“Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”
The Truth
It would be easy to think of the Holy Spirit as a force, an energy, a vague sense of religious feeling. Jesus does not describe him that way here. He uses personal language throughout, him, not it, and promises that this person will dwell with the disciples and then be in them. This is not a power to tap into. This is a person to know.
The title Jesus gives him here matters: the Spirit of truth. His work is not primarily emotional experience, though it can include that. His work is truth, aligning your mind with reality as God actually defines it, cutting through the comfortable lies you tell yourself and the world tells you.
Notice the promise of location. He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. Before Pentecost, the Spirit’s presence with God’s people was often external and temporary. After Pentecost, for everyone united to Christ, his presence is internal and permanent. You do not have to travel to a holy place to find him. If you belong to Christ, he already lives in you.
Do not relate to the Spirit as a mysterious force to feel your way toward. Relate to him as the personal, truthful presence of God who already lives inside you, right now.
Live This Truth
- Notice today where you have treated the Spirit as a vague force rather than a person.
- Ask the Spirit of truth to show you one lie you have been believing.
- Thank him today for dwelling in you, not merely near you.
Prayer
Spirit of truth, you are not a force to feel my way toward but a person who already lives in me. Show me truth today, and let me relate to you as you actually are. Amen.
Carry this today
Not a force to feel. A person who dwells in me.