“The Truth Sets Us Free” by

Fred Wikoff

470 Lochmoor Pl.

Eugene, OR 97405

Phone: 541-343-4918

Words: 485

The Truth Sets Us Free

One of the most exciting and wonderful stories in the New Testament is the promise and coming of the Holy Spirit. Advocate, counselor, teacher, helper, convincer of sin, and free to all who believe; the Holy Spirit leads us to faith in Christ and gives us the ability to lead a fruitful and pure life that is pleasing to God.

Unfortunately, the concept of the Holy Spirit is also one of the most confusing and misunderstood subjects in the Bible. For years I thought possessing the Holy Spirit had to do only with supernatural powers such as faith healing or speaking in tongues. Because I couldn’t do these things I felt something was lacking in my spiritual life; and as a result prayed to be filled with more of the Spirits power and presence.

Lewis S. Chafer in his book, “He that is Spiritual,” addresses this very problem: “To be filled is not the problem of getting more of the Spirit; it is rather the problem of the Spirit getting more of us.”

Clearly Christ’s promise of the Holy Spirit means little if we are so busy doing things our way we fail to hear the Spirits counsel. And I was doing just that. I was so wrapped up in doing things my way I was shutting God out. I was asking God for more of his Spirit to do my own thing, instead of offering more of myself for his service. Once I finely saw the problem and yielded myself completely to him; I happily experienced the full indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.

No, I didn’t start speaking in tongues, heal, or prophesy . . . just the opposite. For the first time I saw clearly the agonizing depth of my sins and my utter lack of power to do anything about them without Christ’s grace. “And when he comes, he will convince the world concerning sin.” (John 16:8)

Too often we focus on the more dramatic gifts of the Spirit, and fail to see that the main work of the Spirit is to teach and counsel, and free us from Satan’s control by revealing our sins and witnessing to the truth of Jesus Christ. The truth really does set us free.

What a wonderful thing God has done for us; first coming to earth in the flesh; then sending his Spirit to live within us with the promise, “I will not leave you desolate.” (John 14:18) “He who believes in me . . . out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38)

“And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him: you know him, for he dwells with you, and will be in you.” (John 14:16-17)