Our Teacher

Genesis 29-30; Luke 12 

“’When you are brought before synagogues, rulers, and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.’”

Luke 12:11, 12

When we are presenting the gospel, in responding to accusations or opportunities, the Holy Spirit is our teacher, our inspiration, and our confidence. When we primarily rely on our knowledge or wisdom, we miss the unique insight, or key, the Holy Spirit possesses for the particular person or audience we are speaking to or with. This does not invalidate preparation; rather, it is the Holy Spirit who orchestrates our thoughts like a conductor leading the various instruments of the orchestra. The key point is whether we rely on ourselves or on the teacher, Jesus, who was sent for us.

Is this principle just for courtroom settings?

John writes in 1 John 2:27 that the anointing we received from Jesus remains in us and we do not need anyone to teach us. This anointing is the ongoing instructing, revelatory, reminding work of the Holy Spirit, our ever-present teacher.

Have we placed our confidence in the teacher, or just in ourselves?

“Lord Jesus, thank you for your Spirit’s teaching, instruction, and guidance today, for your glory.”