This article is the second part of a teaching series on truth, its importance, and the attacks against it. Part I is “When Truth Becomes as Precious as Jewels,” and it is recommended that it be read before part II in order to get a deeper understanding of this article. The main point being presented is that when truth is replaced by lies and deceit, then wickedness and corruption increase. The problem has been presented in part I, and now the solution is presented here in part II. The solution can be clearly seen by the title of the article, The Spirit of Truth.
In the Gospel of John, verses 15-16, Jesus explains to His Apostles that He is going to send the Helper to them, this is the Spirit of Truth who proceeds from the Father. Jesus is referring to the Holy Spirit who makes His appearance at Pentecost, where He empowers the Apostles who perform miraculous works. In the above verse, John 16:13, Jesus informs them that the Spirit will guide them into all truth. The ministry of the Spirit continues to this day and is active in the life of believers as He also guides them into all truth.
The Spirit of Deception
In this fallen world which is in rebellion against God’s truth and is blinded by darkness, deception is preferred over truth because those who do evil love the darkness rather than the light, (John 3:19-20). The light of truth threatens to expose their evil deeds, so they choose to believe deceptive lies. An example of this is the deceptive tactic used to present the issue of abortion as a matter of healthcare, masking its true nature which brings the death of countless innocent children while still in their mother’s womb. This distortion of the truth hides the evil deed of destroying the life of the unborn child. This is the pattern of thought for the secular world in these times and the reason that deception is increasing.
The deceitful spirits of demons are actively confronting all forces that oppose their agenda to destroy truth. This means that they are targeting all followers of Christ to try to get them to deny God’s truth and instead to embrace lies—Beware, you are in their crosshairs! One only needs to look at all the churches flying rainbow flags and preaching false doctrines which contradict Biblical truth to confirm this statement. Recall all the major entertainment award shows, including the opening of the recent Olympic games, where demonic themes were showcased, and representations of Christianity were mocked and ridiculed. These assaults against the representatives of truth are not random but proceed from the dark spiritual forces who utilize human instruments.
The Sword of the Spirit
The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians includes a section on spiritual warfare for the believer, verses 6:10-17. In the above verse Paul explains that the believer must properly arm himself with spiritual armor and weapons if he/she is going to stand against the schemes of the devil. These schemes and tactics of the demonic forces are executed through the spirits of deception which have been and currently are the powers behind the attacks against truth. He goes on in verse 17 to present the Sword of the Spirit as the weapon that is to be used against these demonic schemes. Paul again refers to “deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,” as being responsible for leading people away from the faith, (1Tim. 4:1). Believers must understand and be aware of the power behind the deceptions in the world and to only approach them in the proper manner as instructed by Paul. Dark spiritual forces are Fallen Angels who possess supernatural powers and are not to be underestimated. They must be confronted only in the power of Christ and with the Sword of the Spirit.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God. that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” (Eph. 6:10-11).
Deception can only be conquered by truth, and there is no greater truth than God’s truth. The weapon to be used against spiritual forces is the Sword of the Spirit. However, the Sword of the Spirit, as explained by the Apostle Paul, is a weapon to be wielded by believers in spiritual warfare. This implies that only mature believers who have a firm foundation in the faith and are able to engage demonic forces have the ability to use it properly. Believers will engage in spiritual warfare as they progress in their spiritual growth because of the ongoing conflict between the Kingdom of Light and the Kingdom of Darkness. They are expected to protect themselves with the armor of God, or they will fall to defeat. Christians are advised to prepare by immersing themselves in the teachings of God’s word. Then you can understand and embrace the Spirit of Truth who lives in you, and “guides you into all the truth.” This should be part of the spiritual growth process of sanctification for every Christian.
The Gift of the Indwelling Spirit
The Spirit of Truth is the Holy Spirit who has been sent by Christ into the world after His resurrection to guide believers into all truth. In His work of illumination, the Spirit brings God’s revelation to mankind, and He also reveals it to believers so that they can understand the deep things of God, “But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God,” (1Cor, 2:9-10). The Holy Spirit is the author of Scripture as He worked through the human authors by His work of illumination and as He guided them in truth. The Spirit also works in the minds of believers in guiding them in all truth. The result of this illumination is that only believers who are indwelt by the Spirit of Truth are guided toward truth and away from falsehoods, lies, and deceptions. Unbelievers have no protection or guidance and are left open to the influence of deceptive spirits. They are often used by the spirits of deceit to confront Christians and destroy God’s truth. Unfortunately, many today are found within the Church. They can be easily recognized because they will present new views that challenge historical biblical teachings, usually to support an unbiblical lifestyle.
The Holy Spirit is a gift sent by Christ as the Spirit of Truth to guide all believers toward truth. The ministry of the Spirit has many other works but in relation to truth and deception, His work of illumination is highlighted here. Adding to the work of illumination by the Spirit, is the wonder of His indwelling believers as He directs them in truth and protects them from deceit. This marvel of the Spirit’s presence in the lives of those who belong to Christ is described below by scholar and theologian, John M. Frame.
“So the Spirit not only inspires, illumines, and demonstrates the Word. He also takes residence in our lives as a person. And when we recognize the promptings of the Spirit, the kind of life he urges upon us, we seek to live in that way, to encourage the growth of his fruits in our lives.
Frame, J. M. (2013). Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Christian Belief (pp. 675–676). P&R Publishing.
For these reasons, the Spirit and the Word, God’s breath and speech, are always together
So in the long trail of events that we have considered from the initial copying of the text to our present-day reception of Scripture, God himself walks with us. He never leaves us alone.”
Closing Thoughts
“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” (Rom. 8:11)
If there is only one thing that you remember from this teaching, may it be the wonder of having the Spirit of God dwelling inside of you, directing and comforting you. The authors of the books of the New Testament gave many instructions on the work of the Spirit in the life of Christians, but many do not know and have not been taught this knowledge. The work of the indwelling Spirit brings the Christian to maturity and transforms them toward Christlikeness. Here is just a short list of His works.
- The Spirit comforts by bringing the presence of Christ into our lives. The love and work of Christ brings peace and joy to our spirits.
- He inspires us toward spiritual growth as He teaches us through the illumination of God’s Word.
- He transforms us by continually pointing toward Christ as the model to follow.
- The Spirit is the Helper who assists us as we struggle with the trials and tribulations of life. His presence reassures us that we are never alone and that we must follow His leading toward righteousness.
May these words bring you a better understanding of the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Truth and may your curiosity be aroused toward a deeper study of the work of the Spirit.
Truth Series
- Part I-When Truth Becomes as Precious as Jewels–
- Part II-The Spirit of Truth–
- Part III-Deception, Division, and Disorder–
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