06/12/2016
HOW THE HOLY SPIRIT WORKS?
How does the Holy Spirit work in church and in the life of a Christian? How can you detect his presence in your life?
We’ll start the study of the Holy Spirit with Jesus words, he says “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” John 16:13 [Open in Logos Bible Software (if available)] .
The spirit’s greatest work is to give man guidance, in ALL THE TRUTH, and this truth does not disagree, but concurs fully with the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, He concurs with scripture.
The Spirit of Truth and the Gospel
holyspirit
The Holy Spirit agrees with scripture
We cannot separate the true Holy Spirit from the true word of God. It is the spirit who inspired its writing, and he is therefore the only one who can guide man through it. Some churches and pastors preach the word that disagrees with scripture, indicating that the revelation from their hearts is more superior to the word of God, but nothing can be further from the truth.
The Lord further teaches us that “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. 9 for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts”. Isa.55:8-9 [Open in Logos Bible Software (if available)] . You cannot use your own thoughts and say this is how we should worship God. It is only the Holy Spirit that guides you on how to worship because the spirit of God is the one that inspires, teaches preaches and reminds us in all truth so that someone may not lack anything. So what does the Holy Spirit do in the church? Thebible says that when the Holy Spirit comes he will inspire us in everything.
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26 [Open in Logos Bible Software (if available)]
The Holy Spirit does not deviate from what Christ taught us. The spirit doesn’t teach against the very ideals laid down in scripture. There is however, that spirit which is in the world which genuine Christians have not been given (1cor 2:12), it does not come from God, but works in children of disobedience (Eph.2:1-2 [Open in Logos Bible Software (if available)] ); this is the one that disguises as God’s spirit to lead men astray.
The Spirit of God does not speak in human wisdom, but divine insight. He does not work through philosophies; He is the very unfolding of the clear truth of God to mankind. The spirit of the world promises worldly material, perishable wealth, all of no consequence to spiritual growth but uses worldly substance to blind man from the lethal wounds inflicted on the inner-man by sin, thus leading many to eternal death. It is the spirit of darkness that tempted Our Lord with world treasures “Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Matthew.4:8-9 [Open in Logos Bible Software (if available)] . This is the exact weapon by which he is ruling the world today. How many times do we let God down, compromise his principles, his commandments, His standards, so as to find relief in this life? How much effort do we invest in searching for great wealth and health, than we do in seeking the Lord? Are we bowing down to worship the devil so as to earn the world’s glory, or are we willing to “go to him outside the camp and share his shame.”? (GNB) Heb.13:13 [Open in Logos Bible Software (if available)] .
Jesus' Great Knowledge in Teaching!
Jesus’ Great Knowldge
Contrary to human philosophies, and college based theologies, the Holy Spirit posses and hence passes-on great saving knowledge to whomever he chooses. Jesus Christ had not been educated according to worldly education systems, but being inspired by the spirit of God (Luke.4:18 [Open in Logos Bible Software (if available)] ), his knowledge was greatly marveled at by the Doctors of Philosophy! (John.7:15 [Open in Logos Bible Software (if available)] ). The so called men of God, because they have earned PhD’s in philosophy believe that they know more than what the spirit has inspired in scripture, teaching contrary doctrine, and because they are highly respected and expected to know better, most people follow them without question!
Well, even Paul was elite, a philosopher in the Law, but he made a stunning statement when he encountered the Holy Spirit “But all those things that I might count as profit I now reckon as loss for Christ’s sake.” Philip.3:7. We cannot base on our worldly endowment, knowledge and qualifications, to determine whether or not we are spirit indwelt. It is that pure quality of humility & disdain from sin which is the main sign of a spirit indwelt person. That’s why Paul – a Philosopher and peter – a fisherman were able to interact on the Gospel doctrine and ministry because they had the same power of the Holy Spirit – a power that brings all to one level of humility; emptying the past, holding onto the new.
Works of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit therefore first, teaches us, then reminds us and finally inspires us. To inspire us means that he guides us in the way of salvation. Many people today claim to posses the Holy Spirit, but the Holy Spirit is a reality, he is not meant to be claimed, we can be sure to have been awarded the gift of the Holy Spirit based on our fruits. The fruits of the Spirit are evident; Joy, peace, self-control, gentleness, among others (Gal.5:22 [Open in Logos Bible Software (if available)] ), but whenever works of darkness are manifested; hypocrisy, jealous, adultery & fornication, deception among others (Gal.5:19-21 [Open in Logos Bible Software (if available)] ), then we can be sure there is no Holy Spirit in that person, he or she is living on claims – a very dangerous position.