Pastor Bill's Blog - Not On His Own Authority

The Spirit of truth will not speak on His own authority.

That’s a curious statement ...

Good thing I didn’t make it up - it’s actually a quote from Jesus:

“… when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority ...” John 16:13

Q. If the Holy Spirit doesn’t speak on his own authority, who’s authority does he speak from?

“… when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak” John 16:13

That’s interesting.

Q. Who’s he listening to to get what he’s supposed to say?

“… He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.” John 16:14b

And just in case the disciples didn’t get it the first time, he repeats it:

“All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said He will take from what is mine and make it known to you.” John 16:15

I seem to remember Jesus making similar statements about himself:

“I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak.” John 12:49

“The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me …” John 14:10

We’ve come to believe this about Jesus, but hearing it about the Holy Spirit - that’s different.

Q. Your thoughts on what’s going on here? Join the discussion, enter your comment below.

Pastor Bill

Comments

David Ediger wrote on Feb 27, 2010, 11:08:58 AM:
Jesus said he would send us “a counselor” upon his departer 1 a (1) : the act or an instance of departing (2) archaic : death b : a setting out (as on a new course) 2 : divergence 2 from this world. Everything he said indicated He, the Father and the Holy Spirit were one. That would mean they are of one mind. Lean not unto thine own understanding , but in all thy ways acknowledge 1 : to recognize the rights, authority, or status of 2 : to disclose knowledge of or agreement with 3 a : to express gratitude or obligation for b : to take notice of c : to make known the receipt of 4 : to recognize as genuine or valid Him also indicates we are to become of one mind. That would mean a letting go of our ways of determining the next step and submitting to His thoughts. Thus the need for spending time in the “Secret Place”, or “ I went to prepare a place” so we can absorb His thoughts. A problem arises when we are determined to direct our own paths. We then usurp 1 a : to seize and hold (as office, place, or powers) in possession by force or without right b : to take or make use of without right 2 : to take the place of by or as if by force : supplant the Holy Spirit’s guidance and stumble on our way through life. For so many years I have wondered “Lord tell me what to do” with little result. It is now obvious all I really need to do is spend submitted time with Him and He will without fail tell me what to do. The next step is to be willing to do it. Funny, but it also relieves me form a lot of unnecessary responsibility and thinking my way out. It’s a wonderful notion but works extremely well. Since adoption my life has improved one hundred fold.