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The Spirit of Truth
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“We can still hear form God today.” said Pastor Jeff. I think this is true. Obviously the primary means through which hear from God is the written Word of God. The Holy Spirit can work in and through our reading giving us, guiding us, into truth that is pertinent to any situation particularly in the realm of counseling.
I also think, as was said, that the Lord may speak to you in a more personal way but never in a way that would contradict Scripture. When I say personal way I would qualify that by an impression, a feeling, a still small voice or whatever else you want to call it. I often look for the Lord to confirm it on the other end in this realm. When I hear something in this way I want to see the fruit that it bears on the other end. For example, if the Lord tells me to tell someone else something and doesn’t use His Word to do so but rather there is an impression, feeling or still small voice I am looking to see what the fruit of it is the life of the person that I said it to. Was it good fruit? This gives me an assurance that it was the Holy Spirit working in the situation.
Jason, I agree the working of the Holy Spirit will be evident in one’s life as in Galatians 5:22-26. Love is the first one listed as fruit of the Spirit in one’s life yet it’s the most difficult. That’s why assembling together is so important. We are able to get to know each other and see the fruit in each other’s lives. It also helps to keep each other accountable to be in God’s Word. Thank you for your input.
I must be sheltered; I know nothing about distorted teachings of the Spirit. Though, I am glad it’s come to my attention as something to watch out for. Regarding the message, what was repeated to me was: The Holy Spirit guides and counsels, and I can be filled with the Holy Spirit to know God’s will and to receive understanding of God’s word. I know that without the Holy Spirit revealing the Truth of God’s Word to me, I wouldn’t have any understanding of the Scriptures. I am thankful that the Lord has revealed His great Love and Instruction to me through His Word, by the work of the Holy Spirit. It will always be confirmed to me that there is no separation of the Word and the Spirit in order to know God and His will for me. I have experienced the liberating power of the Spirit of Truth, as I get lost so easily, His Word always tells me where to go and The Spirit reminds me of these Scriptures. My take away is this: If we are to be sanctified/transformed by God’s Word, it is through His Holy Spirit that we are guided into that Truth.
I do agree with you it is through the Holy Spirit we are guided to truth. I know for me before I even start my studying or getting into the Word or anything i always invite the Holy Spirit to guide me, direct me, and give me knowledge into what I am going to study. Some times things get distorted when we start relying on self totally overlooking the Holy Spirit. and the guidance he is giving us.
Pastor Jeff’s clarification of John 16:13 is very helpful. Defending the interpretation of the Holy Spirit’s work still present today gives me a foundation to justify the biblical counseling framework I am learning and using. In the context of the upper room, Jesus was saying that the Holy Spirit would lead all disciples (not just the apostles who authored books) into truth. In counseling, this means a lot to me because I can trust that the Spirit is guiding people into truth and sanctification. This sort of relieves the burden from my shoulders when I offer counsel and feel that I have to get someone to understand or else I have failed. If the Holy Spirit isn’t speaking through me and isn’t guiding along the person I am counseling, then there really isn’t any true counseling going on. Like Pastor Jeff says, the Spirit is the one who illuminates. Sometimes, we will take credit when we gain understanding of a spiritual thing, and then we will continue to take credit and eventually not even recognize or thank the Holy Spirit for helping us. I have to continue to be dependent on the the Spirit of Truth and to be thankful for all the illumination He gives to me.
I personally never realized how people interpreted this passage has an “Only the Early Church” promise; it is a promise to us who believe, and I rejoice in the fact that Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit of Truth to fill us today!
I thank you for the reminder to counsel WITH the Spirit and to be aware and recognize when the Spirit of Truth is there or not there when counseling. I think I get over zealous and don’t often realize where the Spirit is or is not when I counsel people. I have been reminded again and again to depend only on God and His Spirit in all things, and I am also thankful for His Spirit that has revealed Truth to me. Thank you for sharing!
In the tenth grade my Bible teacher was very sensitive to any mention of, not only the Holy Spirit, as Jeff was saying, but also of the Bible. He wanted to make sure that we did not worship the Bible but the one who wrote it. Because of this, he would treat the book with extreme disrespect. He would throw them around the classroom, drop them on the floor, etc… They were so worn and ripped up with all the abuse and it troubled my spirit deeply. God told me to talk to him about how we should treat God’s word. I had known kids in the public school to kiss their Bible every morning out of respect, but never pick it up to read it or go to church that they might understand it, so I knew the danger of worshiping the book itself. However, this was a Christian school where the kids knew better than to behave that way. If anything, they needed to learn to respect the words that thousands had sacrificed their lives for. I extremely dislike confrontation so it was weeks before the pressure God put on me to speak to him became to great to live with. He realized he was in the wrong and changed the habits immediately. As Jeff said, we must be careful not to swing to far to one side or the other, but we must also be willing to correct and guide those who are off balance. Fear is the thing I hate most in life because I believe it to be the number one tool Satan uses to keep us from doing Gods will. Do not allow those God calls us to love live in ignorance of the truth God gave us through His word. But once they are told, what they chose to do with that information is between them and God. Just make sure you are being guided my the Holy Spirit when you go to correct, because He is the only one who can truly change their hearts and minds for the better.
Thank you Abigail for sharing. I too do not like confrontation and have also avoided it even when God has told me to confront someone. It is important, like you said, to make sure the Holy Spirit is guiding you. There is a clear difference between correcting someone in love or confronting someone in anger. I recently had to confront someone and it did not go the way I wanted it to go, but God still used it to soften their heart and mine.
” For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.” 1 Corinthians 14:33. There is peace know that God is the author of the truth because He is the truth, the way, and the life.
In church as Prof. Christianson said, there are two extreme where they do not believe the work of the Holy Spirit or they are hyper focus on the the Holy Spirit. But are lacking the foundation of the truth of Jesus.
The Holy Spirit when counseling will remind and help us to the truth of God. I love the fact the Holy Spirit will never stray us away from the truth of God. I love how he mention the flesh because will only lead to worldly wisdom and not from God.
1 Corinthians 14:33 is always so comforting to me. There is peace in knowing the truth, specifically the truth of God’s word. I know many people who claim that truth is relative and they are always anxious or worried about something. They have no foundation like the parable of the wise and foolish man in Matthew 7:24-27. The wise man who built his house upon the rock was able to have peace in the storm because he had a firm foundation.
Thanks for another great pod cast Pastor Jeff, thanks for sharing on the Holy Spirit and the importance of it in counseling. How we need to have it on both ends the giving of the counsel and the receiving of the counsel. The Holy Spirit speaks truth to us on both ends and guides us and also disciplines us, To many times you see where people get to comfortable with the things they talk on and they tend to try and take the Holy Spirit out of the equation and rely on themselves to give counsel, and sometimes the one being counseled thinks they’ve heard it all and they know the answers and they tend to take the Holy Spirit out of the equation. It is easy to give the devil a foothold just by trying to rely on self. It’s very important to always remember to look to the Holy Spirit for guidance.
Oh man, you’re right on with your comment. I think it’s so easy to focus just on being the one giving counsel and neglect the need for the Spirit to receive counsel. I completely agree with you about how easily we can think we’ve heard it all and know the answer already. Definitely a tactic for an adversary to take advantage of. Thank you for that reminder!
The Holy Spirit is meant to glorify God alone and man should never use the Spirit to glorify himself. I am a continuationist and there have been several times the Holy Spirit has spoken to me outside of the Bible. One time was a warning I was going to fall onstage. I did not want to fall but God used it to glorify Himself and lead someone in the audience to a relationship with Christ.
I also like how Pastor Jeff said it is important to remember that the Bible is not just a book to be read by itself; the Spirit of truth is meant to guide us through the book of God’s truth. I had a conversation with my agnostic grandfather when I was about 12 years old, and he said he had read the Bible multiple times and it made no sense to him, I found this odd at the time. There are many passages I didn’t understand yet but I understood the basic message. Now it is obvious to me that he was relying on his own understanding instead of letting the Holy Spirit guide him.
Hey Rebekah! I’m with you in the continuationist camp for sure. I like the examples you gave here as well. I’m sure that dynamic with your grandfather was a difficult one, and I have navigated some of that as well with family I love dearly. I’m encouraged by seeing this podcast’s truth in your life. Thank you for sharing.
These are great examples Rebekah! It is fascinating how one can read the words in the Bible, yet it never truly makes the impact that is meant to make. Your grandfather didn’t have the Spirit of Truth to sanctify him and teach him what the words truly mean. I definitely see in my own life where the Spirit has simply illuminated certain teachings that have lasted with me up until today. Apart from the Spirit’s power, I am sure I wouldn’t be understanding any of things. My stubborn self is learning each day to be more reliant upon the Spirit and not my own intellect.
“Charismaniac” teachings aired on T.V in the 80’s is one of things that kept my family away from the Christian faith when I was little. I really wish it hadn’t. I could have been raised with the liberating truth of the Word of God, and I could have raised my children with that same truth. My grandmother was a very faith driven woman, however her faith was not based on the truth of God but instead in the traditions passed down by her own family, later passed down to my mother then me. All traditions that did not point to Jesus. The abuse and misguided teaching of the Holy Spirit affected us for 3 generations. In my teens there sparked a curiosity to read the bible, I started in Genesis in a King James version that I did not understand one bit so a few times I put the bible away not understanding it one bit. God was calling me since then and though I tried on my own, not having a person to counsel me in truth and not knowing what the Holy Spirit did, I walked away empty and confused. I am grateful that God never gave up on me and thanks to that 2 of those generations are now being guided by the liberating truth of the word God.
The goosebumps, the excitement and the tear pouring passionate worship is just some of the feelings the Holy Spirit provokes in me, and I’m grateful for each one of them. But above all I love his guidance. I could not live a day without it. I am dependent on it to guide me through my own life, and guide me in the counsel of others. Thank you Pastor Jeff, amazing as usual.
Erica, thank you for sharing your experience. I think some church in the Charismatic Movement abuse the Holy Spirit in a form of manipulation. They press in to their flesh to give a person a word. Thank God of His discernment that tells us the truth.
Pastor Jeff excellent point on touching the issue of obtaining too much expertise in an area in which we then become self-reliant instead of being dependent upon the Holy Spirit. If we are relying upon the Holy Spirit to assist us in our Christian walk, whatever we do, we do it for the glory of God. We study God’s word in order for the Holy Spirit to bring all things back to reembrace when needed. We study God’s word to know the truth and share the truth. We study God’s word to seek comfort and peace through it. All this is accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit. The power of the church comes from the Holy Spirit not of man or self. The danger is when we take our eyes off Jesus and put them upon ourselves. It’s like on the phone you can hit a button to flip the lens around to take a selfie, Hebrews 12:1-2.
Have we collectively as the church become more self-reliant upon our intellect, wisdom and knowledge, and strength instead of the Holy Spirit? Once we start to drift away from total reliance upon The Holy Spirit, there is danger lurking in the shadows. If we are not relying on the Holy Spirit, who, and what are we relying upon? When we think we have arrived, we become our All in All instead of Jesus being our All in All. There is a problem. Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. And James 4:6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” It is only through Jesus living inside of me that I can do anything. Self-Reliance begins our sinking processing when we take our eyes off of Jesus; Peter is an example of that when he walked on water. I must never forget the gutter the Lord Jesus pulled me out of.
Could it be why the church seems to be in such a weaken state today, allowing the world to infiltrate the church? Have we, the church, swung so far from the center, we no longer rely upon the power, guidance, strength, wisdom, knowledge, and, most importantly, the truth of the Holy Spirit? Yes, there has been abuse; however, should we allow that to stop us in our tracks from being reliant upon the Holy Spirit? Acts 8:18-19 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Peter rebuked him and the church moved on.
The early church’s power is found in the Book of Acts; three things were the main focus, the Power of the Holy Spirit, Unity, and Prayer. Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?
I like your mention of Paul’s statement that there was no good thing within his flesh. I think that verse pairs well with Pastor Jeff’s teaching on the necessity of the Holy Spirit because it demonstrates how much we are in need of divine help. What good is our intellect if it is corrupted and futile? Doesn’t our flesh demonstrate our need of the Spirit’s guidance and illumination? I am reminded of certain church fathers who used their “sanctified imagination” to bring all sorts of strange allegorical interpretations into the body of Christ. God intended that we take His word literally and to rely upon His Spirit to lead us into deeper truths.
I learned a new word from today’s podcast, continuationist. It is a belief that the spiritual gifts have continued to the present age. The Holy Spirit is not limited or specifically for a time. He is alive and given to guide us into all truth and glorify God. Once again, we are given another role of the Holy Spirit and the importance of Him in all areas of counseling: in the counselor, in the preparation and in the time with the individual seeking counseling. The opposite would be to be led by the flesh and dependent on human wisdom. The work of the Holy Spirit is evident in the scriptures. It’s not based on feeling or an emotional experience.
I attended different churches prior to Calvary Chapels. In some of those churches, not all, were led by the Spirit. I didn’t understand and did not participate in those services. I did have some great biblical moments in those churches and have seen growth from that season of life, but I appreciate the knowledge of understanding the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Also the continuation of the Holy Spirit working in and through our lives today in many different ways. Today, I would call myself a continuationist. Thank you.
Melinda, I also have never heard that word before. Without the Holy Spirit filling us with power, instructing, leading and guiding us to see the truth of Jesus in God’s word, I don’t think I could make it in this chaotic crazy world. Excellent point you elaborate on relying upon the Holy Spirit in our preparation time, seeking the Lord through His word. If we are not relying upon the Holy Spirit then who and what are we dependent upon?
The Book of Acts is the history and beginning of the New Testament church. Through the book the main focus is on the Power of the Holy Spirit, Unity, and Prayer. I love Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. We are living in exciting times for sure, did you know Melinda there is no “Amen” at the end of the Book of Acts as in the other epistles? In my opinion, the gifts and power of the Holy Spirit are still continuing today, and God is adding to His church daily has He sees fit.
Same! I knew the two beliefs and that I was a continuationist, but I did not know the word for it. In fact, it looks like my spell checker doesn’t know the word either! Whelp, regardless of what it is called, it is simply the truth of God’s word and we should embrace this truth that we might learn about the Holy Spirit and its role in our life so that we will not live in ignorance or fear of it.
This was another great episode! Pastor Jeff stated, “The Holy Spirit is inseparable in Biblical Counseling. We need the illuminating, enlightening, and liberating ministry of the Holy Spirit.”
I can attest to the tendency of many to seek their own strength, rather than depending on the power of the Holy Spirit. I have been privy to a few different types of Charismatic churches, from those that acknowledged the Spirit to those that blamed all sorts of behavior on the Spirit. Today, I am glad to have a balanced view of the ministry of the Holy Spirit (neither cessationist nor charismania).
It is a shame that the abuses of the Spirit have led many to “double-down” on the Word of God as some sort of substitute for the Spirit. It often leads many, as it did me, into a mental striving to have the “right theology” and place too much emphasis on the strength of my biblical intelligence. Galatians 3:3, Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?
I am learning to admit my weakness more often because in doing so I seek out His resources and His Spirit instead of trusting in my own.
Hello David,
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” Romans 8:5
I love your point of having a balance view of the Holy Spirit. It’s a view of who God is. He is not a God of chaos or confusion but He is orderly and gives peace.
The main point Pastor Jeff made in this podcast is that the Holy Spirit is absolutely necessary in the counseling session. We must not separate the Holy Spirit from the work of giving and receiving counsel. It makes sense from the perspective of the enemy to do anything he can to separate the Holy Spirit from the work of counseling. In our context, because of the prolific abuses we have seen in regards to the work of the Holy Spirit, we are inclined to move quickly to the other extreme. I think that the enemy rejoices in it, as I’m sure his hand was involved in the abuses to begin with. Most of us do not want to be grouped in with the charismatic mania that we have seen, but we must be cautions not to move the pendulum to the other extreme and completely sideline the Holy Spirit as we disciple others and give and receive counsel.
One of the highlights for me from the podcast had to do with this idea that counseling is really discipleship, and is ultimately a means of sanctification. I don’t think that many of us in the church would ever consider the action of discipleship as something we could do without the Holy Spirit, but this is really what counseling is all about. We are trying to lead people in the truth in discipleship and certainly in counseling. Once we stop depending on the Holy Spirit, we must depend on our own experience and training. This is a recipe for failure. On one hand, I want to gain all the knowledge I can to be effective in counseling, on the other hand, I do not ever want to loose or even lessen my dependence on the work of the Holy Spirit in counseling, or any other area of life here on earth.
“On one hand, I want to gain all the knowledge I can to be effective in counseling, on the other hand, I do not ever want to lose or even lessen my dependence on the work of the Holy Spirit in counseling, or any other area of life here on earth.”
Kyle, I totally agree with your statements here. The fear of being labeled a maniac can be a powerful deterrent from relying on the power of His Holy Spirit. There is a particular theological persuasion (I will leave unnamed) that has championed this approach and in doing so, has placed immense weight upon the study of the inspired word without the Spirit that gave the inspiration. One abuse is no better than other abuses. It is the Spirit that gives life and that is precisely what our counselees need in order to be changed.
“One of the highlights for me from the podcast had to do with this idea that counseling is really discipleship, and is ultimately a means of sanctification.” – This has also been my main revelation since the beginning of my classes. I had NO IDEA that Counseling was so important as a field of ministry and discipleship! This is a great reminder for me, to know that I am not trying to “fix” someone’s issues, but to lead them into the knowledge and love of God. Thank you for sharing!
I have to be honest, for many years John 16:13 terrified me. The last part of the verse, “He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come” preyed on my mind. I was afraid of “what is to come”. While, I tried to run from God for a period of time, I knew He was pursuing me and would never leave me alone. On the other side of my ultimate submission of my life to God, the Holy Spirit’s pursuit is absolutely beautiful but I remember vividly God’s Word actively doing in the middle of my rebellion is what Hebrews 4:12 describes as “cutting between the soul and spirit, exposing our innermost thoughts and desires.” I had to submit my fear of whatever purpose God has for my life to the Lord. Also, if God prepares me for something that is going to happen sometime in the future, I am called to trust Him which is part of denying myself, taking up my cross daily and following Him.
Part of growing up under the weight of extreme legalism is that I experienced not a reverential fear of God but an utter terror of Him. God broke through that bondage by the Word of God and ministered to me through the Holy Spirit as I began to pursue God in His Word. I love how patient and faithful God is to grow us up in Him and to reveal false teachings and sins that need to be purged. Thank you Lord!
Hey Audra, thanks for sharing your heart. Your post reminds me of a time when I felt that God was calling me to pray for humility, and I was not about to fall for that one. I was certain that the moment I prayed that prayer, God would crush me. After fighting against God (which I don’t recommend) I submitted, and prayed for humility, and waited for His hand to come down and decimate me. The moment I prayed, I heard something from God, it was as if He was saying; “I am a Good Father”. It gave me immediate peace, and I don’t think I’ll ever forget that moment. As you said, we are called to trust Him, its just so good to know that He is good.
Thank you Kyle. I too do not recommend fighting against God. I have done so and while God used it for His Good and mine, it was exhausting and unnecessary.
I like to tell my kids, “you can do things the easy way or the hard way” and always, my stubborn nature (not submitted to the authority of God) comes to mind. So, I’m preaching to myself basically. 🙂
Extreme legalism, as you stated, leads to extreme views. You are absolutely right about the difference between reverential fear and utter terror of God. He wants us to revere Him and acknowledge Him, not run away in terror of what He will say or do. The exposing ability of the Word of God can be comforting or frightening depending on our willingness to submit to the Word. All in all, I am grateful for the witness of His Spirit and even the conviction that He brings me. It is a reminder that I am His and that He loves me even when I fall woefully short of the mark. He chastens those He loves and prunes us in order to bear more fruit.
“He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come” tormented me a little as well but for a different reason. It tormented me because I could not hear him (the way I assumed I would, like a audible clear voice). I wasn’t until I humbled myself, opened my spiritual ears and spiritual eyes that I began to recognize the revelations through His word, in the people He would use to speak into my life, even in my own children and husband. I have to really use discernment to filter everything and to not be the one the abuses it myself. I also thank God for revealing to false teachings by the liberating truth of His Holy Word. Thank you for sharing.
Audra; Praise the Lord for His faithfulness, 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Audra God is such a Good, Good Father to us, is love towards us is endless, that just blows my mind. I am so very happy for you that you submitted to Gods plan for your life, Jerimiah 29:11 For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
The more we are in His word the more the Holy Spirit can bring it back to remembrance when we need it. The bank teller studies the genuine currency in order to spot a counterfeit, so we are to hide His word in our hearts because satan always mixes in a bit of truth with his lies. Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. So, the more know of God’s word, the easier it is for the Holy Spirit to send up red flags concerning false teaching. Again, Praise God for His faithfulness.
In a world that relies so heavily on deceptions and lies, It is a great comfort to know that the Holy Spirit, sent to us as our teacher and helper, comes to us as the Spirit of Truth. He will always speak to us the things that God the Father wants us to hear. He will always lift up Christ. He always guides us into truth. John tells us that His truth will bring us liberty. I spent many years a secessionist, but now I am blessed to have Him speak so clearly about the things that I need direction on. I understand that the direction of the Holy Spirit must line up with, not contradict the clear teaching of the scripture. It is such a blessing to know that He dwells inside me and I can go to Him anytime I need help or guidance. Let God be true and every man a liar.(Rom. 3:4) We know that He will always be honest with us.
Hi Harry, it is very comforting knowing that we have a comforter and guide that will always fill us with peace. To know that we can have truth that directly comes from God the Father is beyond words. All we have to do is trust in Him and lean not on out own understanding. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
Hello Harry, yes that is such a great comfort to know that He is the Truth, and that He will never leave us. Its an important contrast that you made regarding the way the world is so full of lies. It makes sense, as the god of this wold is the father of lies (2 Cor. 4:4, John 8:44). It is comforting to me to know that God will not only be honest, but to know that He will never break His promises. There is great comfort in that certainty.
What a true statement, “a world that relies so heavily on deceptions and lies” , I feel like that those of us who now rely on His truth are the odd ones out, this shouldn’t be a surprise because the Word does say that “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,” 1 Timothy 4:1. Your comment reminds me to stay firm in what I teach those around me. I must teach by example to rely on the Truth of God and give the Holy Spirit the credit He deserves so m those around me can learn that they too have direct access to the God that lives in them, the great gift Jesus left us, the Holy Spirit.
Thanks for sharing your input on the pod cast, I agree it is of great comfort that we have a comforter and a helper who will always bring us peace, and direct us to truth. The way we can tell if its not coming from the Holy Spirit is it wont bring us peace and it wont speak of truth from the scriptures. Some days I have to sit and think about is what I’m being told speak of truth or is it just something from self reliance. The Holy Spirit will never lead us astray.
Once again this weeks podcast was awesome! It’s very encouraging hearing about the Spirit of truth and how we should be drawing near to Him for all truth and enlightenment. When Pastor Jeff spoke about how those in the church have chosen not to the use the word “counsel” in regards to their ministry was very sad to hear. I have alway been taught that Jesus is the wonderful counselor and through the guidance of the Holy Spirit we ourselves can counsel others in their time of need.
I do agree the church needs to be very cautious and discerning so that it does not lead to the abuse of the Holy Spirit. I have seen this abuse happen and it does not end well. Many lives are damaged to the point that they have left the church and the teaching of Jesus. If I’m truly disciple of Jesus I will live my life honoring and glorifying Jesus as it is written in the scriptures.
Michell, it is great to know that He will lead us into all truth. That means away from all error. As we grow in Christ we can learn to recognize His voice, as well as the enemy’s voice, and respond accordingly. His voice will always be encouraging and uplifting. Satan’s voice will always be negative and accusing. Thank God that we have this helper.
When the Holy Spirit is being abused, I think the Holy Spirit is often times not even present. Instead, the Holy Spirit is faked as being present that the person can get attention or be glorified. Paul says in the Bible that speaking in tongues is actually the least of the gifts God has given because it helps you become more intimate with Him, but does no one else but you any good.
One of the interesting dynamics in a conversation like this centering on Jesus’ revelation of His Spirit as the Spirit of Truth is the fact that our culture can’t even agree on what truth is. So much of what I experience in society and conversation today sounds like Pilate when he said to Jesus “What is truth”.
There is a baseline confusion, centered around how to validate what is true or not. Or sometimes if there is even such a thing as “not true” in so many people’s worldviews. It’s a self-defeating but widely accepted dynamic that complicates how people understand God, the Word, and definitely the Spirit. I think this has opened the door even wider to the emotionalism and extreme polarization even just within Christendom that is referenced in this podcast.
Can you imagine, Douglas, saying the words, “what is truth?” while standing there right in the presence of “the Truth”. Pilate missed the target standing right next to it. We can all do that at times in our own life. It is important to continually live in the Spirit, and also walk in the Spirit. The more we know Him the more we will recognize His voice.
Acts 26:28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” Harry, Some of the saddest words in the Bible.
You made me think of teenagers today and how much of a responsibility I have to disciple my teenage girls. They are in a time where everything is doubted, but what is real is how many likes, shares, follow or comment is validated as truth. I have had to have some serious conversations with them, that those things don’t make something true just popular. Also, that the word of God never changes. Thank you and Blessings.