Guy Duininck: The Ministry of the Holy Spirit
Immediately prior to His apprehension, suffering, and death, Jesus spoke five times about the ministry of the Holy Spirit [John 14-16]. One of the things He told His disciples was,
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” John 16:13
The Amplified Bible says, “...but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him]...”
Young’s Literal translation says, “...for He will not speak from Himself, but as many things as He will hear He will speak...”
About the work of the Holy Spirit in the coming New Covenant, Jesus revealed that He would not speak His own message, but what He “shall hear” that He “shall speak.” Three very important questions must be asked and answered, then, about this aspect of the work of the Holy Spirit:
1] Who would He be listening to? 2] Who would He be speaking to? 3] Where and How would He speak?
These are the answers:
1] The Holy Spirit is listening to the words of the Father and of the Son Who are in heaven. He is the intermediary. Much, perhaps even most, of what the Father and the Son wish to communicate with believers — be it truth, encouragement, direction, correction, or vision — is communicated and put in truth to the Holy Spirit.
2] The Holy Spirit then speaks that message from the Father and from the Lord Jesus to believers. He delivers the message from the Father and the Son.
3] The Holy Spirit most often speaks to the spirit, to the heart, to the inner man of believers, being the Indwelling Anointing, the Indwelling Teacher, the Indwelling rivers of living water. The Holy Spirit dwells within believers, as Jesus foretold: “He shall be in you.” Often His way of speaking is not specific words — although it can be — but is an internal urging, a nudging, a spiritual feeling, an internal, “it seems to me that I should,” or, "this seems to be truth." In this way, He guides believers not only into doctrinal truth, but also guides them into truth in the sense of guiding them in all things that are the true will of God; including their own personal lives and visions.
There is no Greater Gift to believers than the Gift of the Indwelling Holy Spirit. Gifts are Given to be Used.....so don't fail to "make use" of the Wonderful Teacher, Guide, Helper Who indwells you.
