Briefing: Have you ever used a compass? If you were in the military, you are probably very capable of using a compass. What is the main purpose of a compass?

Dispatch (Assignment): Read John 14:15-31.

On the Street: Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines compass as: A device for determining directions by means of a magnetic needle or group of needles turning freely on a pivot and pointing to the magnetic north.

A compass that is working properly will always point north. When you get lost and cannot find your direction a compass will put you back on track and point the way. Most people do not carry a compass with them but I would bet that most of us have a compass in our vehicle that shows the direction our car is pointed.

In verse 17, Jesus refers to the Spirit of truth. All three persons of the Trinity, The Father (God), The Son (Jesus), and Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit), are linked with truth. By having the Spirit of truth in our lives we have a compass that points us in the right direction. Some people have compared our conscious with the Spirit. I believe it is much more than just having a conscious, although that is a part.

Jesus speaks again of the Spirit of truth (the Counselor) in verse 26. The Spirit of truth not only points you in the right direction but He, “will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I (Jesus) have said to you.” John 14:26 (NIV). He is a powerful companion who is with you always. He will work to point you in the right direction if you listen to Him.

Before Pilate sentenced Jesus to be crucified they had a conversation. Pilate asked Jesus if He was a King and Jesus replied, “’You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this reason I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” “What is truth?” Pilate asked.” John 18:37-38 (NIV). In this conversation, Pilate proves what Jesus told His disciples in John 14:16-17 (NIV) when He said, “He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever, the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives within you and will be in you.”

Jesus told Pilate He came to testify to the truth, which He did when He told His disciples that the Spirit of truth would be given to them. Jesus also told them the world could not accept Him (the Spirit of truth) because it could not see or know Him. If you look at Pilate’s response to Jesus in verse 37, Pilate proves Jesus’ point when he asks, “what is truth?” Pilate does not recognize, or seem to understand truth.

We must obey the Spirit of truth. Jesus tells us in John 14:15 (NIV), “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” In John 14:23 (NIV) Jesus says, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teachings.”

The Holy Trinity is truth. To know Him and love Him, we must also be people of the truth. The hardest area for us to point out truth is usually in our own lives. If you are like me, you need the Spirit of truth’s volume to be turned way up so you don’t miss it. Ask God, who gives generously to all who ask, to turn up the volume on the Spirit of truth in your life.

Investigational Resources: Romans 8:1-17 is a great study on living life through the Spirit.

Officer Safety Principle: Make a habit of listening for the Spirit of truth. It is there if we just listen.

from The Gospel of John Through the Eyes of a Cop
©by Charles Gilliland. Used by permission.
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