I wish to address a common teaching that sounds spiritual — even liberating — and is often repeated by well-meaning Christians and popular preachers alike. It goes something like this:

“You don’t need to study the Bible or go to Bible college. The Holy Spirit will teach you everything.”

Sounds spiritual. But is that really what the Bible teaches?

Let’s break this down with three questions:

1. Does the Holy Spirit reveal the meaning of Scripture to us directly?
2. Why shouldn’t we depend solely on personal revelation?
3. How should we rightly approach and learn the Word of God?
   
   

1. What Did Jesus Mean in John 14:26?

Let’s begin with John 14:26 (NIV):
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

This verse is often quoted to justify the idea that the Holy Spirit alone is our teacher, and we don’t need human teachers or formal study.

But let’s consider the context. Jesus is speaking to His disciples—this was part of His final teaching before His crucifixion (John 14–17 NIV). The disciples were confused, emotional, and unsure of what would happen after Jesus left.

So Jesus comforts them, promising that the Holy Spirit would help them understand the significance of everything they had witnessed, especially His death and resurrection.

And we see the fulfilment of this promise in Acts 2. Peter, who once rebuked Jesus for talking about the cross (Mark 8:31-32 NIV), now boldly proclaims (Acts 2:23-24 NIV). How did Peter go from misunderstanding to bold proclamation?

This is what Jesus meant (Acts 2:4 NIV). The Holy Spirit would bring clarity about the Gospel and remind them of everything Jesus had taught so they could pass it on to others, which would eventually become the New Testament.

So this verse does not mean believers today don’t need teachers or study. It refers to how the Spirit helped the apostles recall and understand Jesus’ words so they could faithfully teach others.

2. Meaning of 1 John 2:27

Another passage often misused is: 1 John 2:27 (NIV)
“You do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things… remain in him.”

If we read this without context, it sounds like John is saying: “You don’t need teachers.”

But again, context is everything.

John is writing against the rise of Gnosticism, a false teaching in the early church that claimed only certain people had secret spiritual knowledge. These false teachers denied that Jesus came in the flesh and were causing confusion in the church.

John tells believers: You don’t need their so-called ‘secret knowledge.‘ Why? Because you already have the Holy Spirit’s anointing, which helps you discern the truth and remain grounded in Christ.

So John is not saying, “Forget Bible teachers.” He’s writing this letter to teach them. The point is: you don’t need false teachers or mystical knowledge—you need the truth of the Gospel.

3. What’s the Danger of Chasing Revelation?

Today, many chase after “revelations,” often at the expense of the clear and foundational teachings of Scripture.

But here’s the danger: Revelation without a solid biblical foundation can lead us astray (Galatians 5:17 ESV). We are in a spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:12 NIV), and one of the enemy’s most effective strategies is deception. People may mistake their own thoughts or feelings for divine revelation — but if it contradicts God’s Word, it’s not from God.

Sometimes, the pursuit of revelation is motivated by a desire to appear spiritual or to uncover something novel — often rooted in pride. But this pursuit, without discernment, can open the door to deception. Without a firm grounding in Scripture, we cannot accurately test whether a so-called “revelation” is truly from God.

Is Revelation Still for Today?

I’m not saying that the Holy Spirit has stopped working—far from it. But what He does today is better understood as illumination, not new revelation.

Illumination is when the Holy Spirit “switches on the light” in our hearts, helping us grasp and apply the truth of Scripture more clearly (Ephesians 1:17–18 NIV).

He doesn’t give us new Scripture or new doctrines. Instead, He helps us understand the truth that has already been revealed in God’s Word (1 Corinthians 2:12–13 NIV). His role is to deepen our insight—not to add to what God has already spoken.

Guidelines for Studying God’s Word

So, how should we approach the Scriptures?

1. Study in context. Don’t pull verses out of their original meaning. Example: 1 John 2:27 isn’t about rejecting teachers—it’s about rejecting false ones.
2. Be a diligent student (2 Timothy 2:15 NIV)
3. If you’re called to ministry, get trained. Bible colleges and theological education are valuable tools to help us grow in sound doctrine.
4. Be part of a Bible-teaching church. Surround yourself with godly leaders and a community that studies Scripture together.

Final Thoughts

Church, let’s be a people grounded in the Word, not tossed around by every emotional high or popular teaching. The Holy Spirit is our Helper, yes—but He doesn’t replace the Word or the need for diligent study. He helps us understand, remember, and live out the truth of Scripture.

Let’s seek true transformation—not through mystical experiences or vague revelations—but by being rooted in the unchanging truth of God’s Word.