Developing Your Spiritual Life

We have spent the last several weeks studying about the Holy Spirit.  Unfortunately, for many, this study may become nothing more than another intellectual exercise of learning a bunch of interesting facts.  As we saw in Romans 8:9, “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his,” yet the majority of Christians today never seem to experience his power in their lives.  Perhaps a personal example can help us understand what is needed. 

I got my first pair of glasses when I was a freshman in high school.  When I walked out of the optometrist’s office, I saw things I had never seen before, and from then on the first thing I did in the morning was put on my glasses, and the last thing I did was take them off.   Each time I went back to the optometrist, I was given a little stronger prescription, and I became increasingly concerned about breaking or losing my glasses, or eventually losing my eyesight. 

About four or five years ago, read an old book on improving ones eyesight by doing certain exercises.   I tried the exercises for a couple of weeks, but didn’t see any change so stopped doing them.  A little over a year later, I went in to get new glasses and the optometrist commented that for some reason my eyes were slightly better.  I didn’t give it much thought because I had read that as we age people’s eyes tend to change shape slightly, changing the way they focus. 

A few month later, my daughter shared that she had been told that her eyes were deteriorating very rapidly and it was only a matter of time before she would be blind.   The doctors were hoping to slow the deterioration by using special contact lenses, but had no hope of stopping the problem.   I started reading about various possible cures, but with little hope, since  the doctors didn’t really believe there was any. 

A few months ago, I received an advertisement for a program to improve one’s eyesight.  It was pretty expensive, but I decided to do some research to see if it would help my daughter, so I went to Amazon and got a cheap e-book to experiment with.   Using the eye chart that was included, within a few days I began to notice some improvement in my left eye, so opted to buy the program to see if it would help. 

As the author explained, actual problems with the eye are very reare.  Unfortunately, in modern society most children are placed in and environment where their eyes don’t get the opportunity to look at things at varying distances, so do not develop the necessary musculature to adjust properly.  Those who spend a great deal of time indoors tend to become nearsighted, because they rarely look at things at a great distance, while others, who spend most of their time outdoors tend to become farsighted.  By practicing focusing on details of objects at different distances one can develop the muscular control to see what one once could not.  Unfortunately, wearing glasses or contacts enables the eye to see without having to make as much adjustment, and it becomes increasingly weak. 

Today, I see nearly as well without may glasses as with them with my left eye, and my right eye is much better than it was though still needing improvement.  How much the exercises will help my daughter, I have no way of knowing but I hope they will be beneficial. 

Developing our spiritual life is very similar to improving our eyesight.  We already have the Holy Spirit, just as I already had everything I needed to see clearly.  All that we need to do is learn to use that spiritual power by exercising it in different situations, and depending on him to enable us rather than depending on our intellect or what others have told us.  Unfortunately the ready availability of devotional books and studies, or moral codes and accepted standards make it easy to substitute them for allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us, preventing spiritual development just as the eyeglasses prevent eye improvement.   Put what we have learned to practice, trusting the Holy Spirit to show you how. 

Letting God Lead

God makes each individual unique.  Each person’s face is different so that people who know them can tell even identical twins apart.  Each person’s fingerprints ate different, as is each person’s DNA.  Some are tall and slender while others are more compactly built.  Skin colors vary widely, from a true black to chocolate brown to light tan to the almost colorless albino.  The range is nearly infinite, yet all are humans, with certain typical characteristics such as two arms, two legs, a single head, etc. 

As we saw in the study on the spiritual gifts, God gives each person a unique combination of gifts for the benefit of the church.  A demand that everyone have the same gifts, such as speaking in tongues demonstrates a lack of knowledge about the Holy Spirit.  The same is true when we believe only those who have a particular experience are called or led of God.  Dr. G> B. Vick was never ordained because he had never had the same experience others had and thus felt he was not called to the ministry, yet anyone who studies his life can only conclude he was just as called as any of the others.  We need to understand God is not obligated to do things the way we expect, because he is God.   As we see in scriptures, God reached different men in different ways, and even directed them by different means at different times. 

The apostle Paul’s calling was vastly different than that of Peter, or the other Apostles.  He did not simply come to the Lord after hearing him preach like most of the others.   In fact he openly resisted Christ’s message.  Timothy, on the other hand simply followed God from the time he was a young man. 

In Acts 8:5-8, one of those originally ordained as a deacon felt led to go to Samaria to start a church.  “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.  And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.  For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.  And there was great joy in that city.”  It was a comparatively large city, and the impact was enormous. 

A little later, God called Philip to a place in Gaza where there was only one man, in Acts 8:26-29.  “And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.  And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.  Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.”   The Coptic Christians of northern Africa claim to be the result of that one man’s teaching when he returned to Ethiopia.  

When my parents first came to Navajo Reservation as missionaries, we were told we should pick a different field because there would never be the large groups that were available on other fields.  Nevertheless, numerous churches were started and the door was opened for other missionaries to come.  God may call a person to big area or a small one. 

In Acts 16:4-11, Paul and his associates set out for Asia toi preach the Gospel.  God simply forbid them to go at that time.  “And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.  And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.  

Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.  And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.  And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.  And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.” 

Paul had started other churches, but this time he was directed in a special place first.  Later they would start churches in Asia, but it was not God’s plan for them to start there first.  God may direct us to a different place than we thought we should go.  As we see, God led in different ways at different times.  We need to learn to allow him to lead us to the proper place at the proper time, remembering what he said in Isaiah 55:8-9.  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”   

We need to understand he has a special plan and allow him to lead as he sees fit.   He may decide to lead us through the most logical plan, or like Philip, he may lead us to place that place that seems totally illogical.  The most important thing is that we be willing to serve him starting just where we are.   If we start with where we are, we can count on him to get us to the proper place, just as he did Abraham’s servant in Genesis 24:7.  “And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren.”

Sins Against The Holy Spirit III

The third sin we can commit against the Holy Spirit is that of blasphemy.  Luke 12:10 tells us, “And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.”   As a result this is frequently called the unforgiveable sin, and some people fear they may have committed it. 

To blaspheme means to slander or vilify.  Mark 3:22-30 describes the situation when Jesus said blasphemy would never be forgiven.   “And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.

And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?  And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.  And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.  No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.   Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.” 

Jesus was empowered by the Spirit of God.  The scribes were saying it was a Satanic spirit who was enabling to cast out demons.  As Jesus pointed out, such a claim made no sense, because Satan would be destroying himself if he did.  They were slandering the Holy Spirit, accusing him of being one of Satan’s spirits, and Jesus warned that would never be forgiven.   They were crediting what the Holy Spirit did to Satan.  

There is a second form of this sin.  The Holy Spirit is God, and James 1:13 tells us, “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.”   When we begin to accuse the Holy Spirit of leading us to do evil things such as ripping people off or killing innocent people we are also blaspheming the Holy Spirit.   Those televangelists who use their “ministry” to rip off thousands of people or who have hundreds of people killed in the name of Christianity, like Jim Jones, Charles Manson, or various other cult leaders through the ages fall into this category.  

In Numbers 16 we find the story of Koran and his followers being destroyed for rebelling against God’s leadership.  Caused them to be swallowed up by and earthquake.  Numbers 16:41-46 describes what happened next.  “But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the LORD.

And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared.  And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation.  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces.

And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun.”  The people were effectively blaspheming the Holy Spirit by  accusing Moses and Aaron of murdering God’s people, and God sent a plague that killed fourteen thousand seven hundred people for doing so. 

Real Christians have the Holy Spirit to guide them and are unlikely to commit this sin, but false teachers and religions which place their traditions and teachings ahead of God’s word may well fall into it.  

Sins Against The Holy Spirit II

In addition to grieving the Holy Spirit, we can hinder him, interfering with what he is trying to accomplish.  This may be inadvertent, like a little boy trying to help his daddy weed the garden, pulling the wrong plants because he doesn’t understand what God is trying to do.  It can also be a deliberate action in an attempt to control the results, effectively sabotaging his working.   King Saul is perhaps the best illustration of this. 

In an effort to motivate the people, Saul Had given and order that the people were not to eat anything until their enemies were wiped out.  I Samuel 14:23-30 tells the story.  “So the LORD saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto Bethaven.    And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food.

And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground.  And when the people were come into the wood, behold, the honey dropped; but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath.  But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.

Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint.

Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.  How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely to day of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for had there not been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines? “  God had give tne victory, but Sauls efforts to maximize it actually prevented the people from accomplishing as much as they could have, and in fact lead to the people sinning because they were so hungry.    

The Holy Spirit conveys our prayers to God in a proper form according to Romans 8:26-27.  “ Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”  According toe I peter 3:7, when we become focused on our own needs and desires, without concern for other people we can interfere with that process.  “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.”

In a dsimilar manner, if we get caught up in our own rights, authority, wisdom, or abilities we can hinder the gospel. Preventing people from getting truly saved, according to I Corinthians 9:11-12.  “If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?  If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.”   Paul made a special effort to limit himself to Just what the Holy spirit did, to avoid hindering his work, according to I Corinthians 2;4-5.  “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”  By focusing on psychological, emotional, or intellectual appeals, we can hinder the Holy Spirit’s working to draw people to God. 

Finally, by focusing on our traditions or church doctrines we can hinder people from coming to Christ.  In Luke 11:52, Jesus warned the lawyers. “Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.”   They were causing confusion about what God demanded so that people were hesitant to commit. 

Until we learn to let the Holy Spirit guide us and produce the results he desires we often hinder his working because we are like the Jews Paul described in Romans 10:2.  “For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.”  We may have the best of intentions, but our efforts become counterproductive.  

Sins Against The Holy Spirit I

There are certain sins we can commit against the Holy Spirit.  Ephesians 4:30-commands, “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”   There are certain things which, if allowed in Christian’s life, grieve the Holy Spirit.  Galatians 5:19-21 describes these as the works or actions of the flesh.  “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”  They are typical of the kinds of actions and attitudes Christ died to set us free from. 

When people who claim to be Christians behave in such manners they dishonor God and cause others to blaspheme or speak evil against Him, according to Romans 2:21-24.  “Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?  Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?  Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?  For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.”  Such activity is exactly the opposite of what they Holy Spirit is attempting to produce in the Christian’s life and it grieves him that they choose to live that way.  Whe wants to glorify God rather than dishonoring him, according to John 16:14-15. “He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.  All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you.”

There are many today who believe that because they have been saved, they don’t have to worry about such sins because they cannot lose their salvation.  They don’t seem to understand that the fact that they can continue in the sin raises the possibility they are not truly saved, as we have already seen.  If they are saved, they are making a mockery of God, and as I Corinthians 3:13-15 tells us, they will lose their rewards, even though they will get into heaven.  “Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.  If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.  If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” 

Galatians 5:16-17 tells us how to avoid dishonoring God and grieving the Holy Spirit.  “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.  For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”  Unless Christians learn to walk in the Spirit, they will constantly struggle with doing what is right and good.  The Great Commission, found it Matthew 28:19-20 commands, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”  The first teach is the Greek word meaning disciple or cause to become a follower.  Once they have been save, we are to baptize them and teach them to obey everything Christ has commanded.  An important part of that is teaching them to walk in the Spirit.  Because that part of the Great Commission has been neglected, many Christians are grieving the Holy Spirit.  

Gifts Of The Spirit VIII

Paul has given some specific guidelines about how the gifts of Prophecy and speaking in tongues are to be used.  He made the point that these gifts needed to be used in a spiritually mature manner so that they drew people to Christ rather than driving them away.   This next guideline is a point of contention with many today.  

“Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.  And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.” (I Corinthians 14:34-35)

Many feel this is an extremely chauvinistic statement and should not be taught or followed in the modern church.  I we look at what Paul said in I Timothy 2:11-15, we find the reasoning behind it is not chauvinistic.  “Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.   But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.  For Adam was first formed, then Eve.  And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.  Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.” 

While Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden, she did so because she had been deceived.   Adam was not deceived and deliberately took of the forbidden fruit in rebellion against God.   It was his rebellious attitude that was passed down to all humanity resulting in their becoming sinners deserving judgment and death.   Because the man caused the problem, it is the man’s responsibility to teach people how to make it right.  Women should not enable men to avoid taking their responsibility.  She does not have to take his responsibility to receive the blessings.  God has promised that if she learns to walk in the Spirit she will have his blessings.  The problem is not that the woman is inferior or less able, but that God has designated the man to take the responsibility.

The real issue is whether we believe the Bible is truly the word of God or not.   II Timothy 3:16-17 tells us, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”  In other words, if we will follow all the scriptures we will be able to do everything in a way that is pleasing to God.    

Unfortunately, some believe that they have gotten some special revelation form god authorizing them to ignore certain teachings.   Paul addresses that teaching in I Corinthians 14:36-38.  “What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?  If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. 1co 14:38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.”

We don’t get to decide what God’s word should say, nor does he give special rules for different groups.  Anyone who is genuinely spiritual or has the gift of teaching and understanding what God says will recognize that these rules are in fact what God commands.  Anyone who refuses demonstrates their ignorance of spiritual matters.  I John 4:6 tells us, “We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.”

With these things in mind, I Corinthians 14”39-40 instructs, “Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.   Let all things be done decently and in order.”  We ought to be more concerned with teaching other what god wants rather than on speaking in tongues.  That does not mean God will never use someone that speaks another language to deliver a message.  We just need to follow his guidelines  so things are done in a proper manner, as God intended.

Gifts Of The Spirit VII

The gift of tongues has been a source of conflict since Paul’s day, as demonstrated by his writngs on the subject here in I Corinthians 12-14.  As I Corinthians 14:20 tells us, we need to develop a mature attitude about the gifts in general and especially about tongues.   “Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.”  As we saw in the previous post, tongues were never intended for use among believers.  Misusing them poses a serious problem. 

“If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?  But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:  And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.” (I Corinthians 14:23-25)

If a person who is unsaved or not familiar with the custom comes into a church where everyone is speaking in different languages he doesn’t understand he will undoubtedly be confused and lose respect for the people, thinking they are crazy to keep talking in all those different languages.  Over the years, I have talked to number of people who visited such churches, and many felt exactly as Paul described, often refusing to go back.   On the other hand, if everyone gives a clear statement about what God has commanded, even the unbeliever will realize they are serious about God and be forced to think about his own relationship, even possibly accepting Christ. 

A mature attitude will be more concerned with helping others to grow than with making themselves appear spiritual.  I Corinthians 14:26 asks, “How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.”   Why is it that everyone thinks they have to sing a song or give a testimony or share a scripture every time?  These things can become such a big part of a service the that God’s word is neglected.  As we have already seen telling people what God has said is the most important activity gift in the church.  When music, testimonies or other activities take precedence over the teaching of God’s word, the church has lost its focus.   It is with that in mind that Paul gives some specific guidelines as to how the gifts should be handled in the church. 

“If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.  But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.” (I Corinthians 14:27-28)

There should never be more than two or three speaking in different languages in single service, and arrangements to have each message interpreted into a language should be made before the speaker starts.   If there is no one to interpret the language, the person should not speak publicly, but only in his own heart and to God.  

“Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.  If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.  For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.   And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.  For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” (I Corinthians 14:29-33)

As many prophets or teachers can speak as are desired, because the focus is on everyone learning.   There should be freedom for others besides the pastor or elders to speak.  When someone is speaking the other people are to be checking out what he teaching to be sure it is right.  We are not to blindly accept what a preacher or teacher tells us, so that we do not wind up following false doctrine.   In Acts 17:11, the Berean Christians were considered greater Christians because they followed this advice.  “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

Part of the fruit of the Spirit is temperance or self-control.  God is not the author of confusion, so if someone is unable to control themselves, or wait their turn, it is a clear indication they are not led of the Holy Spirit, because II Corinthians 3:17 tells us, “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”  The popular ideas of being slain in the spirit and falling to the floor when the spirit touches you or of being unable to stop dancing around or speaking in tongues indicates they are under the power of a different spirit.   When Jesus cast out evil spirits, the evil spirits sometimes threw the people to floor and the Lord lifted them back up as we see in Mark 9:26.  “And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.   But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.”   

Gifts Of The Spirit VI

The most valuable gifts are the ones that help people know God and his desires.  Those who are most interested in demonstrating god’s gifts and power should be focused on the best gifts, as I Corinthians 14:12-17 tells us.  “Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.  Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.  For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.  What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?  For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. “  Speaking in a language that no one understands is a waste of time unless someone interprets it.  If you don’t know what you are saying, only your emotions (your own spirit) are affected and you gain no spiritual understanding or growth.    As a result, Paul was determined not to spend time in those prayers, so that he could worship both with his emotions and his mind. 

Likewise if he prayed audibly in an unknown language, other people would have no idea what was really said.  How could they honestly say amen, or let it be so when they didn’t know what was being said?  For all they know it might be cursing Jesus rather than praising him.    A Chinese missionary described hearing a person who supposedly had the gift of speaking in tongues cursing the Lord in fluent Mandarin Chinese, and a man who visited our church had a similar experience with one of the Native American languages.   I Corinthians 12:3 tells us,”Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed…”   

“I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.” (I Corinthians 14:18-19)  Paul had grown up speaking Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.  In his various missionary journeys to different cultures he had also learned at least some of various other languages.  He could accomplish more with five words in a language he and the people understood than in hours of talking in language they didn’t understand.   

It is okay to have childlike attitude toward grudges and hurt feelings, but in things of the Spirit, such as speaking in tongues, we need to have a mature attitude, as I Corinthians 14:20-22 tells us.  “Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.  In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.  Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.”

Several times in the Old Testament, Most notably in Isaiah and Joel, God had warned that the would send people  speaking other languages in an attempt to turn the Jews back to God, but they would not listen any more than they did to the Jewish prophets.   Acts 2:5-12 describes on situation in which this prophecy was fuflfiied, with every person hearing the messages in their native language.  “And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.  Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.  And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?

And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?  Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,  Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.  And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

Clearly the gift of tongues was given as a sign to reach people who were not Christians.   Those who already believe do not require some special sign to convince them of God’s power.  They will be satisfied to know what God has said, but those who do not believe will not.  As we saw in I John 4:6, “We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us.”   The gift of tongues only matters to those who do not trust God and need constant reminders and reassurance of his power. 

Gifts Of The Spirit V

I Corinthians 12:31 instructs, “But covet earnestly the best gifts…”  As we have seen, every part of the body is important because of the particular function it plays.  In the same way, every gift of the Spirit is important in the church.    The body can function without the tonsils, although somewhat less efficiently, and there are some gifts the church can function without.  Other gifts are like the heart or lungs, essential if the church is to be able to survive on its own.  Paul is saying these are the gifts we need to be most concerned about. 

In I Corinthians 13, He pointed out that without love, or charity, the gifts of the Spirit are worthless, so in I Corinthians 14:1-4 he points out why one is more important and essential than another.  “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.  For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.  But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.  He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.” 

In modern language, the word “prophesy” is nearly always used in reference to foretelling the future.  The biblical usage had a much broader meaning, referring to telling people what God said, whether about the future, or about something teaching God wanted them to know.  The gift of prophecy was a special ability to receive a message directly from God which was to be shared with the other people.   When the scriptures were complete, those special messages were not necessary.  Teachers can fulfill the responsibilities of the prophet in our day because they have God’s word to teach from.  As a result, I Corinthians 13:8-10 tells us, “Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.”

When Paul wrote that the scriptures were not yet complete, so prophecy was still a necessary gift.  Because there was such a variety of languages, the ability to speak in tongues was also necessary, but Paul says the gift of prophecy, of telling people what God wanted is more important because tongues were only of benefit to people who understood them, whereas prophecy could strengthen everyone that heard it.  Tongues would only build up or strengthen other Christians if they understood them so they were worthless unless they were interpreted, as he explains I Corinthians 14:5-11.

“I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.  Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?  For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?  So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.  There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.  Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. “ (I Corinthians 14:5-11)

If people do not understand what is being said, it is just meaningless noise.  They may legitimately think the church is insane for putting up with such confusion.  On the other hand, even a bugle or musical instrument, can convey a message if played in a recognizable pattern.  If we are to have an impact on others, they have to understand what is said. So Paul says it would be better for the church if they taught what God wanted than if they spoke in tongues.  

Gifts Of The Spirit IV

But now are they many members, yet but one body.   And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.   Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.  For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.  And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.” (I Corinthians 12:20-26)

A few years ago, doctors routinely removed children’s tonsils because they so often became infected.  They were shocked to find that those who had their tonsils removed were more susceptible to various diseases.  They discovered that the tonsils were the first line of defense against certain diseases.  Especially during the depression children didn’t get adequate nutrition, and immigration and trade policies allowed them to be exposed to more pathogens than they could handle in a malnourished state.   When they were properly nourished the tonsils protected the children from disease. 

Frequently, in the church there is a person who doesn’t seem to contribute very much, but they may be praying or encouraging others in ways we aren’t aware of.  If they are hurt or ignored the entire church will suffer, even though they don’t realize why.  Every member of the church plays a vital role in the church’s health.  We need to learn to have equal concern for the little old man or woman who can’t do much as for the youth or the church leadership.  They are all part of the body. 

“Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.  And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” (I Corinthians 12:27-28)

When God started the churches, he started with the apostles, who laid the basic foundation and wrote out what they had been taught by Christ.  He gave them special gifts such as healing, miracles, and speaking in tongues as a means of convincing people they were actually messengers from God.  Paul referred to those gifts as signs or proofs of apostleship in II Corinthians 12:12. “Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.”   When the apostles were no longer present these gifts disappeared as well.

Because the scriptures were not yet complete and people were not familiar with how a church should run, God gave certain men a gift of prophecy so they could tell people about things that had not yet been addressed.  Once the scriptures were complete and the principles established, this gift would cease as well.  John and Matthew were written very early, apparently before about 37 AD.  As persecution began to grow in 37 AD, the Christians were forced to scatter, taking copies of John and Matthew with them.  The Holy Spirit gave certain men a special gift for teaching so they could explain the scriptures to the people in the different communities. 

The people in these other communities still had the same needs as those in Jerusalem, and the gifts of healing or miracles were still common in the churches, although only the apostles are described as having them later in Acts.     In addition the Holy Spirit gifted certain men with abilities to help people physically, emotionally, and financially.  As the churches grew there was a need for people to administer or govern the church and some people were gifted in that area.  As they moved into gentile communities and began to reach out to them, the need for people who could speak the different languages grew and some were given special gifts for speaking different languages. 

“Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?  Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?  But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.” (I Corinthians 12:29-31)

Even in that day, there was no need for everyone to have the same gifts.   Only 12 were chosen as apostles.  Not everyone had a gift for teaching, or for healing or speaking in tongues.    Some gifts were more important and desirable than others, and as we saw in the first post on Spiritual gifts, the fruit of the Spirit is far more important than any of the gifts.  Without it the gifts are worthless.   

Gifts Of The Spirit III

In the previous post we saw that the Holy Spirit does not give everyone the same spiritual gifts, but gives each person the gifts he chooses for the benefit of the entire church.  It is crucial we understand this point or we may well begin to believe, like many do that a person is not really saved and doesn’t have the Holy Spirit unless they have a certain gift such as speaking in tongues.  Paul explains why not everyone gets the same gifts. 

“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.  For the body is not one member, but many.” (I Corinthians 12:12-14)

The church is the body of Christ, and like the human body, there are numerous parts, each performing a certain function.    In order to perform the different functions they have different abilities or gifts.  For example the heart pumps the blood that carries the nutrients throughout the body, and removes the waste from the cells.  Since it is inside the body it has no need for the ability to see, but has a special ability to keep pumping continuously for a lifetime.  The cells necessary to see would interfere with its ability to pump the blood.  Similarly, if the eye had muscles like the heart muscle that constantly contract, it would be very hard to see things.  In the same way, Gifts that person doesn’t need to perform his function in the church may prove to be distraction and interfere with his ability to do his job, so the Holy Spirit does not give them. 

Sometimes in the church, people get jealous because they want to do a different job and feel like they are not part of the church.    I Corinthians 12:15-21 addresses this problem.   “If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?  And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?  If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?  But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.  And if they were all one member, where were the body?  But now are they many members, yet but one body.   And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

 “

Just imagine what would happen if a person’s foot decided that if it couldn’t be his hand instead, it just wouldn’t do anything or act as part of his body, or if the ear decided to not to be part unless it was given the job of seeing.  While a person can learn to do almost everything with his feet that he can do with his hands, everything is much more difficult, and some are almost impossible, and since the foot refuses to be part the person will be unable to walk normally.  Even if it got the job, the ear could never do the eye’s job because it doesn’t have the necessary abilities, but by refusing to do its proper job it would leave the person deaf.    

Without a heart to pump blood to it. a digestive system to get the nourishment from the food, or feet to carry it to where food is available an eye could not survive and the ability to see would be worthless.  In the same way, a church where everyone had the same gifts or are competing to do the same jobs cannot function as a church and will probably not survive very long.  God has put each person in the church where he wanted them, giving them the gifts they need to do the job he has given them.   They need to focus on doing that job to the best of their ability instead of looking to obtain a more prestigious job or expand their ministry. 

At the same time, those in the more prestigious jobs need to understand they could not do their job without the others doing their job any more than an eye could survive or function without The efforts of those who do the less visible and prestigious jobs.  God has placed every person in the church as it has pleased him and we have no right or authority to dismiss them or eject them from the church just because they don’t go along with the way we want them.    

Many of the attitudes and actions we see in modern churches are clear indications of a carnal, unspiritual state.  The constant focus by many to attain a more prestigious position or pastorate.   Efforts to drive out or eliminate those who resist change or don’t care for particular style of music or service indicate the same thing.  Insisting that everyone must have the gift of speaking in tongues indicates an ignorance about the Holy Spirit’s working., as does insisting that other groups are wrong for having a different organizational structure or way of doing things.  

Gifts Of The Spirit II

Most of the time in modern churches talk about gifts of the Spirit focuses on four main areas, prophecy, miracles, healing, and speaking in tongues, probably because they seem more exciting.  As we saw in the previous post, the gifts were given to meet a special need and disappear when they are no longer needed.  As Paul pointed out, once the scriptures were complete, the need for a prophet to get a special message from God was no longer as necessary.   If everyone in the church speaks the same language,  the ability to speak in other languages as they did in Acts 2 is far less important.  I Corinthians 12-14 were written to help us get a proper understanding of the spiritual gifts, as verse 1 tells us. 

“Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.   Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.  Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.” (I Corinthians 12:1-3)

The Corinthians were gentile people who had been taught false doctrines about a lot of different gods.  Since Christianity was new to them they would tend to to carry over some of those false doctrines and attitudes for a while because they simply didn’t understand the difference, and this was true of their attitudes toward spiritual gifts.  In order to determine whether a gift was truly from the Holy Spirit or not it would be necessary to try the Spirits as we saw in I John 4.  A Chinese Christian visiting a church in America heard a man who claimed to have the gift of tongues cursing Christ and accusing him of being a fraud in fluent Mandarin Chinese, but because no one understood what he was saying, no one questioned whether it was from God or not.  The Chinese man was quite concerned.   In chapter 14 we will see some guidelines to prevent such things from happening.  First we start with some basic principles about the gifts. 

“Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.  And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.  And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.  But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” (I Corinthians 12:4-7)

The first thing we need to realize is that the Holy Spirit doesn’t do everything the same way every time.   He does not give everybody the same gifts.   A person can have the Holy Spirit without speaking in tongues for example.   The Holy Spirit may lead one church to have a single pastor and another to have several elders.   One group may be led to support missionaries individually while another may use a cooperative program.  One pastor may earn his doctorate while another never goes to college.  The Holy Spirit can do different things in different people.  He is still the same Holy Spirit.  Looking down on someone who has different gifts or does things a different way only demonstrates our lack of spiritual maturity. 

“For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” (I Corinthians 12:8-11)

One person may have a gift or talent for helping people to make wise decisions, while another has a special gift for learning important facts.  A third person has a much greater level of faith while someone else has a gift for healing people or doing various miracles.  One may have a special gift for recognizing whether something is from the Holy Spirit or some other spirit while another may have a gift for speaking different languages.  Still another may have a gift for interpreting from one language to another effectively.  The Holy Spirit gives each person the gifts he wants them to have for the benefit of the entire church.  They are not intended to be used to enhance our own prestige or make us rich. 

In Samaria there had been a religious teacher named Simon who had gained great wealth and influence through his activities.  When he accepted Christ he wanted the same kind of power and prestige in the church   Acts 8:18-23 tells the story.  “And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.  Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.  Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.  For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.”  The very fact that Simon was concerned about being able to make a lot of money or gain such respect in the church indicated he was not led by the Holy Spirit, but was being directed by an evil spirit.  Unfortunately many use their gifts and talents to benefit themselves rather than to strengthen other Christians.     

Gifts Of The Spirit I

The Holy Spirit produces fruit in every person who receives him, and as we saw in Romans 8:9, that is true for every Christian.  How much fruit is produced is limited only by our willingness to study the scriptures and allow him to change our attitudes and behavior.   Unfortunately, most people are more concerned about the special gifts or abilities the Holy Spirit gives.  This had become a major problem in Paul’s day and continues to the present time, with the result he devoted three chapters of I Corinthians to the subject, explaining what the different gifts are, how they are received, and the guidelines for their use.    I would like to start with I Corinthians 13.     

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” (I Corinthians 13:1-3)

Paul states that without the agape love that is the first part to the fruit of the Spirit, none of the gifts are of any value.  No matter how many different languages a person may be able to speak, both human and unknown languages, without the fruit of the Spirit, they are just meaningless noise, like pounding a sheet of tin or slamming cymbals together.  In its proper place, speaking in tongues can add a great deal to the music, but improperly used it just messes up and distracts from everything else. 

Similarly, the ability to preach, to tell what God says, regardless how many degrees one has or how perfectly one understands the scriptures, is completely useless and meaningless without the fruit of the Spirit, and especially charity or love.  The hearers may learn a lot, but no spiritual change will occur.  People’s faith will be based on Human wisdom rather than the power of God, as Paul said in I Corinthians 2:4-5. 

Finally, Paul points that without the love that the Holy Spirit produces, all our efforts to please him will be wasted.  We can give to feed and help the refugees until we starve ourselves, or serve in some humanitarian effort, even being killed for our effort and without the Holy Spirit working in us, it will not benefit us at all.  As Jesus said in Matthew 7:22-23, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?   And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. “  

The love the holy Spirit produces is different than the love the world expresses.  I Corinthians 13:4-7 describes what that kingd of love is like.  “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”   That spiritual love is only concerned about what is good for others.  It doesn’t manipulate people or take advantage of them, nor does it destroy their self-respect.   It doesn’t look down on people, but at the same time it is honest about what they are really like, and is willing to put up with some inconvenience, hoping for something better in the future.  It is not blind idealism like much of what is charity today, but is concerned that helping one group does not hurt another.  It is key to producing all the other parts of the fruit.   

“Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.  When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.  And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” (I Corinthians 13:8-13)

All of the gifts are given to fulfill a temporary need.  When they are no longer needed they will disappear.  The fruit of the Spirit on the hand, will remain as long as the earth continues.  They will never lose their power.  The focus on the gifts implies a spiritual immaturity.  It’s kind of like playing in the shade the tree produces, but not bothering to water the tree or protect it from gophers or harmful insects.  If we take care of the tree it will provide the shade as well as the fruit, but if not we may not have either shade or fruit. .  

While all the parts of an apple are important, the most valuable part is the flesh, the part you eat.  Similarly, all the parts of the fruit of the Spirit are important but the most important part is the agape love or charity.  

Spiritual Freedom

Many today feel that Christianity is very restrictive and demanding.  They find statements sucha s Galatians 5:19-21 intimidating.  “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”   Numerous groups have adopted very strict codes of conduct  to ensure their people act like Christians. 

This appears as a direct contradiction with what II Corinthians 3:17 tells us and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”   Galatians 5:18 said, “But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.”  The conflict is a result of trying to be good enough to deserve ones salvation by fleshly means.   Paul addressed this problem in Galatians 3:2-3.  “This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?  Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?”  We will never attain an acceptable lifestyle by following a set of rules. 

Romans 8:1-11 tells us that that will only come as result of allowing the Holy Spirit to control our life.  “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.  And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.  But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you” 

Instead of constantly struggling to do the right things, the Holy spirit will guide us, making it far easier to do what is right.  We do not need those codes of conduct.   This does not mean we are free to go and do whatever we feel like doing.   I Corinthians 6:12 tells us, “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”  A Christian will not lose his salvation or go to hell for doing those things, but some things are not beneficial to him.  Some activities are typical of those who do not believe in god and cast doubt on the reality of his salvation.  Others tend to take over one’s life and interfere with his spiritual life.  While we ought to avoid such activities, we do not need to fear making a mistake, knowing God is a forgiving God.    As Galatians 5:13 says, “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”  We have the freedom to commit things that are sin, but love should constrain us not to do things that hurt others, and the love is a result of the Holy Spirit producing fruit in the Christian’s life.

Before accepting Christ, we were slaves to sin and could not choose whether to do right or wrong.  Even our efforts to do good were for wrong motives, so that nothing was truly good.  With the Holy Spirit in our lives we now have the freedom to choose whether to do right or wrong.  Romans 6;20-22 explains.  “For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.   What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.  But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”  We do what is right because we choose to, not because we have to.  

The Fruit Of The Spirit

In a previous post we talked about how that a person who had truly received the Holy Spirit and been saved would not be content in a sinful life style.  Today we come back and see why that is true.  Galatians 5:16-18 Informs us that victory over sin and the flesh will not be a problem for those who follow the Holy Spirit’s leadership.  “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.   For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.  But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.” 

There are certain things that clearly indicate a person has not been saved and does not have the Holy Spirit, as Galatians 5:19-21 clearly states.  “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” 

While many people have no problem believing murder, adultery and other sexual sins such as rape, or homosexuality or drunkenness are signs that a person is not a Christian, they tend to consider things such as jealousy, competition, hatred, a dirty mind, or arguing as being acceptable, when in fact, they indicate a person is not walking in the Spirit and may not be saved.  All these things are the result of an improper heart attitude, and Matthew 15:18-20 tells us.  “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:  These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.”

To walk in the Spirit and get victory over sin it will be necessary to allow the Holy Spirit to produce a new attitude or spirit of mind in us, as Ephesians 4:22-24 says.  “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”  Changes in attitude result in major changes in what we do. 

Galatians 5:22-23 describes the new attitudes the Holy Spirit produces.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”   One of the things that the Holy Spirit changes is our attitude toward other people.  His gives us that conscious choice to care about them even when they treat us badly, the agape love or charity described in I Corinthians 13:4-7. He produces an attitude of joy, of enjoyment in our daily life.  Joy is accompanied by and depends on an attitude of peace, of not being constantly upset or worried about what is happening around us.  Peace is a result of an attitude of faith, that God is in control and that he will make everything turn out the way it should for our good as promised in Romans 8:28. 

When we are living in peace joy and faith, we can deal with setbacks and conflicts without much difficulty, and depression or despair will not be a problem.  Because we love them and are not upset about the things that are going on, we can be gentle to people going out of our way to avoid saying or doing things that hurt them.  This will result in  an attitude of meekness, putting other people’s needs and desires ahead of one’s own.  With a proper attitude toward the people and things around us, treating other people right comes naturally, so that we don’t have to spend a lot of time trying to decide what the right thing to do would be.  The ability to control oneself ceases to be a problem because one is not upset and worried.   All of the parts of the fruit of the Spirit are interconnected and depend on each other just like the parts of any other fruit.  An apple tree doesn’t just produce seeds and the Holy Spirit doesn’t just produce love, for example.  Both of them produce complete fruit.    

Romans 6 makes the point t5hat we are dead to sin but alive to God through the Spirit.  Since that is true, we need to learn to walk or live in a fashion befitting a person who has the Holy spirit as his guide, as Galatians 5;24-26 directs.  “And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.  Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”  We ought not be jealous of each other or stirring up conflict and trying to get the advantage.  

Trying The Spirits III

As we saw in the previous test, the focus and who is interested wasan important indicator whether a thing is directed by the Holy Spirit.  This next one is similar.  I John 4:6 says, “We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.”  Here, John is speaking specifically of hearing what the apostles and Prophets said.   II Peter 3:1-2 makes the same point of paying attention to the Apostles and prophets.  “This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour.”

II Peter 1:19-21 declares, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.   For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”  The apostles and prophets spoke as they were directed by the Holy Spirit, and no one has the right to make up thri own doctrine or interpret what they said to satisfy their own agenda.    If a person will not accept what the scriptures teach it is a clear proof that he is not led by the spirit that directed writing them.  Spirit led people, on the other hand will be focused on what the scriptures say.

II Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”   Many theologians and preachers have taught that only part of the scriptures are from God or is relevant today.  Such a belief clearly indicates they are not inspired by the Holy Spirit, regardless how many degrees they may have or how popular their teachings may be.    

I John 4:7-8 gives the final test.   “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.   He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”  The word translated ‘love’ is άγαπαω (agapao).  It refers to a deliberate choice to care deeply for a person, as compared to a mere emotional feeling toward them.  It is the kind of love God demonstrated  as Romans 5:8-10 describes.  “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.   Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.   For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”  Even though we were his enemies, Christ died for our sins because he loved us. 

Such love is not dependent on people doing what the person wants, and is not selfish or manipulative.  It is willing to sacrifice its own convenience or pleasure for those who are loved.   The evangelist who demands that people give him all their money or the preacher who spends all his time attacking those who do not do things as he thinks they should clearly indicates they are not being led by the Holy Spirit.  They are only concerned with themselves. 

Satan is a liar and his followers are deceptive.   They may be able to fool us in some areas, but by applying all the tests we can tell whether they are of God or not.  We are responsible to obey God, and so it is important we check out those who purport to tell us what God commands.  I Corinthians 14:29 commands, “Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.”  Acts 17:11 tells us the Bereans were greater Christians because “they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”  Don’t just blindly accept what people tell you. 

Trying The Spirits II

The second test for whether a message is inspired by the Holy Spirit is an examination of the life style of the messenger.  I John 4:4 states, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”   The Holy Spirit gived his people deliverance from the power of sin as I Corinthians 6:9-11 shows us.  “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.   And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”

I John 3:5-9 is very specific that a person who lives a sinful lifestyle is not inspired by the Holy Spirit.  “And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.  Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.  Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.  He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.  Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”

  

The third test is of the subject matter andf who it appeals to.  I John 4:5 says, “They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.”    While they are important, things such as financial success, drug or alcohol addiction, physical or psychological health , and political affairs are of the world.  and should not be of primary concern to Christians.  Matthew 6:31-33 says, “ Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?   (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.   But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”   These things are things everyone is searching for and God knows we need them.   We don’t usually need some special spiritual instructions about them. 

Because they are things the world is concerned about, the world will flock to get advice about them.   People flocking to hear the messages is a clear warning the message may not be of God.  The world does not want to hear what God says, as John 15:19-21 tells us.   “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.   Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.   But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.”

To know if a program or message is of God we need first to look at the things it focuses on,   If the focus is just on making things better here on earth, it isn’t from the Holy Spirit, even though they may be good things.  Secondly, if it drawing large numbers of people we need to examine the composition of these crowds carefully.  Using these tests, many motivational speakers, seminars and religious programs are not inspired by the Holy Spirit.  Clearly a mega church that brags anyone can attend and be happy there is not a spiritual church.  Ungodly people will not be happy in a place where God is the focus.  They will either change or leave.  

Trying the Spirits I

While every Christian has the Holy Spirit, not everyone who claims to be a Christian really is, and many of those who are Christians are not following the Spirit.  As a result we see conflicts and contradictions in the teachings and actions of different groups.   We need a way of discerning which are being led by the Holy Spirit and which are from some other source.   I John 4:1-8 gives some important guidelines for discerning which is of God and which is not.    

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” (I John 4:1)

Just because an idea popped into yoru head or you feel a compulsion to do a certain thing, or a pastor or prophet tells you to do a certain thing does not mean it is the Holy Spirit directing you.  We are to test the spirit to see whether it from God or not because other spirits have caused many to become false teachers and prophets.  II Corinthians 11:13-15 warns: ”For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.   And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”    Satan passes himself off as an angel from god so it should not surprise us that satanic spirits and false teachers pose as being from God.  Fortunately there are several ways to tell whether they are from God or not.    

The first thing to look for is what do they teach about Jesus Christ.  I John 4:2-3 states, “Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”

There are two crucial elements in this statement.   First they must recognize that Jesus is in fact God, the creator of the world.   Hebrews 1:8-12 states, “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.  Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.  And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.” 

Although he is God, he came to earth as a true human, experiencing human life just as other humans experienced it, from birth to death.  Hebrews 2:14-16 tells us, “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.  For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.”    This was crucial if he was to be the Messiah, the Savior of the world.   Hebrews 4:14-15 states,  “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

Jesus could not be Messiah if he were not God come in the flesh.  Refusing to accept Jesus as go in the flesh rejects him as the Messiah.  I John 2:22-23 tells us, “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.  Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.”  Any teacher or group that refuses to acknowledge Jesus as God is not of God, no matter how much they may use God’s name.   He is not just a great teacher, or a good moral man, or a brother to Satan.  He is God. 

Anyone who preaches anything else is preaching another jesus and is lead by a different spirit.  In I Corinthians 11:3-4 Paul voiced a serious concern.  “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.  For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.”  They might well be led away from the truth by the an ungodly spirit.  To avoid that, Galatians 1:8-9 commands, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” 

If they preach that there is another way of salvation than through Jesus Christ as the messiah we are to consider them as being from Satan, even if they claim to be an angel from heaven or one of the apostles. 

Please understand this is only the first test.   There are others.