God’ Presence #6—Present For Clarity

It is to your advantage that I … send the Helper to you. … He will expose the world’s error concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment. John 16:7–8

The rest of the world would have us believe incorrectly about certain fundamental truths regarding God’s kingdom. This is why Jesus thinks having the Holy Spirit is advantageous for his subjects. The Spirit’s job is not to convince the ungodly of their error. Rather Jesus provides the Spirit to us as the prosecuting attorney who exposes the error of all those who fail to acknowledge Jesus as Lord. The Spirit exposes the world’s incorrect thinking about sin; having confidence in and pledging allegiance to Jesus are the only ways to overcome sin in our lives. The Spirit exposes the world’s incorrect notions about righteousness; as Jesus lived by being faithful to his Father, he became the model of righteous living—his going to be with the Father is the evidence that proves he was righteous. The Spirit exposes the world’s error concerning judgment; everyone will be judged, for the ruler of the world’s ungodly people has already been judged. This is how the Spirit helps us. We may not always have other people who can help us clearly see the reality of the situation around us. But we do have the Holy Spirit. He is with us and will help us recognize reality and remember what Jesus taught when he was here. Then, he will “guide us into all the truth.” With him, we have an enormous advantage.

Lord Jesus, thank you for putting your wisdom and desire to live righteously into me by the Holy Spirit. Thank you for not leaving me to face the world alone. Illuminate your truth through me.