The Spirit: our guide and defender
In John 16:1-11, Jesus tells the disciples two important truths about the ministry of the Spirit:
The Spirit will bring them guidance when the world is misguided.
The Spirit will give them a defense when the world is accused.
Believers in Jesus will be chased down and put to death because of their faith. Perhaps the most famous example of this in the Bible is the early accounts of Saul in Acts 8. Saul believed that he was doing God’s work, when in fact he was far from God and blind. He needed the Damascus road encounter with Jesus to bring him back to the right path.
So Jesus is very clear with his disciples- when they persecute you, that’s not a sign that you’re doing the wrong thing! Instead, they will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. (John 16:3)
Jesus also tells them the Spirit will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment. (v8)
Where do we find righteousness? As Christians we know that we can’t get it from our own effort, but rather, Jesus gives it to us. Jesus, our first advocate, defends us, stands in for us, presents our case before the Father. When the Father looks at us, he sees the perfect record and righteousness of Jesus, and declares us innocent on the day of judgment.
Thank God for the gift of the Spirit who guides us and defends us through the trials of this life, and brings us to his heavenly kingdom.
Reflection questions
1. Think of a time when you believed the world had an advantage, and you were at a disadvantage, because you were a follower in Jesus. What led you to believe this? What false values were at play?
2. Read John 16:1-11. When you experienced ‘persecution’ for being a christian, how did you respond? What did you feel?
3. How will it be to the disciples advantage that Jesus is going away (v5-7)? How will things be better?
4. In v8-10, Jesus describes the ways the Spirit will ‘convict’ the world (or: ‘prove the world wrong’). What do each of them mean, practically?