🕊️🔥 Devotional on John 15:21–27 The Cost of Witness and the Power of the Spirit

🕊️🔥 John 15:21–27 Devotional – The Cost of Witness and the Power of the Spirit

📖 Full Scripture (NIV)

21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.

22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.

23 Whoever hates me hates my Father as well.

24 If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father.

25 But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: 'They hated me without reason.'

26 "When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.

27 And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning."

🙏 1. Opening Prayer

Lord Jesus, open my eyes to the spiritual battle behind the world’s rejection. Fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I may testify about You with boldness and truth. Strengthen me to remain faithful in love and witness. Amen.

🔁 2. Repeated Words or Phrases

• "Hate / Hated" – verses 23, 24, 25
• "Guilty of sin" – verses 22, 24
• "Testify" – verses 26, 27
• "Spirit of truth / Advocate" – verse 26
• "The Father" – verses 21, 23, 24, 26

🧭 3. Theme

Faithful witness to Christ will provoke rejection, but the Spirit of truth empowers believers to testify with clarity and courage.

🕊️ 4. Observing God

• God sent Jesus into the world, but many did not know Him (v.21).
• Jesus' words and works reveal the Father (v.22, 24).
• The Spirit of truth comes from the Father and testifies about Jesus (v.26).
• The fulfillment of Scripture is part of God's sovereign plan (v.25).

🧍 5. Observing Humans

• The world rejects and hates Christ and His followers (v.21, 23).
• People are without excuse, having seen and heard the truth (v.22, 24).
• Believers are called to testify because they know Christ (v.27).
• The hatred believers experience is not personal, but spiritual (v.21, 25).

✝️ 6. Interpreting God

God does not hide truth but reveals it clearly—through Jesus’ words and works, and through the Spirit’s witness. The world’s rejection of Jesus is a rejection of the Father Himself. Yet, God is not silent. The Spirit of truth, sent by Jesus from the Father, speaks even when the world closes its ears. God calls His people to join in this testimony, not by human strength, but by divine power.

👥 7. Interpreting Humanity

Humanity’s rejection of Jesus is not rooted in ignorance but in willful resistance. Even when truth is plainly seen, pride and sin resist it. As believers, we must not be surprised by hostility, but we are not alone. We are called not just to endure the world’s hatred, but to actively testify of Christ. Our role is not passive. Though weak on our own, the Spirit emboldens us to stand, speak, and shine.

🪞 8. Personal Application

Am I shrinking back from speaking truth because of fear of rejection? Today, I will ask the Holy Spirit to give me boldness to testify of Jesus in word and deed. I will remember that I’m not alone—the Spirit speaks with me. I will reflect: who in my life needs to hear this testimony? I will step forward, even if it costs me comfort.

💓 9. Spiritual Touch

"When the Advocate comes... he will testify about me. And you also must testify..." (John 15:26–27)
— The Spirit and the Church are united in bearing witness to Jesus.

🙌 10. Prayer of Faith, Repentance & Thanksgiving

Father, thank You for sending the Spirit of truth. Forgive me when I fear the world’s response more than I love Your truth. Help me be a bold and faithful witness of Jesus. Let Your Spirit fill me, guide me, and speak through me. I trust in Your strength and Your plan. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

🌿 11. Meditate Throughout the Day

"You also must testify." (John 15:27)
Let this commission stir your heart—Jesus chose you to speak for Him, empowered by the Spirit.