The Teaching of the Spirit

Just as man needs a supernatural Savior, so he needs a supernatural Teacher.  The Holy Spirit has come to teach us just as surely as Jesus Christ came to save us.  And we must learn to trust Him to do His work in us, just as we trusted the Lord to do His work for us.  Let’s consider— 

1.  The Characteristics of this Teacher.  The Holy Spirit is: 

1. Indispensable, 1 Corinthians 2:11; 14; Romans 11:33 tell us that no man can know the things of God because He cannot be understood. So man in his natural state is totally incapable of knowing God or discerning the things of God.  This being the case, he must have a teacher to show him the way to God.  This is the job of the Holy Spirit.
2. Infallible, 1 Corinthians 2:10; Isaiah 40:13.  The Holy Spirit alone knows the deep things of God. Without Him, man seeks God in vain for he cannot find Him. 
3. All-sufficient, 1 John 2:27.  The Lord has appointed pastors and teachers for the perfecting of the saints, and we must give them their proper place in the Church and in our lives, but the Spirit is able to teach us things no man can.  No matter how talented or even anointed a preacher may be, the Spirit knows more and can teach more.  Note John 14:16; 16:13.  Who better to explain a book than the one who wrote it?
4. Unassuming, John 13:16.  The Holy Spirit is the consummate gentleman; He will not force His will on anybody.  As one commentator so aptly stated, “He hides Himself that He might all the more glorify Christ.”  The Holy Spirit is a wonderful example to all ministers of Christ.  If He is so unassuming, how should we be?

2.  The way He teaches.  The Holy Spirit those He indwells by— 

1. Enlightening our minds, Ephesians 1:17—18.  We need wisdom from above because our eyes have been blinded by Satan (2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 John 2:11).  Unless the Spirit opens man’s eyes of understanding, man’s best efforts to do so will come to nothing.
2. Point to the sacrifice of Christ, John 16:18, Zechariah 12:10.  When sinful man is brought face to face with the reality of the Cross and all the Christ wrought on behalf of him, man is convinced of his guilt and of his need for a Savior.
3. Quickening the understanding, Isaiah 11:2—3.  Our minds are sharpened and alerted to the will of God by the Spirit’s work in us.  God’s will should be to our hearts and minds what a fine meal is to our sense of smell and taste.
4. Comparing things that are spiritual, 1 Corinthians 2:13.  He compares the spiritual things of the Old Testament with those of the New.  He expounds spiritual things to those who are spiritual because they are spiritually discerned. 
5. Revealing hidden things, Luke 2:26; 1 Corinthians 2:9—10.  The deep things of God are being unveiled before those who sit humbly at the Feet of this Great Teacher.
6. Recalling things forgotten, John 14:26, Psalm 119:11.  Even though we can’t recall the words of Scripture we have studied, they are still in our minds.  They are like weapons hidden for us by the Holy Spirit, and at the right time, He will bring them back to our consciousness.
7. Leading you where He wants you to go, Acts 16:6—7; Isaiah 37:5.  We may make our plans, but ultimately the Lord Himself directs our steps.

3.  Teaching proper attitudes.  He teaches— 

1. While we obey, Acts 26:28.  Philip was walking in obedience when the Spirit taught him.  Those who are disobedient will never be led by the Spirit.
2. While we meditate, Acts 10:19.  An image if reflected only in calm waters.  As we quiet our hearts before God, His image is reflected in our lives, Philippians 4:8; 1 Timothy 4:15; Psalm 119:99.
3. While we serve, Acts 13:2ff.  The believer who the work of the Lord will be guided by Him.  The Holy Spirit rejoices to guide and instruct the willing heart.
4. While we wait, Luke 2:26.  
5. While we listen, Revelation 2:7.  The Lord saves every believing soul and the Spirit speaks to every open ear.  The Spirit of prayer is better than times of prayer; times may come to an end, but the Spirit always walks with us.  Spiritual understanding comes as we listen to Him and that kind of understanding is better than all the commentaries ever written (as good as they may be).