4 ways the Holy Spirit reveals truth to you and me

We are in the middle of a series called, “Delight in Doctrine.”

We are taking four weeks to look deeper at the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

You can read post one here – “Who and ‘what’ is the Holy Spirit really?”

Post two is here – “2 Important Reasons you need the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Today, we are adding post three.

She gave them to us almost every Sunday in church.

They were the coolest little pencil puzzle books. If you would turn your pencil to the side and brush it back and forth across the page, an image would “magically” appear.

My brother and I would enjoy page after page of these magic puzzle books, anticipating what images might be revealed.

I think this is how my parents survived “Big Church” with us when we were young.

As we launch into today’s study on the Holy Spirit, we are going to consider one of His greatest roles in the Trinity.

The Holy Spirit is the great “Revealer” of truth.

He has been revealing the truth since the beginning of days. And, He still is in the revealing business today.

Here are 4 ways the Spirit acts as the Revealer of truth in our lives:

First… The Holy Spirit gave revelation to prophets and apostles in the Bible.

In the simplest of terms, we know that He revealed God’s words to the prophets in the Old Testament and the apostles in the New Testament.

Many of these revelations were so that these men would have the words necessary to put into the Bible. In 2 Peter 1:21, we are told that the Bible came about because “men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

Other people were filled with the Spirit and spoke or sang words that became part of the Bible.

Some examples include:

Elizabeth (Luke 1:41),
Zechariah (Luke 1:67), and
Simeon (Luke 2:25).

The Holy Spirit reveals the truth to us as we read, study, and reflect on God’s Word – the Bible.

The Holy Spirit reveals the truth to us as we read, study, and reflect on God’s Word – the Bible. Click To Tweet

Second… The Holy Spirit is the One who reveals God’s presence today.

In the Bible, there are many mentions of the Holy Spirit revealing God’s presence. One familiar example is when Jesus was being baptized in John 1:32. The Holy Spirit made His presence known when He descended like a dove.

On another occasion, we read of the Spirit coming in like the sound of rushing wind (Acts 2:2-3).

What about in our lives?

How does the Spirit reveal God’s presence?

Here are just a few ways that the Spirit reveals God’s presence:

The Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we belong to God (Romans 8:16).
The Spirit reveals His desires and leads us (Romans 8:4-16; Galatians 5:16-25).
The Spirit gives gifts that manifest His presence (1 Cor. 12:7-11).
The Spirit also does miraculous signs and wonders in our lives (Heb. 2:4; 1 Cor. 2:4; Rom. 15:19).

The Holy Spirit reveals God’s presence by bearing witness that we belong to God. He also reveals His desires and leads us.

Additionally, the Spirit gives us gifts that manifest His presence.

And, He still does miraculous signs and wonders in our lives.

4 ways the Holy Spirit reveals truth to you and me

Third… The Holy Spirit Guides and Directs His people.

This may be the favorite for most of us! We want to know God’s will, and we want to understand what He has for our lives.

How does the Spirit guide and direct us?

The Spirit leads us as we walk closely with Him (Rom. 8:14; Gal. 5:16-26).
The Spirit prompts us away from sin and from things that are not good for us (Gal. 5:16-26).
The Spirit can allow us to feel His pleasure when we are walking with the Lord (Acts 15:28).

So, what does the Spirit’s direction really look like?

So, what does the Spirit’s direction really look like? Click To Tweet

In my own life, I have found that the Spirit leads by a deep peace or a great lack of peace. When I am walking with Him and doing all that I know He wants me to do, I experience calm, assurance, and a sense of peace.

However, when I began to talk about something careless or watch a questionable program, I will sense a loss of that calm and peace. Something in my heart will stir. I’ll have a “check” in my spirit. Sometimes, my heart will start to beat faster.

It’s not a loud voice or a big neon sign.

Rather, His direction comes in a still, small voice that communicates deep within my spirit that I’m headed in the wrong direction. That communication is from the Holy Spirit.

If you are walking with the Lord, you have sensed this as well. When you are living close to Him, you will sense His peace.

However, as you move away from what is right, the Spirit will nudge you. He will gently press you to stop or to turn or to repent.

Another great example of how we can sense the Spirit’s pleasure comes from an Academy Award-winning movie.

Do you remember the film, Chariots of Fire? In this movie, missionary and track star Eric Liddell has the chance to run several races in the 1924 Olympics. However, Eric’s sister is pressing him to go on to the mission field.

A classic line from the movie comes in this scene when Eric tells his sister, “I believe God made me for a purpose, but He also made me fast! And when I run I feel His pleasure.”

When we are living in faithful obedience, we also get to enjoy that sense of God’s pleasure.

Whether we are rocking an infant late at night, holding a friend’s hand as they walk through a dark valley, or singing a solo – we can enjoy God’s pleasure.

The Spirit is the One who allows us to feel God’s pleasure.

When we are living in faithful obedience, we also get to enjoy that sense of God’s pleasure. Click To Tweet

Fourth… The Holy Spirit teaches and illumines.

Jesus told His disciples that the Spirit would teach them all things (John, 14:26). In John 16:13, Jesus told them that the Spirit would guide them into all truth.

In Ephesians 1:16-19, Paul explains how the Spirit is able to illumine and enlighten. He prays that the Christians in Ephesus will have their eyes opened:

“I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly,asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.

And, I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.”

Today, we can also ask the Spirit to open our eyes to see the truth.

Psalm 119:18 makes for a great prayer, “Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.”

Today, we can also ask the Spirit to open our eyes to see the truth. Click To Tweet

On many occasions, I’ve prayed and asked the Spirit to help me to not miss what He was trying to show me.

One of my favorite ways to do this is to pray using a method called, “Question at the top of the Page.”

My husband and I were taught to do this early in our marriage by one of our former pastors – Brother Bob Sorrell.

He taught us to ask the Lord a very specific question and to write it at the top of the page in our journal.

For example:

Should I marry John?
Should I take the job at Pfizer?
Does God want me to join Bethel Church?
Should I go on the mission trip to Brazil?
Should we homeschool our children?
Is it time to sell our house?

Then, we were to pray about this question daily until we both had an answer.

As we prayed, we were to write down Bible verses that applied, sermon notes that applied, songs, quotes, and events that applied.

4 ways the Holy Spirit reveals truth to you and me

The Spirit has enlightened our hearts many times as we’ve prayed in this way. I highly encourage you to try it.

As we close, I’d like to share a couple of personal stories that illustrate how the Spirit works to reveal the truth in our lives.

He’s not mystical or magical; He’s God in spirit form. We can’t see Him. (And, sometimes, this creeps us out!)

One example I can share that happens several times a week—and even sometimes daily—is that of the Spirit leading me to pray for someone. I will get a person on my mind. Then, I will think of them again. That’s when I pray for them. Usually, I’ll let them know that I prayed and what I prayed.

More often than not, I will get a note back from someone I prayed for telling me that I prayed at the perfect moment. That wasn’t me thinking of them at the perfect moment. That was the Holy Spirit prompting me to pray for someone at a certain moment in time.

Another example that I love to share is about groceries and the Holy Spirit.

I was in Kroger buying groceries for the week when I sensed that I was supposed to buy several bags of food for a young couple in the seminary. This idea was as clear as anything I’d ever felt.

Then, I loaded up meats, veggies, dairy items, and bread for this family. I left with three extra paper bags of groceries that day.

I asked the young wife to stop by my house later that afternoon. (She was a woman that I was mentoring.) When she came into the room, she saw the three brown bags of groceries on the table.

As her eyes filled with tears, she simply said, “Oh, God took care of us through you. We were completely out of food and payday is still several days away.”

The Spirit still leads you and me today.

He still reveals God’s presence in our lives and at work around us.

He still guides us and directs us – if we will listen for His voice. And, the Spirit continues to teach us and illumine the path for us to walk.

May we become men and women who are looking for the Spirit to be the Revealer in our lives!

May we become men and women who are looking for the Spirit to be the Revealer in our lives! Click To Tweet

Prayer –

Spirit, would You lead me? I want to be more aware of You and Your presence in my life and all around me. I ask You to guide me and direct me. Show me the paths to avoid and the ones to walk down. And, would You teach me and illumine the roads ahead for me? Thank You for Your revealing power.

4 ways the Holy Spirit reveals truth to you and me

So, what do you think??

Have you experienced the revealing power of the Holy Spirit in your life?
How has He led you or taught you?
How have you seen Him work?

I’d love to hear from you!

Have you experienced the revealing power of the Holy Spirit in your life? Click To Tweet

Join us as we take a clear and practical look at some of the most basic and essential tenants of the Christian life – the doctrines of the faith.

Each week, we will highlight and explain a core doctrine. Then, we will pose the question, “Why does this matter to you and me?”

You can catch all of this year’s “Delight in Doctrine” posts by clicking HERE.

For the purposes of the study, our main texts are first, the Bible, of course, and Wayne Grudem’s classic, Systematic Theology:  An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine.

It is our prayer that by the end of the year, we will all find more delight in understanding what we believe and why we believe it.

“…And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27 (ESV)

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We are in the middle of a series called, “Delight in Doctrine.”

She gave them to us almost every Sunday in church.

They were the coolest little pencil puzzle books. If you would turn your pencil to the side and brush it back and forth across the page, an image would “magically” appear.

My brother and I would enjoy page after page of these magic puzzle books, anticipating what images might be revealed.

I think this is how my parents survived “Big Church” with us when we were young.

As we launch into today’s study on the Holy Spirit, we are going to consider one of His greatest roles in the Trinity.

The Holy Spirit is the great “Revealer” of truth.

He has been revealing the truth since the beginning of days. And, He still is in the revealing business today.

Here are 4 ways the Spirit acts as the Revealer of truth in our lives:

First… The Holy Spirit gave revelation to prophets and apostles in the Bible.

In the simplest of terms, we know that He revealed God’s words to the prophets in the Old Testament and the apostles in the New Testament.

Many of these revelations were so that these men would have the words necessary to put into the Bible. In 2 Peter 1:21, we are told that the Bible came about because “men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

Other people were filled with the Spirit and spoke or sang words that became part of the Bible.

Some examples include:

Elizabeth (Luke 1:41),

Zechariah (Luke 1:67), and

Simeon (Luke 2:25).

The Holy Spirit reveals the truth to us as we read, study, and reflect on God’s Word – the Bible.

Second… The Holy Spirit is the One who reveals God’s presence today.

In the Bible, there are many mentions of the Holy Spirit revealing God’s presence. One familiar example is when Jesus was being baptized in John 1:32. The Holy Spirit made His presence known when He descended like a dove.

On another occasion, we read of the Spirit coming in like the sound of rushing wind (Acts 2:2-3).

What about in our lives?

How does the Spirit reveal God’s presence?

Here are just a few ways that the Spirit reveals God’s presence:

The Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we belong to God (Romans 8:16).

The Spirit reveals His desires and leads us (Romans 8:4-16; Galatians 5:16-25).

The Spirit gives gifts that manifest His presence (1 Cor. 12:7-11).

The Spirit also does miraculous signs and wonders in our lives (Heb. 2:4; 1 Cor. 2:4; Rom. 15:19).

The Holy Spirit reveals God’s presence by bearing witness that we belong to God. He also reveals His desires and leads us.

Additionally, the Spirit gives us gifts that manifest His presence.

And, He still does miraculous signs and wonders in our lives.

Third… The Holy Spirit Guides and Directs His people.

This may be the favorite for most of us! We want to know God’s will, and we want to understand what He has for our lives.

How does the Spirit guide and direct us?

The Spirit leads us as we walk closely with Him (Rom. 8:14; Gal. 5:16-26).

The Spirit prompts us away from sin and from things that are not good for us (Gal. 5:16-26).

The Spirit can allow us to feel His pleasure when we are walking with the Lord (Acts 15:28).

So, what does the Spirit’s direction really look like?

In my own life, I have found that the Spirit leads by a deep peace or a great lack of peace. When I am walking with Him and doing all that I know He wants me to do, I experience calm, assurance, and a sense of peace.

However, when I began to talk about something careless or watch a questionable program, I will sense a loss of that calm and peace. Something in my heart will stir. I’ll have a “check” in my spirit. Sometimes, my heart will start to beat faster.

It’s not a loud voice or a big neon sign.

Rather, His direction comes in a still, small voice that communicates deep within my spirit that I’m headed in the wrong direction. That communication is from the Holy Spirit.

If you are walking with the Lord, you have sensed this as well. When you are living close to Him, you will sense His peace.

However, as you move away from what is right, the Spirit will nudge you. He will gently press you to stop or to turn or to repent.

Another great example of how we can sense the Spirit’s pleasure comes from an Academy Award-winning movie.

Do you remember the film, Chariots of Fire? In this movie, missionary and track star Eric Liddell has the chance to run several races in the 1924 Olympics. However, Eric’s sister is pressing him to go on to the mission field.

A classic line from the movie comes in this scene when Eric tells his sister, “I believe God made me for a purpose, but He also made me fast! And when I run I feel His pleasure.”

When we are living in faithful obedience, we also get to enjoy that sense of God’s pleasure.

Whether we are rocking an infant late at night, holding a friend’s hand as they walk through a dark valley, or singing a solo – we can enjoy God’s pleasure.

The Spirit is the One who allows us to feel God’s pleasure.

Fourth… The Holy Spirit teaches and illumines.

Jesus told His disciples that the Spirit would teach them all things (John, 14:26). In John 16:13, Jesus told them that the Spirit would guide them into all truth.

In Ephesians 1:16-19, Paul explains how the Spirit is able to illumine and enlighten. He prays that the Christians in Ephesus will have their eyes opened:

“I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.

And, I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.”

Today, we can also ask the Spirit to open our eyes to see the truth.

Psalm 119:18 makes for a great prayer, “Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.”

On many occasions, I’ve prayed and asked the Spirit to help me to not miss what He was trying to show me.

One of my favorite ways to do this is to pray using a method called, “Question at the top of the Page.”

My husband and I were taught to do this early in our marriage by one of our former pastors – Brother Bob Sorrell.

He taught us to ask the Lord a very specific question and to write it at the top of the page in our journal.

For example:

Should I marry John?

Should I take the job at Pfizer?

Does God want me to join Bethel Church?

Should I go on the mission trip to Brazil?

Should we homeschool our children?

Is it time to sell our house?

Then, we were to pray about this question daily until we both had an answer.

As we prayed, we were to write down Bible verses that applied, sermon notes that applied, songs, quotes, and events that applied.

The Spirit has enlightened our hearts many times as we’ve prayed in this way. I highly encourage you to try it.

As we close, I’d like to share a couple of personal stories that illustrate how the Spirit works to reveal the truth in our lives.

He’s not mystical or magical; He’s God in spirit form. We can’t see Him. (And, sometimes, this creeps us out!)

More often than not, I will get a note back from someone I prayed for telling me that I prayed at the perfect moment. That wasn’t me thinking of them at the perfect moment. That was the Holy Spirit prompting me to pray for someone at a certain moment in time.

Another example that I love to share is about groceries and the Holy Spirit.

I was in Kroger buying groceries for the week when I sensed that I was supposed to buy several bags of food for a young couple in the seminary. This idea was as clear as anything I’d ever felt.

Then, I loaded up meats, veggies, dairy items, and bread for this family. I left with three extra paper bags of groceries that day.

I asked the young wife to stop by my house later that afternoon. (She was a woman that I was mentoring.) When she came into the room, she saw the three brown bags of groceries on the table.

As her eyes filled with tears, she simply said, “Oh, God took care of us through you. We were completely out of food and payday is still several days away.”

The Spirit still leads you and me today.

“I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly,asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.

You can catch all of this year’s “Delight in Doctrine” posts by clicking HERE.

For the purposes of the study, our main texts are first, the Bible, of course, and Wayne Grudem’s classic, Systematic Theology:  An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine.

“…And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27 (ESV)