HOW TO STAY ON TRACK

How to Stay on Track

The Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie.

1 John 2:27

READ 1 JOHN 2:18–27

As the world’s fastest blind runner, David Brown of the U.S. Paralympic Team credits his wins to God, his mother’s early advice (“no sitting around”), and his running guide—veteran sprinter Jerome Avery. Tethered to Brown by a string tied to their fingers, Avery guides Brown’s winning races with words and touches.

“It’s all about listening to his cues,” says Brown, who says he could “swing out wide” on 200-meter races where the track curves. “Day in and day out, we’re going over race strategies,” Brown says, “communicating with each other—not only verbal cues, but physical cues.”

In our own life’s race, we’re blessed with a Divine Guide. Our Helper, the Holy Spirit, leads our steps when we follow Him. “I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray,” wrote John (1 John 2:26). “But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know” (v. 27 nlt).

John stressed this wisdom to the believers of his day who faced “antichrists” who denied the Father and that Jesus is the Messiah (v. 22). We face such deniers today as well. But the Holy Spirit, our Guide, leads us in following Jesus. We can trust His guidance to touch us with truth, keeping us on track.

By Patricia Raybon

REFLECT & PRAY

Dear God, attune our hearts to Your Holy Spirit’s guidance so we’ll run to Your truth and not to lies. Read about the filling of the Spirit.

How attuned are you to the Holy Spirit’s guidance? How can you listen better when He guides, warns, and directs?

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

John was one of Christ’s first disciples (along with Andrew; see John 1:35-40). Scholars believe he was the only one of Christ’s faithful eleven disciples who wasn’t martyred for his faith. It’s also largely agreed that his writing ministry (the gospel of John; 1, 2, and 3 John; and Revelation) came late in life—perhaps in ad 80-90. John never names himself in his own gospel, but usually describes himself as “one of them” (John 13:23) or “one of His disciples” (esv), “another disciple” (18:15), or “the other disciple” (20:2, 4). Most often, however, he refers to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7; 21:20). Bill Crowder