"The Decent of the Holy Ghost" c 1545, by Tiziano Vecellio (better known as Titian).
I was watching a video of some of the "goings on" in Lakeland, Florida. It seems that many would have us believe that there is a tremendous outpouring of God's spirit and people are being healed by the hundreds.
When I saw the leader of this particular circus act describe how the Holy Spirit was leading him to kick an elderly woman, seated in the front row of the auditorium, in the face with his army boots, I thought....Hmmmm...this is clearly not the work of the Holy Spirit. The work of a spirit perhaps! But certainly not the Holy Spirit.
So...how are we to discern a true work of the Holy Spirit?
1 John 4:1, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world."
The scriptures teach us that Satan's most powerful tools, in seeking to defeat believers in Christ, are deceit and confusion. Therefore, we are called to discern the messages and actions of those claiming to represent Christ.
Dr. John MacArthur has just completed a five part condensed, adapted and excerpted answer to this very question taken from Jonathan Edwards' The Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Holy Spirit of God.
These short and concise articles are important messages for our understanding. They help us to understand that a work is from the Holy Spirit when:
- It exalts the True Christ
- It Opposes Satan's Interests
- It Points People to the Scriptures
- It Elevates Truth
- It Results in Love for God and Others
Whenever we encounter people who claim to represent Christ, we must have the understanding of 1 John 4:1 (above) in our hearts, and reach into our quiver for these five arrows of truth regarding God's Holy Spirit.
Do not be deceived brothers and sisters!
