John 14:25-27 "These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. (26) But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (27) Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
Our precious Lord is such a wonderful Saviour! On this night, when He would be
betrayed, He spent these last hours teaching and preparing His disciples for
that which they would soon be facing. He had just told them the Holy
Ghost would come to stand by them in all their trials of life. Now He is
explaining to them how the Holy Spirit would indeed give comfort to them.
To this time, Jesus had been their visual source of comfort. They had walked
with Him and talked with Him for over three years. They had observed Him
teaching and healing multitudes of people. Now He has told them He is going
away. But He promised another Comforter, the Holy Ghost, Who would come and be
with them even as He had been with them.
If we go back a while in this book of John, we remember the description Jesus
gave of Satan. "He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the
truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of
his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." (John 8:44) Jesus is
preparing them for the accusations which will be hurled at them for their
preaching, teaching, and healing: a gift that was given to the Apostles for
confirmation of the Word of God. To offset the lies which will be hurled
at them, Jesus has promised the "Spirit of truth". In a couple
chapters, we shall see that Jesus spoke of the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, as
being the One to guide them into all truth.
How does this pertain to us today? Be assured, Satan is still very active
trying to bring disappointment and discouragement into the hearts of God's
people. Thanks be to God, the Lord has given to each of His children the
Comforter, the Spirit of truth, Who still guides us into all truth. As we
face each day, there are two voices that are speaking to us. Satan is trying to
lure us into a path that will bring hurt and disappointment. The Holy Spirit
(Holy Comforter, Spirit of truth) speaks to us in guidance of the path which is
right. David spoke of these paths as "the paths of righteousness."
Satan will present his way as being the easiest way and quickest way to
fulfillment. But remember, Satan is a murderer and a liar. Nothing pleases him
more than to see one of God's little children falling by the wayside because of
pain and sorrow caused by sin. There are times we must be still and seek
the Lord's guidance. Remember what Jesus said, "And whatsoever ye shall
ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
(14) If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it."
(John 14:13-14) In another place He said, "Seek, and ye shall find.
Ask, and it shall be given. Knock, and the door shall be opened unto you."
Certainly asking guidance of the Lord is honoring to His glorious name.
Would you not think?
May each of us practice the art of listening to the Holy Spirit rather than
listening to that which promises to please the flesh. Remember: Satan is
a liar and he is good at it.