The Holy Spirit – Day 15

Yesterday we focused on how the Holy Spirit reminds and convicts disciples of Jesus, ancient and modern, of His teachings and the truth of Scripture. Today we look at the reality that He is its Source, its Inspiration, and each writer was simply carried by Him in their task. In this lies the power of the Bible, the Word of God, as it reaches heart and mind on every level and thus sets itself apart from every other book written. Paul writes that, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Bible is jam-packed with theology, history, prophecy, poetry and stories, and most importantly, the way to salvation through Jesus Christ!

Other noteworthy people have also acknowledged the importance of the Bible and its effect on the world. George Washington, the first president of the United States, said: “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.” Horace Greeley, the editor of the New York Tribune, said: “It is impossible to enslave mentally or socially a Bible-reading people. The principles of the Bible are the groundwork of human freedom.” Immanuel Kant, the German philosopher, said: “I believe that the existence of the Bible is the greatest benefit to the human race. Any attempt to belittle it … is a crime against humanity.” Strong words from strong men.

When the Holy Spirit inspires an individual or a group, He accurately perceives the needs in the given situation. He does not just provide a kindly, helpful suggestion that may or may not work out, but as He knows the Word perfectly, He is able to speak truth straight into a person’s mind or heart, not as a man in an attempt to be helpful, but as God with perfect knowledge.

Thus, with eyes of faith we can see the vast potential in this, while others in history have already benefitted from it. Paul spoke of the effect that Scripture had on Timothy, a young fellow-worker. He wrote: “I have no-one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself …” (Philippians 2:20-22).

To Timothy he wrote: “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 3:14-15).

The same is true for us.