Week Six - John 15:26–16:15 | The Spirit Who Testifies, Convicts, and Guides

Welcome to the 2025 Lenten Devotional

John 15:26–16:15 | The Spirit Who Testifies, Convicts, and Guides

🌬️ The Spirit Who Testifies, Convicts, and Guides

“When the Advocate comes…”

We are now deep into the Farewell Discourse—Jesus’s final teachings to His disciples before the arrest. He is preparing them for what is to come: not just His departure, but the arrival of One who will continue His work. In today’s passage, we are offered a fuller glimpse into the Spirit’s mission.

Jesus introduces the Spirit as Advocate, Spirit of Truth, Comforter, and Teacher—an ongoing, indwelling presence who will empower, reveal, and testify.

📢 The Spirit Who Testifies (John 15:26–27)

The Spirit is sent by both Jesus and the Father—demonstrating the unity of purpose within the Trinity. This Spirit will not work in isolation but will testify about Jesus—bearing witness to His identity and mission.

But the disciples are not left as spectators.

• They too are to testify. And they will not do it alone.
• Their words will be empowered, shaped, and carried by the Spirit.

This is not a new pattern.
From Noah, to Moses, to the prophets—God has always worked through people.​
Humanity is never sidelined in the story of God’s redemption.

✨ “It Is for Your Good That I Go…” (John 16:5–7)

For the disciples, this must have been unthinkable.
How could Jesus’s absence be an advantage?

But Jesus assures them: His departure makes way for the Spirit’s arrival.

• The Spirit will not just be with them, but in them—forever.
• This is not the temporary presence seen in the Old Testament.
• This is something new. Permanent. Transformative.

The Spirit doesn’t just accompany—the Spirit dwells, abides, empowers.

⚖️ Convicting the World (John 16:8–11)

Here, Jesus outlines how the Spirit will speak truth to the world—not just to the disciples.

• Sin: The Spirit reveals that rejecting Jesus is the root of sin.
• Righteousness: Jesus, returning to the Father, is vindicated—He is the true model of righteousness.
• Judgment: The “ruler of this world” (evil, injustice, temptation) is defeated. The Spirit exposes false allegiances.

This isn’t about condemnation—but clarity.

📚 The Spirit as Guide and Teacher (John 16:12–15)

There’s still more to say, Jesus tells them—but they are not ready.
The Spirit will continue the work of Jesus, guiding them into deeper truth.

This is not new truth, but a continuation and unfolding of what has already been revealed through Jesus.

The Spirit does not draw attention to the Spiritself—but glorifies Jesus, pointing people to His words, His love, His mission.

🧭 Lenten Reflection: Living with the Spirit’s Guidance

This passage offers us a profound reminder:

• The Holy Spirit is not passive.
• The Spirit testifies, convicts, guides, and teaches.

We are not meant to walk alone (take note some of my football friends, we ALL don't walk alone 😉)

• The Spirit reveals where we have gone wrong—not to shame us, but to invite transformation.
• The Spirit teaches—not abstract theology, but truth that forms us, shapes us, makes us more like Christ.
• And the Spirit empowers our testimony—reminding us that our story is not separate from God’s story.

✅ Reflection Questions:

• Where might the Spirit be convicting you—about sin, truth, or misplaced priorities?
• Are you allowing the Spirit to guide your decisions and form your understanding of truth?
• In what ways can you testify about Jesus in your daily life, trusting the Spirit to give you courage and wisdom?

🙏 Closing Prayer:

Spirit of truth and life, Thank You for guiding us, comforting us, and testifying through us.
Open our ears to hear Your voice, and soften our hearts to receive Your conviction.
Help us to walk in truth, not by human wisdom but by Your wisdom.
Empower our testimony so that our lives may point to Jesus.
Amen.