To avoid hogging all the space here; I will conclude here for now.
As with a computer hacker and viruses used to take down a system; we need to be familiar with the toolbox the enemy has and his tactics. A general statement is that he uses possession for some not in the faith; and oppression for believers as the "complimentary" tactic. Satan is what I call the "equal opportunity destroyer". If outright persecution fails; he then resorts to false doctrine. If that fails he will dangle a carrot in front of us; then accuse us once we take the bait. He will use our own weaknesses over and over again through our thoughts; he will use people to accuse us if that doesn't work and circumstances to overwhelm us; music and entertainment to mesmerize us; news of the world to grip us with fear; etc. The sword of the Spirit is said to be the only offensive weapon available to us ( Ephesians 6:11-12). Of course to use that all of our defensive armor and gear needs to be present and accounted for as an active element in our daily battles.
It would be nice to see churches that would really see themselves as Churchill for example did in the war room when he said "we will fight in the trenches; etc. we will never surrender" The odds may appear against us in the battle but Christ has already won the war. Death itself for the saint is a victory ( Psalm 116:15) as well as precious in His sight. We have overcome the second death through His atonement ( Rev. 2:11). The world system run by Satanic forces tries to convince us that might is right; we through pride continue to ride out the dreams of victory through man's efforts; and other such sentiment. This world is not our home; we are aliens in this life and pilgrims ( Eph. 2:12). We are already seated in heavenly places ( Eph. 2:4-6) with Christ our High Priest ever interceding for us ( Heb. 4:14-16). Let us faithfully follow the captain of our salvation to the end ( Heb. 2:9-10) Agape
It seems you gave a fine description of the ministry of the Holyspirit.
TRUTH.
He is reveals. John 16:13.
He discerns. 1 Corinthians 2:14-15.
This is the work of God functioning in the inner man and displaying outwardly in believers.
" Worshipping in truth and in Spirit"
John 4:23.
Philippians 2:13.
I believe this takes denying ourselves and submission.
And when HE is present WE bares fruit.
This is practical, not a manifestation of the flesh. "Man doesn't WILL it to happen.
In fact as he matures I don't think he can keep it from happening.
Matthew 7:16-20. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
A GOOD TREE CANNOT BRING FORTH EVIL FRUIT, NEITHER CAN A CORRUPT TREE BRING FORTH GOOD FRUIT.
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
I believe when we exhibit this spirit efficient fruit then we are able to exhibit our gift. (Christ) in us and we in him.
Ephesians 4:11-15. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
The battle against devil (and all sort of things that are enemies in our lives) is definitely against man if God is not present. But when God is present the result is definetely for us. But one needs "eyes of faith" to see God standing next to him.
I heard something really good today in the morning service. It was about David and Goliath. If there wasn't any faith in David, when he first saw Goliath he would have thought "Whow how big he is, I can not possibly beat him", but looking through his eyes of faith, he thought "Whow how big he is, I can not possibly miss him". GBU
Dear Richard, Thanks for such good commentary on spiritual discernment. It resonated with me today. Don't worry about "hogging" space on here since such space really is very vast. We do need in-depth presentation of spiritual topics at times and I appreciate your doing so here.
As for exercising discernment, I agree that spending times in prayer and fasting before acting to what one thinks is the move of the Spirit towards another person is wise practice. I, for one, would take the time to really seek God about dealing with another person in a way that may seem negative to them as I would want both myself and the other person to be prepared by the Holy Spirit for such an encounter. Certainly, if someone is so distressed that they would ask me for help, I would gladly step in and pray with and for them with boldness and certainty that God will act mercifully in this persons' life and accomplish His will to destroy the works of the enemy in this person.
Being used by God to participate in this work is really awesome and humbling. Often when is called to do so, one usually realizes their own spiritual weakness and need for Gods power, their own sinfulness and need for holiness before God, and a deep concern for the welfare of the other person, not wishing to bring any harm or discouragement to them, but to lift them up instead.
To avoid hogging all the space here; I will conclude here for now.
As with a computer hacker and viruses used to take down a system; we need to be familiar with the toolbox the enemy has and his tactics. A general statement is that he uses possession for some not in the faith; and oppression for believers as the "complimentary" tactic. Satan is what I call the "equal opportunity destroyer". If outright persecution fails; he then resorts to false doctrine. If that fails he will dangle a carrot in front of us; then accuse us once we take the bait. He will use our own weaknesses over and over again through our thoughts; he will use people to accuse us if that doesn't work and circumstances to overwhelm us; music and entertainment to mesmerize us; news of the world to grip us with fear; etc. The sword of the Spirit is said to be the only offensive weapon available to us ( Ephesians 6:11-12). Of course to use that all of our defensive armor and gear needs to be present and accounted for as an active element in our daily battles.
It would be nice to see churches that would really see themselves as Churchill for example did in the war room when he said "we will fight in the trenches; etc. we will never surrender" The odds may appear against us in the battle but Christ has already won the war. Death itself for the saint is a victory ( Psalm 116:15) as well as precious in His sight. We have overcome the second death through His atonement ( Rev. 2:11). The world system run by Satanic forces tries to convince us that might is right; we through pride continue to ride out the dreams of victory through man's efforts; and other such sentiment. This world is not our home; we are aliens in this life and pilgrims ( Eph. 2:12). We are already seated in heavenly places ( Eph. 2:4-6) with Christ our High Priest ever interceding for us ( Heb. 4:14-16). Let us faithfully follow the captain of our salvation to the end ( Heb. 2:9-10) Agape
It seems you gave a fine description of the ministry of the Holyspirit.
TRUTH.
He is reveals. John 16:13.
He discerns. 1 Corinthians 2:14-15.
This is the work of God functioning in the inner man and displaying outwardly in believers.
" Worshipping in truth and in Spirit"
John 4:23.
Philippians 2:13.
I believe this takes denying ourselves and submission.
And when HE is present WE bares fruit.
This is practical, not a manifestation of the flesh. "Man doesn't WILL it to happen.
In fact as he matures I don't think he can keep it from happening.
Matthew 7:16-20. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
A GOOD TREE CANNOT BRING FORTH EVIL FRUIT, NEITHER CAN A CORRUPT TREE BRING FORTH GOOD FRUIT.
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
I believe when we exhibit this spirit efficient fruit then we are able to exhibit our gift. (Christ) in us and we in him.
Ephesians 4:11-15. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
God bless.
The battle against devil (and all sort of things that are enemies in our lives) is definitely against man if God is not present. But when God is present the result is definetely for us. But one needs "eyes of faith" to see God standing next to him.
I heard something really good today in the morning service. It was about David and Goliath. If there wasn't any faith in David, when he first saw Goliath he would have thought "Whow how big he is, I can not possibly beat him", but looking through his eyes of faith, he thought "Whow how big he is, I can not possibly miss him". GBU
As for exercising discernment, I agree that spending times in prayer and fasting before acting to what one thinks is the move of the Spirit towards another person is wise practice. I, for one, would take the time to really seek God about dealing with another person in a way that may seem negative to them as I would want both myself and the other person to be prepared by the Holy Spirit for such an encounter. Certainly, if someone is so distressed that they would ask me for help, I would gladly step in and pray with and for them with boldness and certainty that God will act mercifully in this persons' life and accomplish His will to destroy the works of the enemy in this person.
Being used by God to participate in this work is really awesome and humbling. Often when is called to do so, one usually realizes their own spiritual weakness and need for Gods power, their own sinfulness and need for holiness before God, and a deep concern for the welfare of the other person, not wishing to bring any harm or discouragement to them, but to lift them up instead.
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