The Steering Spirit

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"When the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all truth" (Jn 16:13a)

Let us meditate today on the second means of discernment of the spirits, namely the Holy Spirit. The Lord Jesus introduced the Holy Spirit as our Helper and Guide. As the "Spirit of Truth," He will guide us into all truth (Jn 16:13).

The Holy Spirit indwells every believer and He infills the thirsty. There will be an uncomfortable feeling within when the teaching we hear or the manifestation we see is not from God. This was stated so clearly by apostle John: "These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him" (1 Jn 2:26,27). This passage does not refer to the teaching ministry in the Church for the growth of God's children (Eph 4:11-13). Rather, this specifically refers to the false teachers "who try to deceive you."

It is the Holy Spirit who has forewarned us against "deceiving spirits" and "doctrines of demons" (1 Tim 4:1). When some sensible believer tries to discern a strange phenomenon or a manifestation observed in a Christian gathering, he is instantly accused that he is grieving the Holy Spirit! He is threatened of the "unpardonable sin!" This is what gives immeasurable advantage to Lucifer. It is not the hesitation to accept spurious manifestations that grieves the Holy Spirit, rather the embracing of questionable things, because He is the Spirit of "Truth."

Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 points out three actions which will quench the Spirit. (1) Outrightly condemning all prophetic utterances; (2) Failure to verify all things whether they are good or false; (3) Embracing questionable things. Paul had a fear that the Greek paganism had some infiltration in the Church life of the Thessalonians (3:5). The promoters of the current revival movements usually point out the first action listed above, to silence analytical thinkers. I believe that the actions two and three are far more weighty in grieving the gentle Dove of God. Passive acceptance of spiritually sounding phenomena, without an objective analysis prompted by the indwelling Spirit, will ultimately "quench" Him. Once the Holy Spirit is quenched, all other spirits are quickened to have a sway. How serious! The Holy Spirit cannot silently be watching us flirting with other spirits. He is jealous!

Come, Holy Ghost, for, moved by Thee the prophets wrote and spoke;
Unlock the truth, Thyself the Key, unseal the sacred Book!
(Charles Wesley, 1707-1788, composer of over 7000 hymns)

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