The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth

Jesus said,

"But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth."

What anyone who preaches God's word needs more than anything is truth, revealed and assured. How can I trust that I'm not making big mistakes when I preach the Word, or interpreting wrongly, or contradicting something I said in another message? A young brother once questioned me closely this way, and the only assurance we have is that the Holy Spirit is the one who guides us into all truth.

This doesn't mean I can write carelessly and say whatever comes into my head. I must study diligently to show myself approved. With the Spirit's help, I can do so, even if I have only a very limited time in which to prepare. As we learn in Cub Scouts, "Do your best". It will never be perfect, it may not ever be "good enough". But if I depend on my preparation or skill, I cannot but exalt myself.

If I depend on the Spirit, I will lift up Jesus and HE will draw all men to himself. And this is preciesely the work of the Holy Spirit, to

"convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father where you can see me no longer; in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned."

It's a mistake to think that I can convict people. Jesus promised the Spirit would do the convicting. OC says in today's devotion [from Devotions for a Deeper Life, not My Utmost]: "God does not always convict people when I think they ought to be convicted."

Often, though convicted, people resist and go away stone-faced, often for many years! Neither my preaching nor my prayer can make another person yield to God. Even God does not make people yield. Yet, I must trust that if I preach His truth, as the Spirit leads, they will be convicted---they will at least feel a pang of conscience that tells them "You know you are guilty," or at the least, "You know this is true."

But how can I---as a preacher---trust that I am following the Spirit's guidance? How, if I still sin, shall I trust that God is speaking through me? Maybe I should preface everything I say with disclaimers and apologies. I really can't stand to hear such things myself, and I find no example of preaching like this in scripture or history.

I know because His Spirit still convicts me. So I am still being used by His Spirit. Does His truth pierce me and bring me to grieve for my own guilt and unbelief? Surely. Then I am still in His sights and in His hands.

Therefore, I must not waver in preaching and serving God's word to this generation. The Spirit will empower me, whenever I speak His word, not because I am righteous, not because I am able, not because I am well-dressed, but because "He is faithful" and will fulfill his promise to convict men through the Spirit.

Praise Jesus who did not leave us as orphans, but is evermore "God With Us", empowering us. Lord, only grant that I may follow your guidance today.