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Old IVM Page AND YOU WILL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE." John 8:31-32 AMP Proverbs 29:18 AMP.

"So Jesus said to those... who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples. "Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish..." Inner Voice Ministries is an online Christian group offering daily devotions, inspirations, Bible studies and articles written by Christian writers and

also by me for all Christians, touching on how the Bible is relevant to our lives today. My aim is to engage, encourage, and equip all Christians worldwide, sharing the depth and transforming power of the Word of God as it permeates all spheres of life. It is my hope and prayer that, “Inner Voice Ministries” will become an international ministry, combining its resources with like minded ministries to eliminate the yokes of the enemy that have destroyed generations of children, families, and communities. Remember this Ministry is not mine but God has full reign here because we are nothing without him so this is His Ministry I am just a humble servant answering to the call of Salvation for the many that are lost and to those whose souls needs the complete saturation of the Holy Spirit in their lives. I invite you to join our circle of love for Christ as we grow together to tackle those very issues in life that we have to face on a daily basis. We hope to see you soon and may you be blessed as we grow together. COME AND LEARN WHO YOU TRULY ARE.

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26/03/2014

For the latest on the Deception in Churches Today series, visit and LIKE us in our New Page. Link provided below.

Helping the body of Christ to understand what they believe, why they believe it, how to live it.

25/03/2014

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I thank you all from my heart for supporting Inner Voice Ministries. Lately this page is giving some problems like not letting me to post or many are having difficulties in sharing. So I have started a new page, I hope and wish you will support me there too. Link provided below.

Helping the body of Christ to understand what they believe, why they believe it, how to live it.

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I thank you all from my heart for supporting Inner Voice Ministries. Lately this...
24/03/2014

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I thank you all from my heart for supporting Inner Voice Ministries. Lately this page is giving some problems like not letting me to post or many are having difficulties in sharing. So I have started a new page, I hope and wish you will support me there too. Here is the link to the new page - https://www.facebook.com/TheTruthWillSetUFree

Love & Prayers,
M. J. Knight.
“By the grace of God I am what I am….” 1 Cor 15:10.
What we are is God's gift to us. What we become is our gift to God.

Deception in Churches Today - Heavenly PortalsThe modern prophetic and apostolic prophets in the Church are forever comi...
23/03/2014

Deception in Churches Today - Heavenly Portals

The modern prophetic and apostolic prophets in the Church are forever coming up with teachings that are a distortion of the true meaning of the Word. For instance, they took this story about Jacob and made it into something it isn't. What was originally intended to provide Jacob with comfort of God's providence, it's now been molded into a doctrine promoting angelic portals. Their understanding of it has the fingerprints of the Enemy all over it.

As the story goes, Jacob, the grandson of Abraham, was fleeing from his twin brother Esau, who had promised to kill him. On the way to his relative's house, Jacob laid down for the night. As he was dreaming, he saw a ladder between Heaven and Earth. God's angels were on it, ascending and descending.

"And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it." Gen. 28:12

Jacob saw God standing above the ladder. God repeated the promise of support he had made to Abraham and Isaac (to bring Christ through his seed). He told Jacob his offspring would be many, blessing all the families of the earth. God then said:

"And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of." Gen. 28:15

When Jacob woke up, he believed that God was present in that place. He took the stone he had been using as a place to rest his head, poured oil on it, and then consecrated it to God. Jacob made a vow to God, and called the place Bethel.

Meaning of the Scripture

The ladder was intended to be an illustration of God's outreach between Heaven and Earth, with God taking the initiative to reach out to man. Through the seed of Abraham and his grandson Jacob, the Lord Jesus Christ would become the perfect "ladder" or bridge, who is God come to earth. Jesus refers to Himself as this ladder in John 1:51:

"And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."

The Unholy Deception

The New Apostolic Reformation, with their mystics, psychics, and false prophets, have been teaching a distorted interpretation to Jacob's dream, and have created a doctrine about heavenly portals and an Open Heaven. Based on an explanation by John Paul Jackson, there is an:

"...existence of portals--doors and passageways--leading to and from the heavenly realms. When you are standing in a portal, it feels like an open Heaven. A heavenly portal is a spherical opening of light that offers divine protection by which angels and heavenly beings can come and go, without demonic interference. God has designed portals to begin in the third Heaven, travel through the second Heaven, and open upon Earth."

As you can see, a lot of liberty has been taken to create this teaching. We have no scriptural evidence to prove that angelic activity occurs in these portals, or if it is demonic alone. But there is one thing that each of these portal/vortex locations have in common - paganism. We know that these locations were used in pagan worship by the Incas in Peru, the Egyptians at the Great Pyramid of Giza, Druids at Stonehenge in the UK, Indians at Sedona in Arizona, along with many others. Each of these pagan groups have pierced the veil between realities to seek an experience in a higher spiritual realm, or to gain understanding.

This portal experience sounds similar to that of Dr. John Dee, who was Queen Elizabeth's counselor and magician. He devoted much of his life to the study of alchemy, divination and Hermetic philosophy, and he was considered to be a Rosicrusian Grand Master and a black magician. He opened portals to communicate with angels/demons in order to learn the secrets of the universe, such as the universal (Enochian) language, turn base metals into gold, and bring about the unity of mankind.

Once you begin to see how Christians are being drawn into this same occult fascination and practice, you can begin to see that Satan is using it to bring about ecumenical unity (for the one world religion) and the unity of mankind (for the one world government). In my opinion, the Open Heaven experience is an attempt to create common ground with the occult, prepare the spiritual softness to remove separation between denominations, then share the experience of sacred oneness and the cosmic universal heart (aka brotherhood of man) - one of the New Age movements serious deceptions.

Sedona happens to be the New Age capital of the United States, and possibly the world. In an online book titled Sacred Places North America: 108 Destinations, the author explains that at least four major energy vortexes are detected in Sedona, including a Shamanic vortice. There are hot spots for a type of electromagnetic subterranean current, which may likely assist in this esoteric experience. Many visitors, Christians and unbelievers alike, have claimed healings, visions, and epiphanies of all kinds when caught within the esoteric confines of vortex activity.

Watch David Herzog talk about the Open Heavens on Sid Roth's program. Just as with most mystic Dominionists, he makes the sin of witchcraft appear to be a forgotten gift of God.

The Ancient Portals of Heaven - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9r0nEEftbHA

While you're listening to the video below, note the following:

Sid Roth considers himself and Herzog as Jews first, rather than Christian.

Herzog is teaching the hermetic principle of "as above, so below."

Herzog teaches astro projection in order to get the full experience of heaven, where he has claimed to have visited. Shamans also have the ability to leave the body. This is discussed in other YouTube videos, and is being implied in this interview.

He visits these pagan altars around the world.

They explain that demons pass through these portals/vortexes - both good and evil.

On certain dates, there is a free passage of angels, so they say. This is why Dominionists use occult dates to hold their conferences. For instance, Lou Engle held a conference on 11/11/11.

Their miracles are misleading many, and Herzog appears to be doing it knowingly.

"Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved." 2 Thess. 2:9,10

Rick Joyner, Count Zinzendorf, and Portals
In Moravian Falls, North Carolina, Rick Joyner has shared that he and his staff have had several angelic visitations on their property that was once owned by Count von Zinzendorf and the Moravian Brethren community. Several portals exist on this land which had been prayed over by the Moravian for over 100 years.

Contained on a video within MorningStar's website, Rick Joyner talks about how they came about possessing this piece of property, and how the tract of land once belonged to the Moravian church, led by Count Zinzendorf. Amongst some other interesting tidbits of information, he explains the connection he feels with the Moravians. They too considered themselves as a "New Breed" of Christian, and shared a vision for ecumenical unity.

What Joyner doesn't tell you is that Count von Zinzendorf, who was part of the aristocracy, was involved in a Masonic Order, and used metaphysical rituals he learned from the Kabbalah. If the Moravians used mysticism, and they did, it explains why the portal is at Moravian Falls.

It is interesting to note that the Moravians are also known for healings, signs and wonders, yet they brought the first Christmas tree (pagan) to this country. Also, the illuminated Moravian star, with its 26 points, may have been brought about because of sacred geometry, another fascination of Masons. It should also be noted that Zinzendorf had a Kabbalistic sexual agenda - which I really don't care to go into further.

"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." Eph. 5:11

Esoteric practices and beliefs have infiltrated the Church and have been made to sound Christian. Many genuine believers have been fooled, thus opening the door to enable Satan to gain power in their lives. These mystical practices were considered witchcraft by Christians before us, but we live in a dumbed-down generation. All caution has been blown to the wind by many in the Church today, since these ministers of darkness have added a few scriptures to make their teaching sound biblical.

None of the aspects of Heaven will be brought to Earth until the Lord returns. The use of mysticism is for unbelievers desiring hidden knowledge, and not for the Christian. Heavenly visitations and speaking to angels have never been something the traditional Bible believer has sought after, since they parallel occult practices - as we saw with Dr. John Dee. Anyone dealing with these practices are committing spiritual su***de.

A former Shaman, now born again Christian, told me:

"Shamans don't know that the angels of light that visit them are really demons. I didn't know until I read the Bible. I can explain to you what it is like to go to a different reality in the so-called astral. It seems more real than even this reality, but it is all an illusion planted into your mind by a devil playing your cerebral cortex like an instrument."

If a devoted Shaman can be fooled by a spiritual experience, then a devoted Christian can be just as easily fooled.

"Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 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." Matt. 7:21-23

God alone dictates how we should approach Him in worship and worshiping at pagan portals isn't it!

He, who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Remember
Only one life, will soon be past,
Only what is done, for Christ will last.

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:23-27)

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. (2 Corinthians 13:14)

Love & Prayers,
Michael Jeremiah Knight.
“By the grace of God I am what I am….” 1 Cor 15:10.
What we are is God's gift to us. What we become is our gift to God.

Inner Voice Ministries - The Truth shall set you free

Deception in Churches Today - Grave Sucking or Mantle Grabbing This deception in the church is so embarrassing I am almo...
22/03/2014

Deception in Churches Today - Grave Sucking or Mantle Grabbing

This deception in the church is so embarrassing I am almost at a loss for words to write about it. A few years ago a "new thing" emerged from within the culture of Charismatic’s called grave sucking which is still being practiced. "Surely no one would buy into something so silly. Well my friends, this is for real. I have experienced these movements firsthand and openly attest to the growing loathsome impact a wayward organization can inflict on innocent souls seeking truth. Read On.

“There are anointings, mantles, revelations and mysteries that have lain unclaimed, literally where they were left because the generation that walked in them never passed them on. I believe it’s possible for us to recover realms of anointing, realms of insight, realms of God that have been untended for decades simply by choosing to reclaim them and perpetuate them for future generations.” Bill Johnson.

(Here is a video link to Students of Bill Johnson's Bethel Church Soaking up the “anointing” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrHPTs8cLls)

Grave Sucking Explained

The deception being put forward is that by visiting the grave of a famous preacher or evangelist you can suck up his or her mantel into your spirit, like a sponge absorbs water. This practice is so peculiar and distant to what the Bible teaches I had difficulty finding a working definition to explain any of it but here goes.

Grave sucking or mantle grabbing is the belief and practice of pulling the supposed Holy Spirit powers from the dead bones of a previously empowered believer. It is taught that when a Spirit empowered individual dies their mantle or mission dies with them. In other words God's mission for that believer was thwarted when that believer died." So we as believers must find a way to retrieve the mantle or anointing from the rotting co**se six feet under. Only then can we get God’s plans back on track. This is achieved by placing our hands on the gravestone of the deceased or lying on top of the grave. Sometimes a prayer will be offered to God to aid in this perceived power transfer.

I kid you not! Many people actually believe this. God’s plan has in fact been frustrated and now God needs us to seek out His lost anointing so we can bale God and His plans out. They believe that by laying there on the grave they will be able to pull the anointing from the dead. It’s as if they believe the Holy Spirit is lost and doesn’t seem to realize that the person they empowered is dead and is no longer able to minister in this empowered way. Suddenly the Holy Spirit senses someone is lying on the dirt six feet above His head. The Holy Spirit, apparently not caring who is laying up there decides to jump into the new body giving them the supernatural abilities that the dearly departed once had. Again this assumes that the person in the grave was in fact empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Benny Hinn Claims he felt the Anointing at Mystic Aimee Semple McPherson’s Grave

I felt a terrific anointing when I was there. I actually, I—I, hear this, I trembled when I visited Aimee’s tomb. I was shaking all over. God’s power came all over me. … I believe the anointing has lingered over Aimee’s body. I know this may be shocking to you. … And I’m going to take David [Palmquist] and Kent [Mattox] and Sheryl [Palmquist] this week. They’re gonna come with me. You—you—you gonna feel the anointing at Aimee’s tomb. It’s incredible. And Kathryn’s. It’s amazing. I’ve heard of people healed when they visited that tomb. They were totally healed by God’s power. You say, ‘What a crazy thing.’ Brother, there’s things we’ll never understand. Are you all hearing me?” Benny Hinn

Grave Sucking or Mantle Grabbing is the Fast Track to Spiritual Power

For many who subscribe to charismatic type beliefs, it is thought that a person must spend much time and effort trying to achieved a state of Holy Spirit empowerment. This is achieved by extensive prayer, worship, contemplative prayer, soaking, fasting and much more. Mantle Grabbing/Grave Sucking is seen as the workaround to achieving fast Holy Spirit empowerment.

“An inheritance in the natural can be anything a person values enough to leave to the next generation. It usually is either property or money and represents years and years of another person’s effort. If you receive an inheritance when you’re younger, say as a young, newly married adult, that inheritance can financially “jump start” your ability to have things that otherwise would have taken you years to attain. You might be able to buy a house, or live in a part of town only people higher up the corporate ladder can afford. You might be able to pay for your college education or buy a nice car. An inheritance allows you to start out ahead of where you would have been without it. With an inheritance, you receive for free what others worked to obtain. A spiritual inheritance works the same way. It enables us to start our Christian life at spiritual levels that might normally have taken us years to reach. Another generation’s “ceiling” in God can become our spiritual “floor.” Cal Pierce.

“Lord, if a dead man can be thrown on the bones of Elisha and be healed, then I’m asking for the anointing that is on these bones of John G. Lake.” Cal Pierce.

Does the Bible Support Grave Sucking?

First it must be stated that there is not a single scripture in the Bible that clearly describes grave sucking. Are there any scriptures that seem to teach the concept of grave sucking? There is only one. That’s right. The only scripture that even remotely comes near this subject is in 2 Kings. It gives an account of a man coming alive after touching Elisha’s dead bones.

2 Kings 13:21 “And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.”

Let’s look at this soberly. Did this man who came to life receive Elisha’s mantle? No? Did he take up Elisha’s ministry and become a prophet of God? No. Did he receive any kind of Holy Spirit empowerment? No. The man received his life back and that’s it. Why did this happen? Some supporters of grave sucking suggest that it’s because there was power left in the bones of the prophet Elisha. That is simply not true. The Holy Spirit does not hang out with rotting co**ses. Elisha had prophesied before he died, about King Josiah’s victory over Syria (2 Kings 13:15-18). God was putting His divine stamp of approval on Elisha’s last prophecy. In other words, God was saying that it would come to pass.

God Decides Who He Empowers

Our God is a sovereign God. God is not one that we can manipulate.

1Cor 12:11 “But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.”

James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

God Wants Us to Seek Him

Why would anyone want to seek a co**se for God’s blessing? Does not God want us to seek only Him?

Isaiah 8:19 “And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? For the living to the dead?

Grave Sites Were Considered Unclean

The Old Testament is pretty clear that visiting grave sites would make a person unclean. Why would God suddenly encourage believers to seek the Holy Spirit in an area that is considered unclean? Grave sucking is against God’s character.

Numbers 19:16 “And whosoever toucheth one that is slain with a sword in the open fields, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.”

To visit, lie down, or sit on a grave in expectation of receiving the anointing is unbiblical for the following reasons:

First, the Holy Spirit does not abide in dead people nor in those who are dead and buried. Wherever the Holy Spirit abides there is life and resurrection. "The idea that dead people's spirits can be contacted for information (or to receive the anointing of his or her mantle) is false. Those who attempt such contact inevitably contact demonic spirits, not the spirits of dead loved ones. There is no contact between the dead and the living. Therefore, seeking the dead is unnecessary and very dangerous."

Second, the Bible is the inspired word of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and living holy before the Lord (2 Timothy 3:16). "God has no tolerance for sorcery (Galatians 5:19-20). In Deuteronomy 18:10-12, sorcery is listed among the sinful practices of the nations surrounding Israel. God calls it an abomination: 'There shall not be found among you . . . anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD. And because of these abominations the LORD your God is driving them out before you.'"

Third, no believer is above another believer. A growing number of evangelicals believe some believers are given special anointing (or mantles) to carry on the work of famous, departed believers. This is error. We are to carry on the work of Christ. At the foot of the cross everyone stands on level ground, not one more esteemed than the other (Galatians 3:28). Of course, we recognize some believer's will have greater reward for faithfulness than others (1 Corinthians 3:12-14) but, if anyone is due honor and glory for exceptional faithfulness it is because the Savior made it possible. The apostle Paul says if we are to glory it must be in the work of Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:3).

Grave Sucking Attacks the Divine Nature of our God

In this view of the Father we have a God who both gets his plans foiled because His Holy Spirit empowered followers die and then to make matters worse, forgets to tell His believers how to resume His plans by retrieving the powers from a grave site. To make matters worse, it takes God several thousand years to realize He goofed and reveal this new information to His modern day “prophets”.

In closing, grave sucking is grave error. Those who practice it have been deceived by those who should know better. They wrongly believe this is how a believer receives the anointing to do a great work in the church. They have never discerned that a born-again believer already has the anointing (Galatians 5:16). Grave sucking not only makes us believers look like complete lunatics, it also has absolutely no foundation in God’s word. There is not a single scripture to support this nonsense. God’s divine nature is also in jeopardy under this insanity. Furthermore, why would God tell His followers to lie down on an unclean grave site to receive a lost portion of the Holy Spirit? This is silliness my friends and we need to repent. God is not happy about this blasphemous practice. Lord Jesus please forgive us confused sheep.

He, who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Remember
Only one life, will soon be past,
Only what is done, for Christ will last.

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:23-27)

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. (2 Corinthians 13:14)

Love & Prayers,
Michael Jeremiah Knight.
“By the grace of God I am what I am….” 1 Cor 15:10.
What we are is God's gift to us. What we become is our gift to God.

Inner Voice Ministries - The Truth shall set you free

Deception in Churches Today - Tongues only proof for Holy Spirit filled lifePlease Note: I come for a Charismatic Pentec...
21/03/2014

Deception in Churches Today - Tongues only proof for Holy Spirit filled life

Please Note: I come for a Charismatic Pentecostal background. I believe in gifts, miracles and power of the Holy Spirit. I am not against the Genuine Power of the Holy Spirit but against the false teachings and doctrines in the church. I also doubt of what is called tongues today, is not the genuine Bible based tongue; but that is a different subject which I will explain in the coming days. Lets carry on into today's study.

“....Do all speak with tongues?” 1 Corinthians 12:29-30

There are many believers that make tongues as THE proof that one is filled with the Spirit. Many wait for this evidence to occur and when it does not they look desperately to find whatever flaw or sin is holding back God's Spirit from coming and become saved. This Phenomenon had its beginning in 1901 with Miss Agnes Ozman in Topeka, Kansas. Tongues were considered to be the evidence of having been baptizes with Holy Spirit. This teaching and experience spread rapidly but was largely confined to the thousands of Pentecostal churches that came into being with their millions of members. Beginning in 1960 with an Episcopal rector, Dennis Bennett, tongues began to break out in some mainline denominations, some parachurch organizations and among Roman Catholics. That speaking in tongues is a genuine scriptural gift is un-debatable. The question is this: Is speaking in tongues the only proof of the Holy Spirit in you?

There are three occasions in the book of Acts where speaking in tongues accompanied the receiving of the Holy Spirit—Acts 2:4, 10:44-46, and 19:6. However, these three occasions are the only place in the Bible where speaking in tongue is an evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit. Throughout the book of Acts, thousands of people believe in Jesus and nothing is said about them speaking in tongues (Acts 2:41, 8:5-25, 16:31-34, 21:20). Nowhere in the New Testament is it taught that speaking in tongue is the only evidence a person has received the Holy Spirit. In fact, the New Testament teaches the opposite. We are told that every believer in Christ has the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:13-14), but not every believer speaks in tongues (1 Corinthians 12:29-31).

So, why was speaking in tongues the evidence of the Holy Spirit in those three passages in Acts? Acts 2 records the apostles being baptized in the Holy Spirit and empowered by Him to proclaim the gospel. The apostles were enabled to speak in other languages (tongues) so they could share the truth with people in their own languages. Acts 10 records the apostle Peter being sent to share the gospel with non-Jewish people. Peter and the other early Christians, being Jews, would have a hard time accepting Gentiles (non-Jewish people) into the church. God enabled the Gentiles to speak in tongues to demonstrate that they had received the same Holy Spirit the apostles had received (Acts 10:47, 11:17).

Acts 10:44-47 describes this: “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, 'Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.'“ Peter later refers back to this occasion as proof that God was indeed saving the Gentiles (Acts 15:7-11).

Speaking in tongues is nowhere presented as something all Christians should expect when they receive Jesus Christ as their Savior and are therefore baptized in the Holy Spirit. In fact, out of all the conversion accounts in the New Testament, only two record speaking in tongues in that context. Tongues was a miraculous gift that had a specific purpose for a specific time. It was not, and never has been, the only evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit.

Today, there is a lot of emphasis on speaking in tongues. Some believe that everyone that is filled with the Holy Ghost will speak in tongues, but the Bible says: "Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?" 1 Corinthians 12:29-30

Paul is asking a series of rhetorical questions in 1 Corinthians 12:29-30 and the answer is obviously "no". Notice how the New Living Translation puts verse 30 "Does everyone have the gift of healing? Of course not. Does God give all of us the ability to speak in unknown languages? Can everyone interpret unknown languages? No!" This whole chapter addresses the fact that all believers do not receive the same gifts. In fact, speaking in tongues is down at the bottom of the list. The most important thing to remember is that this is all just setting the stage for Chapter 13, where Paul makes it clear that the fruits are definitely more desirable and valuable than the gifts. If we don't have LOVE to begin with, then the gifts are useless!

So how you can know when you are filled with the Holy Spirit?

The greatest evidence that a person has received the Holy Ghost is a CHANGED LIFE. Consider the words of Galatians 5:13-17 “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish."

Those who have the Spirit of God live differently than those who do not. They are no longer ruled by "the flesh". They are now guided and directed by Holy Spirit to live a holy life, one that brings forth the fruits of the Spirit: "love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." Galatians 5:22-26

If we're walking in God's Spirit, then changes are going to take place in the way we think, speak, act, and treat others. We will have God's love shining through us; His Joy filling our hearts. This is the best way to know that someone is truly filled with the Holy Spirit. As Jesus said, "You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit" Matthew 7:16-18

The Bible also says that there are spiritual gifts given to the true followers of Christ: "for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills." 1 Corinthians 12:8-11.

But remember what Jesus said, we will know them by their FRUITS (the way they live) not by their gifts.

He, who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Remember
Only one life, will soon be past,
Only what is done, for Christ will last.

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:23-27)

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. (2 Corinthians 13:14)

Love & Prayers,
Michael Jeremiah Knight.
“By the grace of God I am what I am….” 1 Cor 15:10.
What we are is God's gift to us. What we become is our gift to God.

Inner Voice Ministries - The Truth shall set you free

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