June 23, 2025

CONTINUAL CONFESSION/CONTINUAL SURRENDER

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you.

John 14:16-18 NLT

TODAY’S THOUGHT

Only hours before His arrest, trial, and crucifixion, Jesus took time to comfort His disciples with an incredible promise. He began to teach them about the person and power of the Holy Spirit — the One who would come after Him to continue His work in their lives. He assured them they would not be left alone. The Spirit would come to dwell in them and guide them — forever.

Jesus gives us three powerful truths about the Holy Spirit in this passage:

1. He is “Another” Advocate

Jesus says the Father will send “another Advocate.” The Greek word for “another” here means “another of the same kind.” In other words, the Holy Spirit is not a substitute or a downgrade — He is of the same nature and essence as Jesus Himself.

Just as Jesus walked with His disciples, taught them, comforted them, and empowered them, the Holy Spirit continues that same ministry today — only now through believers. The Spirit is not a distant force but a present, personal God working in and through us. To understand what the Holy Spirit does today, we only need to study what Jesus did during His earthly ministry.

2. He is the Spirit of Truth

The New Living Translation says He “leads into all truth,” while the NIV simply calls Him the “Spirit of truth.” Both are accurate — and deeply meaningful.

Jesus tells us in John 17:17, “Your word is truth.” That means the Spirit of Truth always leads us back to the Word of God. He doesn’t invent new revelations that contradict Scripture — He helps us understand and apply what God has already spoken.

Think of it this way: The Bible is a book written by human hands but authored by the Holy Spirit. When we read the Word and invite the Spirit to speak, we’re not just studying Scripture — we’re engaging with the very Author. It’s like reading a book and having a direct line to the writer to explain every chapter, every paragraph, every purpose. Who better to teach us what it means?

3. He Is Invisible to the World

Jesus also says, “The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him.” This is a sobering truth — the Spirit cannot be accessed by human intellect or natural perception. He is spiritually discerned.

Think about the invisible signals around us right now — radio waves, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth. They’re everywhere, but without the right receiver, you’d never know they exist. In the same way, unless our hearts are tuned to God through faith, we won’t recognize or receive the Spirit’s leading.

That’s why it’s so vital to walk in continual confession and surrender. Known sin disrupts the signal. It clutters our spiritual bandwidth. But when we live in repentance, we make room for the Spirit to speak clearly and guide faithfully.

TODAY’S PRAYER

Holy Spirit, I invite You to take total control of my life. Fill me with Your wisdom and understanding. Teach me what to think, what to say, and what to do. Forgive me for the sinful patterns I’ve allowed to remain. Cleanse me. Tune my heart to hear Your voice — and give me the courage to obey. Amen.

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