“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.”
John 16:13 (NLT)
Jesus spoke these words on the night before the cross. The disciples were overwhelmed—confused by what was coming, troubled by what they couldn’t understand, and fearful of being left alone. And right in the middle of that tension, Jesus made them a promise. He did not promise answers to every question at once. He promised a Guide.
The Holy Spirit would not merely give information; He would lead. Truth in God’s kingdom is not downloaded all at once—it is walked into. Step by step. Moment by moment. The Spirit guides us into truth, meaning truth unfolds as we stay close and keep moving with Him.
Jesus also says the Spirit does not speak on His own. He speaks what He hears. The Spirit carries the heart of the Father and the words of the Son directly into our lives. This means we are never left guessing God’s will when we are abiding. Heaven is not silent toward surrendered hearts.
And then Jesus adds something unexpected: the Spirit will tell you about the future. Not so we can control it—but so we can trust God as we walk toward it. When the Spirit leads, fear loses its grip, confusion gives way to peace, and obedience becomes possible—even when clarity comes one step at a time.