Discerning Truth From Error
Notes
Transcript
DISCERNING
TRUTH
FROM ERROR
Copyright 1985,1993,2001,2007
Crossroads Full Gospel
International Ministries
All Rights Reserved.
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Published by, and the sole property of, Jimmy Swaggart Ministries, Baton Rouge, LA, and
extracts from the Swaggart Bible Commentary series are identified as S.B.C. Copyright ©
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by The International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Also used: The New Testament: An Expanded Translation (Wuest) translated by Kenneth S.
Wuest. Copyright © 1961 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Bracketed comments following some scriptures assist the reader in understanding the intended
meaning of these verses
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conjunction with the College material. This is not to say that we agree with all their theology,
but we certainly value their contribution to the Body of Christ.
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CONTENTS
DISCERNING TRUTH FROM ERROR..................................1
UNDERSTANDING THE SCRIPTURES...........................5
DISCERNING TRUTH........................................................6
THE NEED TO FIND THE RIGHT CHURCH.................13
THE NARCOTIC OF DARKNESS...................................15
SPIRITUAL WARFARE.....................................................21
DEALING WITH PROBLEMS..........................................24
GOD’S CONVICTING POWER........................................28
DISCERNING TRUTH
FROM ERROR
This small teaching will help you discern in some areas between
good and evil, that which is of God and that which is false teaching.
We know that in the world there is much incorrect teaching and
philosophy based on unproved theory, “gut feelings” and emotional
responses. Therefore we need to be thoroughly grounded in God’s
Word in order to distinguish right from wrong, and not be led astray
by what someone thinks or feels in relation to truth, especially
regarding spiritual and moral matters.
Background Reading: Galatians 1:1-12
Let’s turn to the Gospel of John:
JOHN 1:1 In the beginning (speaks of creation) was the
Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was
God.
JOHN 1:14 And the Word was made flesh (this was the
Incarnation - God became man, a man called Jesus), and
dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of
the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth
(as “flesh,” proclaimed His Humanity, “Grace and
Truth” His Deity : E.S.B.)
We as Christians have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us (1
Corinthians 3:16). It is the Holy Spirit Who brings the essence of the
Father and the Son to dwell with us.
JOHN 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, “If a
man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father
will love him, and We will come unto him (all through
the Holy Spirit), and make Our abode with him” (Jesus
explained that His manifestation of Himself was to the
heart; it was inward and spiritual, so that the heart would
consciously enjoy His abiding in it : E.S.B.).
1
1 JOHN 4:15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the
Son of God (the confession John speaks of here is a
lifetime confession, and represents the sustained attitude
of the heart : E.S.B.), God dwells in him, and he in God.
However, there are numerous churches and religions which do
not preach that Jesus is God the Word (the second member of the
Trinity) come in the flesh, the Creator of all. There are many
religions which do not believe that Jesus is God, as clearly evidenced
in the scriptures:
COLOSSIANS 1:16 For by Him were all things
created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible
(seen) and invisible (unseen), whether they be thrones,
or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things
were created by Him, and for Him:
COLOSSIANS 1:17 And He is before all things (He
pre-existed all things), and by Him all things consist
(hold together). (Proverbs 8:22-31)
HEBREWS 1:2 (God) Has in these last days (the
Church Age) spoken unto us by His Son (Jesus Christ),
Whom He has appointed heir of all things, by Whom
also He made the worlds;
HEBREWS 1:3 Who being the brightness of His glory
(the radiance of God’s Glory), and the express image of
His person (the exact reproduction), and upholding all
things by the Word of His power (carries the meaning of
Jesus not only sustaining the weight of the universe, but
also maintaining its coherence and carrying on its
development), when He had by Himself purged our sins
(which He did at the Cross, dealing with sin regarding its
cause, its power, and its guilt), sat down on the Right
Hand of the Majesty on high (speaks of the Finished
Work of Christ, and that the Sacrifice was accepted by the
Father); (E.S.B.)
2
There are also some people who say, “Yes, we believe Jesus is
God.” And many of these may even say, “Jesus is the way,” often
leading people to believe they are saved and their churches are of
God. However if we take a closer look at their doctrine, it could
reveal that they also believe that we will all be gods one day or that
Jesus developed into a god, or that Jesus is one of many gods, all of
which deny His Divine identity as God the Word. Therefore we must
be wary of false teachers and doctrines. Jesus Himself forewarned us
about false teachers:
MATTHEW 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto
them, “Take heed that no man deceive you.
MATTHEW 24:5 For many shall come in My Name,
saying, ‘I am Christ;’ and shall deceive many.”
LUKE 21:8 And He (Jesus) said, “Take heed that you
be not deceived: for many shall come in My Name,
saying, “I am Christ;” and the time draws near (for the
Rapture): go you not therefore after them (do not follow
them).”
The Apostle Paul gave further warnings, both to Timothy and the
Galatian churches:
1 TIMOTHY 4:1 Now the Spirit speaks expressly
(explicitly), that in the latter times (the period in which
we now live) some shall depart from the faith, giving
heed to seducing (deceiving) spirits, and doctrines of
devils (doctrines inspired by demons but taught by man).
GALATIANS 1:7 . . . but there be some that trouble you
(cause confusion), and would pervert the Gospel of
Christ (by false teaching).
3
“. . .if we take a closer look at their
doctrine, it could reveal that they also
believe that Jesus developed into a god . .
. thus denying His Divine identity as
God the Word. . .”
GALATIANS 1:8 But though we (Paul and his
associates), or an Angel from Heaven, Preach any other
Gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto
you (Jesus Christ and Him Crucified), let him be
accursed (eternally condemned; the Holy Spirit speaks
this through Paul, making this very serious). (E.S.B.)
2 TIMOTHY 4:3 For the time will come when they
(men) will not endure sound doctrine; but after their
own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers (who
will teach them not truth but what they want to hear),
having itching ears (ears itching to hear comfortable
words);
2 TIMOTHY 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears
from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables (and thus
darkness).
Because they lack the knowledge of God’s Word in their
hearts, many people are deceived by cults which teach false
doctrines. Unfortunately sometimes Christians are also led astray by
these cults and as a result, forfeit their salvation. Therefore we
need to study the Word of God, so that we can recognize these
false teachers and their false doctrines, not only for our own
sakes, but also for the sake of our fellow man. We need to
remember that the gift of salvation is precious beyond measure
and the truth of the Gospel is the only light given to illuminate
the way to life in this spiritually dead and darkened world.
Therefore we need to allow the Word of God to direct us and
light our pathway, hungering for the Law of God as the
Psalmist did (Psalm 119:72;105;165, 19:7-10).
4
UNDERSTANDING THE SCRIPTURES
There are many methods of interpretation of scripture including the
allegorical method, the mystical method, the devotional method, the
rationalistic method, the literal method, etc. The two we will mention here
are the allegorical method and the literal method.
“The allegorical method presumes that beneath the plain and obvious
sense of scripture lies its true meaning. It believes that what the words of
Scripture literally say are only external “chaff” which hides the true
spiritual “wheat” of the Word.
In relation to Scripture, the literal method of interpretation is the oldest
in existence. It is said to have originated with Ezra, the Father of
Hermeneutics . . .
The literal method assumes that the words of Scripture in their plain
evident meaning are reliable; that God intended His revelation to be
understood by all who believe; that the words of Scripture communicate
what God wants man to know; and that God based the communication of
truth on the regular laws governing written communication, thereby
intending for it to be interpreted by those same laws. This is not to deny the
Holy Spirit’s involvement in both the production and the interpretation of the
Bible.” 1
(underlines added)
It is not our task to introduce meaning into scripture but to
extract meaning from scripture. This should be primarily done
according to the literal methodology whereby scripture is interpreted
in terms of context. This involves plain and evident meanings which
must always integrate harmoniously with the Bible as a whole. These
meanings are to be understood, with the help of the Holy Spirit, by
all who believe. As we interpret scripture according to the literal
method, we discover that the Holy Spirit reveals not only “the letter
of the law” but “the spirit of the law” as well. The interpretation of
scripture must also, of necessity, allow for the use of idiom and
various forms of exaggerated language - for the literal truth will be in
the figurative language, e.g. Matthew 7:3-5; Matthew 23:24, 27;
Mark 10:25; Luke 14:26.
5
“. . .It is not our task to introduce
meaning into scripture but to extract
meaning from scripture. . .”
There are some truths contained in the scriptures which do
require the use of so called “spiritual maths” to be clearly discerned.
This includes the interpretation of some prophetic, and also some
symbolic material. Within this context, interpretation must always
agree with the harmony of the scriptures. For this kind of interpretive
work, we are always dependent, of course, on the Person of the Holy
Spirit, for it is He Who functions as the Revealer of truth (John
14:26; John 16:13, 14).
There is much to be studied in relation to this subject of
interpreting the scriptures. At this point we are only making you
aware of this subject and some of the ramifications of the different
approaches that exist.
Again let us say that we are to seek, find and embrace, with the
help of the Holy Spirit, the meaning of scripture. We are not to
impose meaning on scripture but to extract the true meaning of
scripture. This will enable us to understand the Bible according to its
real interpretation, i.e. the way God intended.
DISCERNING TRUTH
Background Reading: Luke 6:43-44
If a person is open to the Spirit of Truth (the Holy Spirit - our
Teacher), the greatest sign to show that a teaching is of God will be
God’s convicting power on the Word of truth when it is spoken in
wisdom and faith. As the Spirit bears witness with our spirit
(Romans 8:16) that the words being spoken are from God, if truly
open to this truth, we will experience an inner conviction. It is this
inner witness (the knowing within) that will tell us whether a
teaching is of God or not (again, that is if we are open to the Spirit of
God). However, many may be unable to correctly perceive this
leading. For this reason they need to be protected from the enemy
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and themselves through submitting to God-given leadership - their
shepherds (pastors and teachers) within the Body.
God’s purpose in shepherding His people doctrinally is revealed
in His exhortation to Timothy:
2 TIMOTHY 4:2 Herald and preach the Word! Keep
your sense of urgency (stand by, be at hand and ready,
whether the opportunity seems to be favorable or
unfavorable, whether it is convenient or inconvenient,
whether it be welcome or unwelcome, you as preacher
of the Word are to show people in what way their lives
are wrong) and convince them, rebuking and
correcting, warning and urging and encouraging them,
being unflagging and inexhaustible in patience and
teaching. (Amp.)
Another version reads:
2 TIMOTHY 4:2 Preach the Word (refers to the whole
body of revealed Truth, which means the entirety of the
Word of God); be instant in season, out of season
(presents the idea of the Preacher holding himself in
constant readiness to proclaim the Word); reprove (the
Preacher is to deal with sin, both in the lives of his
unsaved hearers and in those of the Saints to whom he
Ministers, and he is to do so in no uncertain tones and
terms), rebuke (a suggestion in some cases of impending
penalty), exhort with all longsuffering and Doctrine.
(This tells us that the “reproving” and the “rebuking”
must be done with gentleness . . . ) (E.S.B.)
Many become shipwrecked in their faith because they never put
down roots, but move from church to church, thinking they are
qualified to act as their own pastors. This goes against the teaching
of scripture which states that God gave the offices of the Five Fold
Ministry (Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers) to
the Church for the express purpose of “ . . . the perfecting of the
Saints, . . . the work of the ministry, . . . the edifying of the Body of
Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-12).
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“. . .Many become shipwrecked in their
faith because they never put down roots,
but move from church to church,
thinking they are qualified to act as their
own pastors. . .”
In fact part of God’s prescribed order for our Christian life is
to become committed to a local church and to submit to those whom
God has placed in authority over us in this place. There are
shepherds and there are sheep - and the sheep are ill-equipped to
shepherd themselves. Therefore we find specific instruction in God’s
Word to:
HEBREWS 13:17 Obey them who have the rule over
you, and submit yourselves (to them in the Lord): for
they watch for your souls (have a responsibility for your
spiritual welfare), as they who must give account (to the
Lord), that they may do it with joy, and not with grief:
for that is unprofitable for you.
This is not an authority which is to be exercised in a dictatorial
way, for all things need to be taken to the Lord in prayer. While the
shepherd must give account, each person is still responsible for their
own spiritual walk. The key in all this is humility, and a heart’s
desire to please the Father:
1 PETER 5:5 Likewise, you younger, submit yourselves
unto the elder. Yes, all of you be subject one to another,
and be clothed with humility: for God resists the proud,
and gives grace to the humble. (Proverbs 3:34)
1 PETER 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the
mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time
(proclaims the route to the Blessings of God : E.S.B.)
The first sign which shows that a teaching is of God is that it
will line up with His Word - His principles. Then if it does, it must
also be a balanced message, in context, and applicable for today.
8
Indeed there are many hermeneutical rules which govern the
interpretation of scripture. Biblical hermeneutics is the science of
interpretation of scripture.
Note that we will not know if a teaching is correct by how much
emotional response we have to it, or by how “comfortable” we feel.
Both of these indicators can be based purely on the senses, and the
senses are not able to accurately or objectively discern spiritual truth.
“. . .The first sign which shows that a
teaching is of God is that it will line up
with His Word - His principles. . .”
When God’s teachings are received and acted upon in faith, His
power will be released to back up His Word of truth. And there will
be signs and wonders which accompany and confirm the preaching
of the message of truth.
ROMANS 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of
Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation (of
spirit, soul and body) to every one who believes . . .
MARK 16:20 And they (the early Church) went forth,
and preached every where, the Lord working with them,
and confirming the Word with signs (and wonders)
following. Amen.
These signs will include lives transformed at an experiential
level to express the fruit of the Spirit.
GALATIANS 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,
peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
GALATIANS 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such
there is no law. (This fruit can only develop when
Christians are led and empowered by the Spirit.)
GALATIANS 5:24 And they who are Christ’s have
crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
9
GALATIANS 5:25 If we live in the Spirit (speaks of
salvation), let us also walk in the Spirit (speaks of
ongoing sanctification, i.e. living our life on a daily basis
according to the graces and energies of the Divine
Nature).
We cannot, however, rely on the numbers of people being saved
and healed alone to tell us whether a certain teaching is truth or not.
This is because people have wills and can reject the truth, thus
choosing not to receive of God’s teachings through His chosen
vessels. By doing so, such people remain in bondage because of their
unbelief or rebellion. Therefore we cannot rely on signs alone to
establish the authenticity of a teacher or teaching.
“. . .We cannot, however, rely on the
numbers of people being saved and
healed alone to tell us whether a certain
teaching is truth or not. . .”
Indeed the power of the Gospel is only realized when people
receive, believe and act on God’s Word in faith - for until truth is
believed and acted upon, it will remain merely empty or dead words.
But when it is appropriated according to the conditions of God’s
Word, it is transformed into the living word which can release the
power of God unto salvation of spirit, soul and body.
We can see an example of people rejecting God’s teachings
when Jesus, the greatest teacher of all, returned to Nazareth, His
home town.
MARK 6:1 And He went out from thence (Capernium),
and came into His own country (hometown - Nazareth);
and His Disciples follow (accompanied) Him.
MARK 6:2 And when the Sabbath day was come, He
began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing
Him were astonished, saying, “From whence has this
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man these things? and what wisdom is this which is
given unto Him, that even such mighty works (miracles)
are wrought by His hands? (They did not question the
wisdom or the works, but rather His right to do such
things. In their thoughts, He wasn’t worthy!) (E.S.B.)
MARK 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the Son of Mary,
the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and
Simon? and are not His sisters here with us? ” And they
were offended at Him (disapproved of Him).
MARK 6:4 But Jesus said unto them, “A Prophet is not
without honour (proper deference and reverence), but in
his own country, and among his own kin, and in his
own house (probably meaning His brothers and sisters).”
MARK 6:5 And He could there do no mighty work,
save that He laid His hands upon a few sick folk, and
healed them.
MARK 6:6 And He marvelled (was amazed) because of
their unbelief . . .
Even though God had performed many mighty miracles and
wonders through Jesus’ ministry, people still rejected Jesus and His
teachings, and the same still happens today to God’s ministers.
Therefore a lack of signs and wonders does not necessarily mean that
a teaching or a ministry is not of God.
However, we can state categorically that if a teaching does not
line up with God’s Word, we need to reject it, no matter what socalled “signs” may accompany it (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). Thus to
know if a teaching is correct and in context, we must know the
principles contained within God’s Word. Otherwise we could be
deceived by wrong teaching and succumb to confusion and error.
We need proper doctrinal filters to work through the doctrines of the
Bible. In other words, scripture will not contradict itself, and will
always harmonize. As we understand basic doctrines, we can use
these as a filter by which other doctrine can be tested, and if true,
then digested. As scripture itself tells us, we must be built up,
doctrine upon doctrine, “For precept must be upon precept, precept
11
upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a
little” (Isaiah 28:10). In this way we can progress gradually from the
milk of the Word to the meat of the Word:
HEBREWS 5:13 For every one who uses milk (doesn’t
refer to new Christians but those who have had
opportunity to grow in the Word and haven’t done so) is
unskilful in the Word of righteousness: for he is (still) a
babe.
HEBREWS 5:14 But strong meat (of the Word) belongs
to them who are of full age (mature in the Lord), even
those who by reason of use have their senses exercised
to discern both (distinguish between) good and evil.
EPHESIANS 4:14 That we henceforth be no more
children (immature Christians), tossed to and fro, and
carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight
of men (unscrupulous teachers of falsehood), and
cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive
(by deliberate scheming)
Remember that the foundation of all doctrine is the Cross.
Therefore anything, meaning any doctrine which is not based on
Calvary - on the Cross (the Atonement) - will be false and will bring
nothing but error and distraction of one kind or another.
“. . .We need proper doctrinal filters to
work through the doctrines of the Bible.
In other words, scripture will not
contradict itself, and will always
harmonize. . .”
We are responsible for our own personal growth in the Lord.
We are responsible for what we do with what we hear. God has
commanded us to seek Him and His truth with all we have, and He
promises that if we do, we will find both. To do anything less than
this is to deny ourselves God’s fellowship and love, and this may
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bring bondage into our lives and even cause others to remain in
darkness (through a lack of discipleship and Christian witness on our
part).
God will protect new Christians in their initial growth in a
limited way as long as they follow Him wholeheartedly. Just as
parents care for their children and protect them from harm when they
can, God does the same. However the degree of help, protection and
provision that God gives will depend on the individual’s willingness
to allow Him to do so. And we need also to allow God to direct us in
regard to the church we attend and the ministry we sit under, for in
these matters we are also responsible before God. We should allow
these things to be of God’s choosing, not ours - for in relation to God
we are but babes, and it is He Who knows both us and the future. So
leave the future in His hands, by allowing Him to lead in all these
areas.
“. . .We need to allow God to direct us in
regard to the church we attend and the
ministry we sit under, for in these matters
we are also responsible before God. . .”
THE NEED TO FIND THE RIGHT CHURCH
We are instructed by scripture to seek out fellow Believers,
which includes attending and supporting a local church of the Lord’s
choosing, located of course after much prayer that has sought the
Holy Spirit’s leading.
HEBREWS 10:25 Not forsaking or neglecting to
assemble together [as Believers] (at church and teaching
meetings), as is the habit of some people, but
admonishing - warning, urging and encouraging - one
another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day
approaching (the return of our Lord Jesus Christ).
(Amp.)
If Christians are attending churches which they find are not
teaching correctly in major areas, they should pray and ask the Lord
13
for direction concerning this, i.e. whether to find another church or
not. The reason for this is that if Christians remain in these places,
they may become weakened in their faith, stunted in their spiritual
growth, or even led into error.
The devil will use such situations to weaken Christians
spiritually, keeping them in ignorance and bringing them into
unbelief. You can be sure that Satan does not want Christians
absorbing the powerful truths of God’s Word. His ploy is to try to
stop Christians believing on the Word of God, having them say, for
example, “Healing is not for today,” “God doesn’t do miracles any
more,” “God put this sickness on me to make me humble and to test
me,” or make other kinds of erroneous statements which he can
deceive people into believing and proclaiming as truth. Of course
what accompanies unbelief and wrong teaching is usually a lack of
true compassion and love for one’s fellow man. Christians may try
in the flesh (emotions) to love, but it will not be love which flows
from God’s Divine power working within. Sadly judgement,
backbiting, gossip and people justifying their sin usually constitute
further fruit of “weak Saints,” strong in the flesh but weak in the
power of the Lord.
“. . .If Christians remain in these places,
they may become weakened in their faith,
stunted in their spiritual growth, or even
led into error. . .”
The devil will use anything he can to keep people from the truth
and from having true victory in every area of their lives. So if
Christians purpose to study and believe for healing or deliverance (or
one of the many other promises in God’s Word), and then go to
church and hear that healing is not for today (and other erroneous
teaching), it can hinder or stunt their growth in this area. This is why
some may need, according to the Lord’s leading, to change their
place of fellowship - so that God can teach them and nurture them in
His truths. Otherwise there is a danger that they will experience
defeat and spiritual bankruptcy in many areas of their lives, as they
are suffocated and weakened by a lack of the spiritual food needed to
strengthen their inner man.
14
Just a warning - quite often the very church the Lord would
want you to attend may be labelled by lukewarm Christians as
“weird” and “fanatical” because of its uncompromising stance
concerning the standard required by the Word of God. Do not let the
opinions of others rob you of hearing the voice of the Spirit. If Satan
cannot rob you from outside the church, he will try to do so from
within the church and sad to say, he has much success.
Note also that we were never designed to be islands unto
ourselves, and our Christian walk includes commitment to a local
body of Believers with whom we can share our faith and be mutually
encouraged and edified. We can also understand that Christians are
not meant to teach or pastor themselves in the sense of being
independent, and isolated from the Body. Yes the Holy Spirit will
bring revelation of the Word, yet this almost always takes place in
the context of submission to God-ordained ministers of the Gospel,
teachers and pastors through whom the Lord works in order to edify
and develop the maturity of the Saints of the Kingdom.
“. . .We were never designed to be islands
unto ourselves. . . .and Christians are not
meant to teach or pastor themselves in
the sense of being independent, and
isolated from the Body. . .”
THE NARCOTIC OF DARKNESS
The Word tells us:
1 PETER 5:8 Be sober (mentally alert), be vigilant
(watchful); because your adversary the devil, as a
roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour
(destroy)
However his attacks can be subtle and insidious to the point
where Christians have no idea that they have ingested darkness from
his evil storehouse. This darkness, once tasted and consumed by the
15
flesh, becomes addictive. Unless the Christian is an earnest seeker of
truth, and wants an ongoing relationship with the Author of all truth,
they can become so blinded and paralyzed by this evil onslaught that
they are rendered ineffective, at best, for the term of their earthly
journey.
The narcotic of darkness is the drug that puts Pentecostal,
Charismatic and mainline Christians into a stupor, bringing a haze
across their minds so that they have no proper perception, in a
doctrinal sense, of right and wrong. In other words, they cannot see
truly. The sad thing is that many of them love the closet of darkness,
for where there is no light, little is revealed and so little is seemingly
required of them by God. This in their willing ignorance appeals to
them. It is, however, totally wrong.
JOHN 3:19 And this is the condemnation (verdict), that
Light is come into the world (Jesus is the Light Who has
come), and men loved darkness (sin) rather than light
(they reject the Light), because their deeds were evil
(they are sinners desiring to sin).
JOHN 3:20 For every one who does evil hates the
Light, neither comes to the Light, lest his deeds should
be reproved (exposed and revealed for what they are).
JOHN 3:21 But he who does (practises) truth (and lives
by it) comes to the Light, that his deeds may be made
manifest (clearly revealed), that they are wrought in
God (have been divinely prompted and done with God’s
help).
Ignorance due to slackness and unbelief is not bliss but sin,
and with it comes not only the stench of hell but also its power to stir
the lusts of the flesh. But again there are those in the Church who
love darkness or part of it more than the light of God’s Word (and
will). Once addicted to this darkness, people crave more, and gather
around themselves teachers who will accommodate their desires (2
Timothy 4:3).
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“. . .The narcotic of darkness is the drug
that puts Pentecostal, Charismatic and
mainline Christians into a stupor,
bringing a haze across their minds. . .”
Many, out of a sense of self-preservation, only allow a certain
level of darkness into their lives. This level of darkness, because of
their self-preservation, will not cause them to forfeit their salvation
but it will cause them to be ineffective and unfruitful as Christians.
They choose only a little of hell/darkness so they can remain saved
but still serve their own wants and fears.
If one does not fill one’s life, however, with what God’s desires
for them, then all that remains is for man to rule his own life from
the beach on which he has built his kingdom of self-rule. Then with
one storm, or even a high tide, the sand on which his desires rest will
be washed away. Great is the ruin of a life built on these sands.
Only on the rock of God’s Word and will can a life be worthwhile
and of value, producing fruit that will have an everlasting effect. No
matter what storm comes against this house contained inside God’s
city, it will not fall (Matthew 7:24-27).
Our lives need to be built on and rooted in God’s Word. The
Bible says that God’s Word is the seed that must be allowed to take
root in the soil of our hearts. Then for this heavenly seed to
germinate in our lives, heavenly water, which brings the spiritual
elements needed to do this, must be applied to the heart of the hearer.
When the Christian does not open up their heart to heaven’s rains
brought by the Holy Spirit, then no word, no crop, no heavenly
manna will be on the table of their heart. With no spiritual food to
digest, the Christian will be spiritually weak, and this will show forth
in their life - in the compromised decisions they make, in the way
they always choose the easy road, in their failure to stand up for what
is right and righteous, etc.
LUKE 8:11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the
Word of God.
LUKE 8:12 Those by the way side are they who hear;
then comes the devil, and takes away the Word out of
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their hearts (because they have little regard for it), lest
they should believe and be saved.
LUKE 8:13 They on the rock are they, who, when they
hear, receive the Word with joy; and these have no root,
who for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall
away.
LUKE 8:14 And that which fell among thorns are they,
who, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked
with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and
bring no fruit to perfection.
God has already given His Word to the Church, but the rain
of the Holy Spirit must germinate the seed of His Word in our hearts.
So first we must seek His seed, and with the Spirit’s help, we must
find that seed. Then we must pray that God will bring the “rain of
His Anointing” upon it. Without all this happening, we will remain
spiritually bankrupt, destitute, empty and hungry. Intellectual mental
assent will never germinate God’s seed - otherwise it would be a
work of self. Because we live in an Age of Grace, self can never be
the source. God must be our Jehovah Jireh, our Provider, in all
things.
Anointing on the Word of God (the heavenly seed) causes a
spiritual “chemical” reaction to take place in the heart of a yielded
Saint. God has chosen that the soil in which He is to bury His
precious seed is to be the hearts of men and women “in Christ.” It is
in Christ that the Father has placed all the heavenly manna we will
ever need - and the real need for us and others is nothing but the
Father’s will. This indeed is the promised land that will not only
give us our seed but also our harvest. So we should seek God’s will
so that, by God’s grace at work in us, we can abundantly receive
from the Lord of the harvest. Then we can praise His Name and
worship Him for the abundance of His Word which has caused our
hearts and minds to be changed and transformed in the Light of love
and power, now and forevermore.
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“. . .Anointing on the Word of God (the
heavenly seed) causes a spiritual
“chemical” reaction to take place in the
heart of a yielded Saint. . .”
Sadly the fleshly lust for more, on whatever plane and to
whatever degree, is the driving force for many Christians to grasp
false doctrine within the Church and so maintain their hearts as
sterile ground in which the true Word of God cannot take root.
Self is promoted when lust is the goal.
God is promoted when God’s will is truly the goal.
Another word for lust is desire, and worldly Christians even use
scripture, taken out of context, of course, to validate their sin. For
example Jesus said:
MARK 11:23 “For verily I say unto you, That
whosoever shall say unto this mountain, ‘Be thou
removed, and be thou cast into the sea;’ and shall not
doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things
which he says shall come to pass; he shall have
whatsoever he says.
MARK 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things
soever you desire, when you pray, believe that you
receive them, and you shall have them.” (When we are
seeking the will of God, we will be desiring what He
desires.) (As is obvious here, the receiving of these
things, whatever they might be, requires relationship, and
that is the key : E.S.B.)
This scripture is often used by carnal Christians to back up all
kinds of material, worldly and temporal desires being supposedly
confessed into existence, all emanating from self-wants rather than
God’s desire for their lives!
Talk about calling evil good, and good evil! (Isaiah 5:20-21).
In self-determining our lives we really become gods. But only
God has this right and the necessary wisdom - being all-knowing,
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all-powerful and all-loving - to daily direct us in the important issues
of our lives. Man was created to rely on God in all things, not on the
flesh with the sin nature enthroned (Galatians 5:17). Many Christians
are taught to pray to the Father with the attitude that God must give
me my desires because they are “good” desires. How ridiculous!
How can man think he can desire rightly within himself? To
trust himself in this is to become totally foolish, i.e. man trying to
become a little god. But this is what is taught as a formula to
“success,” another word that appeals to man’s lusts. We could go on
and on, but we are just bringing this foolishness to the table of
teaching. “Prosperity” teachers promote this approach which then
stirs up the “flesh” in Christians’ lives, and therefore their wants.
This leads them into a form of lust, and diverts their attention and
focus away from what should be their primary aims - to develop their
love-relationship with the Lord and to serve Him in the Kingdom.
Lust in a Christian’s life is built up in that life or rules that life
when a person lacks the desire to seek God’s truth and His will on
every matter through His Word. In fact the reason for every
deception found within the Church is the lack of desire for truth, for
the very reasons we have discussed. Lust is a spiritual drug of
darkness that is addictive. Lust is promoted when the Christian is
told by Christian teachers that our self-wants are our rightful
inheritance, backing up their teaching with scriptures taken out of
context or misinterpreted. When this happens, the Christian is
convinced, rather easily in most cases, and so the fires of lust are
given the fuel to burn to motivate the carnal Christian. Only seeking,
finding and embracing God’s will in all things in our life will
extinguish these fleshy fires and deliver us from the driving need to
self-rule. When this happens, we are delivered by God’s power of
truth and love (in the Name of Jesus, our wonderful Saviour and
Lord) from the spiritual narcotic of darkness at an experiential level.
“. . .Lust in a Christian’s life is built up
in that life or rules that life when a
person lacks the desire to seek God’s
truth and His will on every matter
through His Word. . .”
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SPIRITUAL WARFARE
Background Reading: Ephesians 6:10-18
As Christians, we need to realize that we do not have to
succumb to the wiles of the enemy. Satan uses evil strategies and
ploys to deceive people and keep them in bondage, blinded to the
truth. But the only power Satan retains in Christians’ lives is that
which they give him, through sinning and remaining in ignorance.
It is also essential we realize that in ourselves, we have no power
to defeat the enemy. Many people try to fight the devil in their own
strength - their willpower - and they fail. In Christ, however, when
we are living in harmony with God’s Word, we can allow God’s
power into our lives to defeat the enemy. It is therefore not we who
deal with the devil - rather, it is God’s grace working through us,
energizing us and giving us the power we need.
God’s grace is revealed in the two aspects of His power which
work together for the benefit of His people. The first aspect of His
power is demonstrated through God supplying us with the provisions
we need to run the race of faith. This includes our daily physical
needs, from finances, to protection, to the healing of our body. The
second describes God’s power at work within us so that we are able
to do His will, being empowered to resist the destructive urges of the
world, the flesh (the sin nature) and the devil. This power comes
through the imparted Divine Nature which energizes our human
nature as we submit to the Holy Spirit.
“. . the only power Satan retains in
Christians’ lives is that which they give
him, through sinning and remaining in
ignorance. . ”
If the enemy is causing havoc in a Christian’s life, they need, in
faith, to take authority over that situation in the knowledge of who
they are in Christ. This is done by that person first repenting of any
sin, and so eliminating any legal ground which the enemy may have.
They can then pray to God in Jesus’ Name to remove the devil’s
influence. This can be done by saying, in faith, “In the Name of
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Jesus, I bind the enemy’s influence in this area, and I loose him from
this situation,” as Matthew 18:18 instructs:
MATTHEW 18:18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever
(evil spirit) you shall bind on earth shall be bound in
heaven (by heaven’s power): and whatsoever (evil spirit)
you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven (by
heaven’s power).
By faith, through the prayer of binding and loosing, God’s power
can first immobilize the enemy and then remove his influence from a
particular situation.
Note: Normally one should seek the leading of the Spirit before
undertaking such prayer.
“. . .It is also essential we realize that in
ourselves, we have no power to defeat the
enemy. Many people try to fight the devil
in their own strength - their willpower and they fail. . .”
When we pray in this manner, we are focusing on God and
dealing only with Him. In other words, WE DEAL WITH GOD
AND HE DEALS WITH THE DEVIL. Although we are binding the
enemy in the Name of Jesus, we are, spiritually speaking, in the
throneroom of grace, appropriating God’s power according to His
will through the prayer of binding and loosing. Through our prayer
of faith, God’s power deals with the enemy. Therefore anything done
by us in this regard is carried out by God the Father, through the
Lord Jesus Christ, via the agency of the Holy Spirit. So always
remember, we do not deal directly with the devil. We deal with God
through Jesus Christ, and then God’s power can remove the enemy’s
influence. Again, we have no power in ourselves, but through Jesus
we have access to God’s power, indeed the corporate power of
heaven, to change circumstances - the mountains that confront us
(Matthew 21:21). Remember we also have the power within,
through the Divine Nature, to help us change and develop our
character so that we become more Christ-like.
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It is the devil who blinds people from receiving the glorious
Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is he who deceives and destroys. It is he
who lures people into hell through lust, unbelief, vain philosophy,
religion, fear, etc. We thus need to acknowledge that he is mankind’s
enemy, and treat him accordingly.
Satan was originally an anointed cherub, but now he is “the
Adversary,” “the father of lies” and the one who promotes all that is
evil. He is at enmity with God and hates all that God has created,
especially mankind. Satan delights in deceiving people and drawing
them into hell to experience eternal torment. Therefore we should
use every weapon that God has provided against him. Without faithfilled Christians using the armour and weaponry which God has
given, many more people would be rushing headlong into hell. It is
therefore our responsibility as soldiers of the Cross to become aware
of our enemy’s tactics, and to oppose him to the level of our spiritual
maturity and ability in the Spirit. As we commune with God, He will
lead us in the paths of righteousness, giving us the necessary
weapons of warfare. Always remember, however, in dealing with the
enemy, it is not really us, but us in God, and so God through us Who
accomplishes this purpose. Consequently, all the power and glory
belong to Him.
Therefore we should not become “devil-oriented.” We need to
remember, as we have said, that in spiritual warfare we are dealing
with God, not the enemy and his forces. We also need to remember
that God’s power is so much greater, and that indeed the enemy is a
toothless lion for those who know their authority in Christ and are
walking uprightly before God. So let us strive to always be balanced
in our spiritual warfare, keeping our focus on the Cross, and the love
and power which flows from it to us, day by day.
“. . .It is therefore our responsibility as
soldiers of the Cross to become aware of
our enemy’s tactics, and to oppose him to
the level of our spiritual maturity and
ability in the Spirit. . .”
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DEALING WITH PROBLEMS
Background Reading: Matthew 11:28-30
So if you are experiencing any difficulties in your life, do not
focus on the problem. Rather, focus on the answer - the Word of God
and the power given because of the Cross. When people meditate on
a problem, it can easily become amplified to the point where there
appears to be no solution. As a result, many lose their hope, and their
faith in God to protect them and provide for their needs. In doing so,
they are allowing the enemy to run roughshod over their lives and
their affairs.
We are not saying we should not acknowledge that there is a
problem if one exists in our lives, but we are saying we must seek for
the answer to that problem in Christ.
God teaches throughout His Word that we are to seek Him
diligently. This is especially the case when we are confronted with
problems of any kind. As we seek Him with all our hearts, He will
then reveal the answer to those who are open to Him, this answer
being the truth needed to set us free. For this is His promise:
MATTHEW 7:7 Ask (in faith) and it shall be given you;
seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened
unto you:
MATTHEW 7:8 For every one who (truly) asks
receives; and he who (truly) seeks finds; and to him who
(truly) knocks it shall be opened (assuming the seeker
does so with a sincere heart).
LUKE 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your
Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom (the
love, truth and wisdom of God: Matthew 6:33).
We cannot emphasize strongly enough that each and every
Believer needs to spend time in study and in fellowship with God
each day in order to gain that which is needed to live a successful life
here on earth, pleasing to the Father. And true fellowship comes
through speaking to the Lord, praising and worshipping Him and
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taking quality time to hear the gentle voice of the Spirit. This voice
can come in many ways, but most of the time people will find that
the Lord will speak to them primarily through the scriptures, as they
hear, read and study them.
God is our Heavenly Father and He wants to provide for us.
The main thing we need of course is truth. Through receiving and
acting on the truth of His Word, we will obtain all we need. As
Matthew 6:33 states:
MATTHEW 6:33 . . . seek first the Kingdom of God,
and His righteousness (this gives the “condition” for
God’s Blessings; His interests are to be “first” : E.S.B.);
and all these things (everything you need) shall be added
unto you.
The devil may try to tell us that the Bible is only a book of
religious philosophy and myths. We need, however, to reject his lies
by lifting up God’s Word as truth - truth with the power to deliver
and set free. We can then bring the devil and his lies into subjection
to God’s Word, and he will be placed where he belongs, under Jesus’
feet.
In doing all this, we will be lifting up and glorifying the Name of
Jesus - for the Name of Jesus is mighty! It will certainly set us free,
along with anyone else who wants to partake of the blessings of God.
“. . .When people meditate on a problem,
it can easily become amplified to the
point where there appears to be no
solution. . .”
When we pray to the Father, it is to be in the Name of Jesus, the
Jesus of the Cross, our sacrifice of Atonement. And for our prayers
to be focused and effective, we need a proper understanding of the
Atonement - which is the suffering, death and Resurrection of Jesus.
The Name of Jesus is supreme - it is above all. When the Name
of Jesus is spoken in faith and the conditions are met, everything
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must bow - every circumstance, every sickness, every disease and
every mountain in a person’s life. Indeed the Name of Jesus has
authority over everything, as Philippians 2:10-11 tells us:
PHILIPPIANS 2:10 That at the Name of Jesus every
knee should (must) bow, of things in heaven (angels and
departed Saints), and things in (on) earth (those living
on the earth) and things under the earth (Satan’s forces
and hell’s occupants),
PHILIPPIANS 2:11 And that every tongue should
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the
Father.
To gain victory in our lives, we also need to take up the cross of
self-denial. Along with this again we need to focus on the Cross and
Christ’s finished work, and believe and trust that God has given to us
in Him the new Divine Nature. When a Believer yields to the Holy
Spirit, the energies and graces of the Divine Nature are absorbed in
an experiential way by the human nature, so empowering the Saint to
both desire, and in faith and love to do God’s will, totally and
completely.
PHILIPPIANS 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as you
have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now
much more in my absence, work out your own salvation
with fear and trembling (so that you go on to maturity in
the Lord, not backsliding or stagnating, for your
salvation is your most precious possession).
PHILIPPIANS 2:13 For it is God Who works in you
(through Divine enablement) both to will and to do of
His good pleasure.
It is the grace of the Holy Spirit which will empower us to
work effectively for our Lord. Wuest comments on Philippians 2:1213 in regard to this, and just as importantly, our role in it.
“In verse thirteen we have divine enablement. The saints are to
carry their salvation which God has given them and which thus
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belongs to them, to its ultimate goal, always remembering and
depending upon the fact that it is God who is working in them both
to will and to do of His good pleasure. The word “worketh” in the
Greek means “to energize, to work effectively.” Our words “energy”
and “energize” come from it. The words “to will” are the translation
of a Greek word meaning “to desire,” and refer to a desire that
comes from one’s emotions rather than from one’s reason. It is this
desire to do the good pleasure of God that is produced by divine
energy in the heart of the saint as he definitely subjects himself to the
Holy Spirit’s ministry. It is God the Holy Spirit who energizes the
saint, making him not only willing, but actively desirous of doing
God’s sweet will. But He does not merely leave the saint with the
desire to do His will. He provides the necessary power to do it. This
we have in the words “to do.” The Greek construction implies habit,
the habitual doing of God’s will.
In verse twelve, we have human responsibility, in verse thirteen,
divine enablement, a perfect balance which must be kept if the
Christian life is to be lived at its best. It is not a “let go and let God”
affair. It is a “take hold with God” business. It is a mutual cooperation with the Holy Spirit in an interest and an activity in the
things of God. The saint must not merely rest in the Holy Spirit for
victory over sin and the production of a holy life. He must in
addition to this dependence upon the Spirit, say a positive NO to sin
and exert himself to the doing of the right. Here we have that
incomprehensible and mysterious interaction between the free will of
man and the sovereign grace of God.” 2
(underlines added)
“. . .It is God the Holy Spirit who
energizes the saint, making him not only
willing, but actively desirous of doing
God’s sweet will. . .”
If a Saint does not follow the prescribed order set forth in God’s
Word, they will leave themselves open to attack from the enemy.
But all those who flow in God’s grace are promised power over sin.
Then no agent of the enemy shall succeed! Indeed the power of sin
was broken at the Cross. “It is finished” for all those in Christ, and
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we can now choose to seek and follow after the Spirit of Grace and
Truth.
Another timely warning - if Christians try to seek truth as a
formula to escape from bondages (difficulties, character flaws, areas
of defeat) in their life, without seeking the relationship that the Spirit
desires to have with them, they will ultimately fail. This is because
we need that relationship which is built on the union of two, and
gives us a solid foundation of truth and love. From this stems
everything else pertaining to spiritual life. The love displayed at the
Cross for man still extends today through the ministry of the Holy
Spirit Who was sent to be our Comforter and Teacher. It is He Who
brings the essence of the Father to us so that we may commune with
the Father. It is the Holy Spirit Who would empower us to love,
believe and trust in our Lord - in all things, and at all times.
A formula by itself will not produce freedom. Only the love and
power which flow through relationship, a relationship which is
created at the Cross, will enable the truth to set us free.
GOD’S CONVICTING POWER
Background Reading: Hebrews 4:12-13; John 16:7-15
If we have sin in our lives, God will want to expose it. He can
do this through making us aware of truth - right and wrong and the
answer needed. God, however, does not condemn. He desires to
restore and liberate.
When conviction operates, we will feel guilty of sin. The
answer to this is repentance. Condemnation, on the other hand, will
cause us to feel worthless and hopeless, a state of being for which
there is no remedy. A feeling of condemnation can also cause a man
or woman to rear up in pride and anger, and to try to justify their sin
(as people have done throughout human history). The devil
promotes condemnation, while God, through conviction, tries to
bring us to an awareness of our sin for the purposes of repentance.
When truth is declared, God’s convicting power can show us any
wrong in our lives. This is the reason we must seek truth, no matter
what cost is involved. However, if people react negatively to God’s
convicting power, condemnation can come into operation and cause
them to feel condemned and worthless, or strange as it may seem,
even to become puffed up with pride. The way people react when
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confronted with the truth concerning an area of wrong in their lives
will determine whether or not condemnation can gain legal ground to
operate. To react wrongly can, as we have said, allow condemnation
to operate. To respond with humility and a desire to please God will
produce repentance and subsequent liberation. And this is the
purpose of God’s convicting power. It comes from the Father of
Lights, and shows us the way out of our darkness and ignorance.
“. . .The devil promotes condemnation,
while God, through conviction, tries to
bring us to an awareness of our sin for
the purposes of repentance. . .”
Sometimes when truth is spoken in wisdom, people may not
recognize it as such because of their biased attitudes. We find that
many people are closed off to truth in certain areas because they
cling to traditions, beliefs and ideas that contradict God’s Word. They
hold such concepts in high esteem and are unwilling to consider
anything which may challenge them. Then in rejecting the truth
because it does not line up with their own thinking, they allow
themselves to remain in bondage to such things as fear, sickness,
worry, poverty (spiritual and/or physical), greed, lust, materialism,
etc.
God always wants to reveal truth but for Him to do so, we need
to yield to the Spirit of God by being open to His Word of direction,
correction and deliverance.
Scripture also tells us that if people reject God’s teaching and
seek false teaching which is pleasing to their ears (or senses), their
consciences will become seared, and thus numbed, and alienated
from their thinking processes. They will then be deceived, and cause
others also to be deceived.
1 TIMOTHY 4:1 Now the Spirit speaks expressly
(clearly, pointedly), that in the latter times (towards the
end of the Church Age which is now) some shall depart
from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits (evil
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spirits of deception and religion), and doctrines of devils
(doctrines inspired by demons and taught by men);
1 TIMOTHY 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having
their conscience seared with a hot iron (this refers to the
teachers of these demonic doctrines);
2 TIMOTHY 4:3 For the time will come when they will
not endure sound doctrine (fundamental Bible teachings
- the Cross, the Blood, repentance from sin, ongoing
sanctification, etc.); but after their own lusts shall they
(so-called Christians) heap to themselves teachers (of
false doctrine), having itching ears (to hear what their
flesh craves);
2 TIMOTHY 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears
from the truth (because they don’t want to hear it), and
shall be turned unto fables (myths, lies, deception).
If we reject or remain ignorant of God’s Word, we will
remain in whatever bondage holds us captive. So it pays to find out
what life’s boundaries are, i.e. the way God wants us to live. In this
way we can walk before Him in the freedom Christ has won for us.
And when we walk in freedom and spiritual strength, we will be in a
far better position to help others - both in leading people to salvation,
and helping others progress in the Kingdom of God.
If God reveals that we have sin in our lives, the sin nature, in
that area, will have once again ascended the throne. Therefore we
will need to take account of ourselves and address the problem. We
will need to make sure we are doing all the Lord has commanded.
We will also need to review our priorities, and see how much or how
little we are committed to Him.
Note: God may reveal things to us through an inner witness or
through other people. Whether or not these people are ministers does
not matter - we should always be open to correction and teaching. In
this way, our minds can be renewed and we can live productive and
consistent Christian lives.
We need to take all things that are new, and of which we are a
little unsure, to the prayer closet, so that we can ask the Lord to
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reveal the truth concerning these things - whether they be right or
wrong. This may take a commitment to seek and study, so that with
the help of the Holy Spirit, illumination may come.
“. . .If we reject or remain ignorant of
God’s Word, we will remain in whatever
bondage holds us captive. . .”
We should always be open to the Lord’s direction, so that He
can show us any problems in our lives and we can then make the
necessary changes. Acknowledgement of any weakness or problem is
the first step and this needs to be followed by true repentance. Then
we can go on in God, not being held back by any past failures or
ongoing weaknesses.
So it is wise to position oneself in regard to righteous living, and
to be open to God’s convicting power - for when acted upon, this will
bring the peace of God that passes all natural understanding into our
lives. This will continue as we take up our cross of self-denial on a
daily basis and follow Christ.
PHILIPPIANS 4:7 And the peace of God, which passes
(goes beyond) all (human) understanding, shall keep
(and fill) your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
This is the wage of living God’s way. We have peace of mind
from the knowledge of who we are in Christ. This gives us
confidence. With this knowledge, we can properly focus so as to
flow in the power of God, yielding to the Holy Spirit so that the
graces and energies of the Divine Nature become available to us to
do God’s will. From this position, we are more able to help other
people come to know the truth and walk in freedom. Indeed God is
calling all of us to live in His Word of deliverance so we can be
cleansed vessels, fit for our Master’s use:
2 TIMOTHY 2:20 But in a great house there are not
only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and
of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
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2 TIMOTHY 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself
from these (attitudes and deeds of the flesh), he shall be
a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet (fit) for the
Master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
As Wuest puts it so clearly:
“The Christian who does not maintain a real interest in and
hunger for the Word of God, and satisfy both by a constant study of
that Word, is not co-operating with the Spirit, and is not giving the
Spirit an opportunity to work in his life and cause him to grow in the
Christian graces. The Spirit works through the Word of God that we
have stored in our hearts, and not apart from it.
Likewise, the believer who does not actively participate in the
activity necessary to the saying of YES to the will of God and of NO
to sin, is not co-operating with the Spirit. And the Christian who
does not engage in a Holy Spirit directed ministry of some kind in
the work of furthering the knowledge of the Word of God, is not cooperating with the Spirit. It is this ideal combination of a moment by
moment trust in, submission to, and dependence upon the ministry of
the Holy Spirit, and the constant interest in and participation with
the Holy Spirit in the things of God, that produces the best results in
the Christian’s experience. This combination develops Christian men
and women with a sense of responsibility, with moral courage and
stamina of a high order, with a balance and poise that weathers the
severest storms, with a delicate sense of tact that enables them to
move among their fellowmen without riding roughshod over their
tender hearts, but rather in a loving way so that their passing leaves
a sense of the presence of the Lord Jesus. It develops spiritual giants,
men and women who can be trusted in a time of crisis.” 3
(underlines added)
These men and women, led and empowered by the Spirit, will
discern truth from error.
May you have the victory in Christ.
32
For further information or teaching material to help you grow in
the Christian faith, please visit:
CROSSROADS INTERNATIONAL
FULL GOSPEL MINISTRIES
crossroadsministries.org.au
33
NOTES
34
1
2
3
Kevin Conner and Ken Malmin, Interpreting the Scriptures,
pgs.15 and 18.
Wuest, K. S., Word Studies in the Greek New Testament,
Philippians.
Wuest, K. S., Word Studies in the Greek New Testament,
Untranslatable Riches from the Greek New Testament,
pg.113.