Resist

We human beings are prone to overestimating our own abilities. Specifically, I mean in spiritual matters. That is to say, individual humans may be prone to self-doubt in skill, ability, competency, social abilities, and the like, but even relatively un-confident people tend to be rather assured of their own spiritual knowledge and insights. Now, this is not necessarily a bad thing if the spiritual insights and knowledge that one possesses are true. But the unfortunate side effect of this is that we have something of a hard time being under authority of others in spiritual matters.

What I am trying to say is that we have an inborn assumption that our spiritual insights are good and trustworthy. But this is not what Jesus says. He tells us her we need a Helper, One who will come and give us the truth. In other words, we cannot simply trust our own ideas and perceptions about spiritual things; doing so ends in confusion at best and unbelief at worst. We need to have a Guide, an Advocate, a Helper. We need to be led and sustained in truth and faith.

This is why Jesus here promises us the Holy Spirit.

Find out more in this sermon from St. John's Lutheran Church of Oakes, ND!