Welcome to Day 12. of our devotional study, Who Is The Holy Spirit And What Does He Do online Bible study. Today's Bible study is about the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We will be studying the following scriptures, John 16:13, John 14:26, John 16:8, Acts 16:6-7, and Colossians 3:15.
Guidance Of The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit, often referred to as the Helper, Advocate, or Counselor, plays a pivotal role in the life of a believer. Jesus promised His disciples that after His departure, the Holy Spirit would come to guide them into all truth. This devotional study focuses on the guidance of the Holy Spirit, exploring key scriptures to understand how the Spirit leads, teaches, convicts, and provides peace to believers.
We discussed on Day 8 of our Bible study that the Holy Spirit is Truth, which means the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity is genuine, trustworthy, faithful, and full of integrity.
One of the roles of the Holy Spirit in our lives is to guide us into all truth. Today we are going to dive deeper into the role of the Holy Spirit guiding us.
The Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 2:14 that unless we are led to see truth by the Holy Spirit, we will never see it.
"The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned."
Only by the Holy Spirit guiding us can we understand the Bible and then experience the joy of the Holy Spirit (we talked about the joy of the Holy Spirit on Day 10).
I don’t know about you, but I rely on the Holy Spirit's guidance to navigate my way through life.
Since my early twenties, I have actively sought wisdom for key decisions from family members, mentors, friends, co-workers, and pastors. They gave me good advice but their perspective was limited. I still had to discern the best course of action on a big decision before the Lord.
One of my fondest memories of how the Holy Spirit led me to make a very big decision was about dating a young man in my early twenties. I had been praying for a husband. I did not want to waste any more time dating someone the Lord did not want me to marry. I had God-given desires to marry a man who wanted to serve God as a minister of a church.
That had to be a desire the Holy Spirit put in my heart!
A young man was bugging me for a date (he was/is 10 years older than me). The problem was my heart didn't get excited about dating him. So I went to the Lord in prayer and asked Him what to do about this young man. The next time I met him, it was like electric shocks went through my body when our hands touched. I also found out that around the same time we had first met, the Lord had clearly called him into ordained ministry!
The Holy Spirit is so good! You may have already read a bit about my story but if you haven't yet, I will tell you that I indeed married this young man. We have had an exciting life so far. We have served in four churches and have met amazing people. I am so grateful for the guidance of the Holy Spirit!
The Holy Spirit will guide you
Read John 16:13
Click on the Bible verse to read it in various translations at Biblegateway.
"Howbeit 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 shew you things to come. John 16:13 KJV
The Holy Spirit, referred to as the Spirit of truth, guides believers into all truth. This guidance is not based on human wisdom but on divine revelation. The Spirit speaks only what He hears from the Father and the Son, ensuring that His guidance is aligned with God's perfect will. The Holy Spirit wants to show us things to come in the future.
Take a look at the last part of John 16:13
"He said when the Spirit came, “…he will shew you things to come”
Here is a quote from Renner about the Greek word, odegeo.
The Holy Spirit wants to guide us through life. He wants to guide us as we walk into the future. In John 16:13, Jesus used this illustration of a guide to describe the ministry of the Holy Spirit. He said when the Spirit came, “…he will shew you things to come” (John 16:13).
The word “show” is the Greek word odegeo, and it is the word for a guide who shows a traveler the safest course through an unknown country. This means Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to be our Guide! The Holy Spirit knows the way we should go. He knows how to avoid every trap and every attack; He knows the safest and fastest route for us to take. When we are stepping into territory that is new to us, it is imperative that we let the Holy Spirit lead us, for He wants to show us the precise route to take so we can successfully reach that place God has put in our hearts.
When we make major decisions, it’s very important to let the Holy Spirit lead us. He wants to show us the exact path to reach the destinations God has planned for us. This is part of His ministry—to guide us safely to our God-ordained destinations.
As believers, we should seek the Spirit’s guidance daily, trusting that He will lead or guide us in truth. This means having an open heart, being ready to listen, and being willing to follow His direction.
The Holy Spirit guides us as we read scripture
Read John 14:26
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." John 14:26 ESV.
Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would teach us all things and remind us of His words. This ministry helps us understand and apply God's Word in our lives.
Regularly reading Scripture and praying allows the Holy Spirit to reveal deeper truths and remind us of God's promises. For example, you might gain new insights while reading a passage or recall a comforting Bible verse during a stressful moment. This is the Holy Spirit at work, illuminating God's Word and bringing it to our remembrance when we need it most.
By seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance and staying engaged with Scripture, we can navigate life with wisdom and confidence, knowing God is with us every step of the way.
The Holy Spirit's Convicting Role: A Guide for Our Spiritual Growth
Read John 16:8
"And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment" John 16:8 ESV.
The Holy Spirit shows us the truth about sin, righteousness, and judgment. This conviction is essential for our repentance and transformation. By being attentive to the Spirit’s conviction, we can respond with a heart eager for repentance and holiness. The Holy Spirit also works in the hearts of others, drawing them closer to Christ.
The Holy Spirit reveals the reality of our sin, shining a light on areas where we fall short of God's standards. When you feel a sense of guilt or remorse over a specific action or attitude, it’s often the Holy Spirit making you aware of your sin. This conviction is not to condemn you but to lead you to repentance and forgiveness.
The Holy Spirit also shows us the righteousness available through Jesus Christ. He guides us to live rightly before God. As you grow in faith, the Holy Spirit will guide you to live in ways that reflect the character and holiness of Christ. When you feel an inner urging to do what is right, it’s the Holy Spirit leading you toward righteous living.
The Holy Spirit's convicting work is essential for our spiritual growth. By revealing our sin, guiding us toward righteousness, and reminding us of judgment, the Holy Spirit helps us grow closer to God and live in ways that honor Him. Trust in the Spirit’s guidance, and respond with a heart open to His leading.
Read Acts 16:6-7
"And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them." Acts 16:6-7 ESV.
In Acts, we see the Holy Spirit actively directing Paul and his companions, preventing them from entering certain regions. This divine guidance ensured they were in the right place at the right time for God's purposes. God had a specific plan and timing for the spread of the Gospel. At that moment, His plan was for Paul to go to Macedonia instead of Bithynia. This redirection led to the Gospel being brought to Europe for the first time, as we see in the subsequent verses where Paul receives a vision calling him to Macedonia.
We must be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading, even when it means changing our plans. Trusting in His sovereignty, wisdom, and perfect timing, we can have confidence that He will lead us where we need to be for His glory.
The Holy Spirit: Our Divine Umpire Guiding Us to Peace
Read Colossians 3:15
"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15 ESV.
The peace of Christ, given by the Holy Spirit, acts like a referee in our hearts, helping us make decisions that align with God's will. When we're faced with choices, the presence or absence of peace in our hearts can indicate whether we're following the Holy Spirit’s guidance. If we feel a sense of inner peace, it's often the Holy Spirit affirming our decision. On the other hand, a lack of peace may suggest we need to reconsider or pray more about the situation.
The Holy Spirit also guides us to seek and maintain peace in our relationships with other believers. He helps us develop an attitude of gratitude, which is essential for keeping peace in our hearts. As we cultivate thankfulness, we become more attuned to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Gratitude shifts our focus from worries and complaints to God’s goodness and faithfulness, enhancing our sense of peace.
Summary: How does the Holy Spirit guide us?
The guidance of the Holy Spirit is an invaluable gift to believers. By leading us into truth, teaching and reminding us of God’s Word, convicting us of sin, directing our paths, and granting us peace, the Holy Spirit empowers us to live lives that honor God. Let us continually seek His guidance, trusting in His perfect wisdom and direction.
Practical Steps to Follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit
Stay in the Word: Regularly read and meditate on the Bible to understand God’s will.
Pray Continuously: Maintain an open line of communication with God through prayer.
Be Sensitive: Pay attention to the inner promptings and convictions of the Holy Spirit.
Seek Wise Counsel: Consult mature believers and mentors for advice and confirmation.
Observe Circumstances: Look for God’s hand in the events and opportunities around you.
Pursue Peace: Follow the path that brings peace to your heart, aligning with God’s Word.
Here are cross-references for further study:
1 John 2:20, 1 John 2:27, 1 Corinthians 2:13, Nehemiah 9;20, 1 Thessalonians 1:5, Revelation 3:7, Philippians 4:7, Ephesians 4:3, and 2 Thessalonians 3:16.
Let's pray for guidance from the Holy Spirit:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your perfect guidance and sovereign plans. Help us to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading, trusting that You know the best path for us. May we respond with immediate obedience and faith, knowing that Your ways are higher than ours. Use us strategically for Your purposes and for the spread of Your Gospel. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Who Is The Holy Spirit And What Does He Do? Online Bible Study and Printable Journal
Dive even deeper into this study with our printable journal. This journal is designed to guide you through personal reflections and insights, enhancing your experience as you engage with the Scriptures and listen to the Holy Spirit. Grab your journal HERE.
Here are some questions to consider as you study the person of the Holy Spirit:
What is the most important truth I learned about the Holy Spirit?
Did the Holy Spirit convict me of anything that I need to change in my life?
Come back tomorrow as we study Is The Holy Spirit The Spirit Of God?
Thank you for joining me on this journey. May the Holy Spirit continue to lead you into a deeper relationship with God and empower you to live out your faith boldly and effectively.
Resources used in today's study on, Guidance Of The Holy Spirit:
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