The comparison was made between power in the Acts Period, which was often linked with it being a visible sign or a wonder, and power now, which is more to do with strengthening the inner man (see the handout with the chart on the previous study's page.).
Also emphasised was a chain of ideas that are linked together in several Scriptures, namely:
- Christ loved us and sacrificed Himself for us.
- If we have placed our faith in Christ, we have the Holy Spirit dwelling with us.
- That same Spirit may strengthen us to know this sacrificial type of love Christ had.
- We may be strengthened by the same Spirit to exhibit that same love in our lives.
In this study, we'll focus on another of the Holy Spirit’s roles in our lives today – that of being a Revealer of truth.
First, let’s remind ourselves of how God revealed His truths to people in earlier dispensations -
READ 2 Peter 1:20,21
- OT examples - OT prophets (those who spoke and wrote on behalf of God)
Many times in the OT - “Thus says the Lord”, and “The word of the Lord came to me saying..."
"Well spake the Holy Spirit by the prophet Isaiah ...." – Acts 28:25
- Gospels - Luke 4:18 the Lord Jesus declared “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me to preach …”
- Acts Period NT examples – Peter and co. v.18 …also in v.2-4
- Paul … 2 Peter 3:14-16
Let’s now read some of the words of Paul, where he speaks about God revealing truths through the Holy Spirit.
In a moment we’ll read from 1 Corinthians 2. NOTE: There are Acts Period specific aspects about this passage - this is being written mainly from the point of view that God revealed certain truths to Paul via the Holy Spirit. Let’s not take everything in this passage and just automatically apply it to ourselves.
We’ll read the passage first, and then go back and observe a few important principles
READ 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 … (
(then Paul then speaks of the limits of human knowledge and wisdom)
READ 2:10-3:3a
v.4 Paul’s message was of God (i.e. the power of the Holy Spirit)
v.5 same sentiment expressed again – a person’s faith in God needs to be based upon the words of God, not merely religious words of man.
v.10,11 – no one knows the things of God, except the Spirit of God - an important principle to understand about the Holy Spirit.
v.12 - Some of then things of God may be revealed to those in whom the Spirit dwells (eg, including us today)
But … v.14 the things of God are spiritually discerned - a second important principle to understand about the Holy Spirit.
However – READ 1 Corinthians 3:1-3a
It is apparently possible to be blessed with the Holy Spirit’s presence, but not have any of this revelation if our heads are still buried so much in the things of this world.
When we open the Scriptures, it is a good idea to ask God’s help for guidance in understanding them.
Lest our Bibles become like a sundial whilst the sun is not shining. Without enlightenment from God about His Word, can we really learn and assimilate the things of God? cp 1 Corinthians 2:11
I think we can still bring a lot of baggage and false ideas to the Scriptures when we open the book, but let us ask our God to help us sort out the wheat from the chaff, the truth from that which just gets in the way.
Let’s consider a bit more about the revealed word of God – the Scriptures. READ 2 Timothy 3:14-17
v.16 - Scriptures were given through the Spirit – God-breathed (NIV) or inspired/inspiration (KJV/NKJV)
Greek word: theopneustos
theo = God / pneuma = spirit
(note the word “spirit” in that Greek word)
– Profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness. The Bible, the revealed word of God should be what we turn to learn about our faith, and also how we should live out that faith; the final arbiter in these matters.
Consistent with Colossians 3:16,17 – let the word of Christ dwell in you richly
(not too different from the "word of God", but perhaps more specifically referring to the type of love Christ showed others, as revealed in the Scriptures. Context is consistent with this.
How to do this? By singing to yourselves (ie yourself) spiritual songs in your heart.
A great way of teaching ourselves or reminding ourselves of Scriptural principles
(a warning - many Christian songs, hymns, etc are not Scriptural!)
A parallel passage sheds some light on this aspect, with special relevance to the Spirit’s work today
– READ Ephesians 5:17-20
v.18a – don’t be filled with wine, that will influence you poorly
(KJV - excess, NKJV dissipation =frivolous, NIV debauchery = over indulgence in the senses, linked with drunken behaviour)
v.18b … but be filled with/by the Spirit
v. 19 – How? – by singing to yourselves songs
Compared with Colossians 3, there is a link between the Scriptures, and the Holy Spirit teaching us in accordance with the Scriptures.
Concluding thoughts:
Let’s not forget some important principles about the Spirit’s work of revealing the God’s truth, taken from 1 Corinthians 2:
- v.11 – no one knows the things/thoughts of God except the Spirit of God (who dwells within us v.12)
- v.14 – the things of God are spiritually discerned/understood – not purely by limited human reasoning
In light of our subject, the Spirit’s role in our lives today - I encourage you to do two things this week:
(1) read the Holy Spirit inspired Scriptures, that are profitable as a basis for our doctrine and our manner of life as Christians; and
(2) seek the Lord’s guidance when you open the Scriptures, for the things of God may only be discerned with the help of God; more specifically, via God’s Holy Spirit who dwells within you.
(Note: This is just a summary of the points covered. There is greater detail in the audio message).
No.39 The Holy Spirit Today - a Revealer of Truth
We’re continuing this part of the series looking at ways in which the Holy Spirit – the intangible arm of God – interacts on God’s behalf with us.
In the last two studies, we’ve considered one of the roles of the Holy Spirit today – that of an enabler, i.e. one who enables us in ways that are beyond human capabilities. We’ve looked at several portions of Scripture, but the prayer in Ephesians 3 was the passage which we’ve returned to a number of times.
In the last study specifically, we began by focussing again on the Greek word dunamis (meaning power/ability, but sometimes “miracle”). The comparison was made between power in the Acts Period, which was often linked with it being a visible sign or a wonder, and power now, which is more to do with strengthening the inner man (see the handout with the chart on the previous study's page.).
Also emphasised was a chain of ideas that are linked together in several Scriptures, namely:
- Christ loved us and sacrificed Himself for us.
- If we have placed our faith in Christ, we have the Holy Spirit dwelling with us.
- That same Spirit may strengthen us to know this sacrificial type of love Christ had.
- We may be strengthened by the same Spirit to exhibit that same love in our lives.
In this study, we'll focus on another of the Holy Spirit’s roles in our lives today – that of being a Revealer of truth.
First, let’s remind ourselves of how God revealed His truths to people in earlier dispensations -
READ 2 Peter 1:20,21
- OT examples - OT prophets (those who spoke and wrote on behalf of God)
Many times in the OT - “Thus says the Lord”, and “The word of the Lord came to me saying..."
"Well spake the Holy Spirit by the prophet Isaiah ...." – Acts 28:25
- Gospels - Luke 4:18 the Lord Jesus declared “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me to preach …”
- Acts Period NT examples – Peter and co. v.18 …also in v.2-4
- Paul … 2 Peter 3:14-16
Let’s now read some of the words of Paul, where he speaks about God revealing truths through the Holy Spirit.
In a moment we’ll read from 1 Corinthians 2. NOTE: There are Acts Period specific aspects about this passage - this is being written mainly from the point of view that God revealed certain truths to Paul via the Holy Spirit. Let’s not take everything in this passage and just automatically apply it to ourselves.
We’ll read the passage first, and then go back and observe a few important principles
READ 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 … (
(then Paul then speaks of the limits of human knowledge and wisdom)
READ 2:10-3:3a
v.4 Paul’s message was of God (i.e. the power of the Holy Spirit)
v.5 same sentiment expressed again – a person’s faith in God needs to be based upon the words of God, not merely religious words of man.
v.10,11 – no one knows the things of God, except the Spirit of God - an important principle to understand about the Holy Spirit.
v.12 - Some of then things of God may be revealed to those in whom the Spirit dwells (eg, including us today)
But … v.14 the things of God are spiritually discerned - a second important principle to understand about the Holy Spirit.
However – READ 1 Corinthians 3:1-3a
It is apparently possible to be blessed with the Holy Spirit’s presence, but not have any of this revelation if our heads are still buried so much in the things of this world.
When we open the Scriptures, it is a good idea to ask God’s help for guidance in understanding them.
Lest our Bibles become like a sundial whilst the sun is not shining. Without enlightenment from God about His Word, can we really learn and assimilate the things of God? cp 1 Corinthians 2:11
I think we can still bring a lot of baggage and false ideas to the Scriptures when we open the book, but let us ask our God to help us sort out the wheat from the chaff, the truth from that which just gets in the way.
Let’s consider a bit more about the revealed word of God – the Scriptures. READ 2 Timothy 3:14-17
v.16 - Scriptures were given through the Spirit – God-breathed (NIV) or inspired/inspiration (KJV/NKJV)
Greek word: theopneustos
theo = God / pneuma = spirit
(note the word “spirit” in that Greek word)
– Profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness. The Bible, the revealed word of God should be what we turn to learn about our faith, and also how we should live out that faith; the final arbiter in these matters.
Consistent with Colossians 3:16,17 – let the word of Christ dwell in you richly
(not too different from the "word of God", but perhaps more specifically referring to the type of love Christ showed others, as revealed in the Scriptures. Context is consistent with this.
How to do this? By singing to yourselves (ie yourself) spiritual songs in your heart.
A great way of teaching ourselves or reminding ourselves of Scriptural principles
(a warning - many Christian songs, hymns, etc are not Scriptural!)
A parallel passage sheds some light on this aspect, with special relevance to the Spirit’s work today
– READ Ephesians 5:17-20
v.18a – don’t be filled with wine, that will influence you poorly
(KJV - excess, NKJV dissipation =frivolous, NIV debauchery = over indulgence in the senses, linked with drunken behaviour)
v.18b … but be filled with/by the Spirit
v. 19 – How? – by singing to yourselves songs
Compared with Colossians 3, there is a link between the Scriptures, and the Holy Spirit teaching us in accordance with the Scriptures.
Concluding thoughts:
Let’s not forget some important principles about the Spirit’s work of revealing the God’s truth, taken from 1 Corinthians 2:
- v.11 – no one knows the things/thoughts of God except the Spirit of God (who dwells within us v.12)
- v.14 – the things of God are spiritually discerned/understood – not purely by limited human reasoning
In light of our subject, the Spirit’s role in our lives today - I encourage you to do two things this week:
(1) read the Holy Spirit inspired Scriptures, that are profitable as a basis for our doctrine and our manner of life as Christians; and
(2) seek the Lord’s guidance when you open the Scriptures, for the things of God may only be discerned with the help of God; more specifically, via God’s Holy Spirit who dwells within you.
