The Limitless Ability of the Truthful Spirit
David W Palmer
(John 14:16–17 NKJV) “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— {17} the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.”
Our wonderful Lord Jesus greatly encouraged his apprentices with this statement. He said that the Father would give them another “Helper,” the “Spirit of truth.” Earlier, Jesus said of himself that he was “the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6). Here, he says that the Father would send another one like him—another “Helper,” comforter, stand-by, advocate, counselor. Jesus is “The Truth”; the new “Helper” would be “The Spirit of truth.”
Relating to Jesus, who is the truth, requires absolute honesty, integrity, and transparency—with no deception and no denial (See: Psalm 15). The same applies to building a secure, longstanding, satisfying relationship with the Spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit. Today, I encourage you to approach your relationship with him—the one who can help you, encourage you, strengthen you, advocate for you, and counsel you—in the same way you would relate to Jesus if he appeared in all his glory before you right now. Relate to him with humble, submitted, transparent honesty—no deception and no denial.
Jesus said that this Spirit of truth would “abide with you forever” and that he will dwell “with you and will be in you.” This tells us two vital truths about our relationship to and with the Spirit of truth:
First, we see that the wonderful Spirit of truth is available exclusively to God’s people; “Whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him.”
Second, we see that we have the third person of the Godhead inside us. Just as God put the “the spirit of man within him” (Zech. 12:1 NKJV), and as Satan can be in people (See: John 13:27, Acts 5:3), so God’s Holy Spirit can be in us. We just need to receive him:
(John 20:22 NLT) Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
The truth that the creator of the universe—the One with infinite power, wisdom, love, and creativity—actually abides in us is a never ending source of amazement and wonder. All of his limitless strength and ability, along with his indomitable force of holiness, is available from within us. What’s more, God gave us the awesome privilege of being the key to releasing his infinite potential into our lives and into any and every needy situation on earth today:
(Ephesians 3:20 NKJV) Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.
(1 John 4:4 NKJV) You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
One greater than every demon, storm, trial, lack, attack, or depression is living in you today. He is more powerful than any sickness, disease, or affliction. The one inside you right now has more than enough power to empty every hospital, rescue all victims of human trafficking, and provide for every poor and starving person on earth today. He knows the answer to every question, he knows the solution to every problem, he can provide the key to every mystery, and he understands the path to every discovery. The greater one inside you knows everything that can be known. He is superior to every challenge, and he is the infinite power of holiness in person—ready to transform your life into perfect harmony with God’s plan for you.
If you have received God’s glorious Holy Spirit, all of this is available to you right now. (If not, you can receive him by simply asking: “Father, in Jesus’s name, I ask you to give me your wonderful Holy Spirit. Thank you; I receive.”) But you may be asking, “How do I release him to operate in his full potential in and through me?” The answer is simple; it’s through your relationship with him:
(2 Corinthians 13:14 NKJV) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
This passage speaks of the “communion” of the Holy Spirit. This means fellowship that is so close that you and he become one; you grow so intimate that you know his thoughts and feelings, you can anticipate his responses and opinions, and you can receive insight into his dreams, visions, and intended actions and plans.
How do we develop this close, personal relationship with the wonderful and amazing person that Father sent to live in us? First, we must hear what Jesus said about him; he is the Spirit of truth. To walk in close and intimate communion with him, we need to relate to him as the truth. Another way to look at this is to ask, “How is your relationship with the truth?” Do you entertain any deception? Are you conversant with any denial—about yourself, others, God, or the enemy? If your relationship with deception and denial is more robust than your walk with honest, humble truth, you will struggle to live in the fullness of what God wants you to enjoy: unhindered relationship with the Spirit of truth, enjoying all the benefits of his infinite power and ability residing within you.
Today, let’s be quick to repent of any un-holiness, untruthfulness, and unbelieving doubt. Then, learn to walk in a surrendered, loving, close, intimate relationship with the amazing third person of the Godhead—the one Father sent in Jesus’s name to live in you: the amazing, wonderful, holy Spirit of truth.
(Psalm 15:1–2 NKJV) LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? {2} He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart.