As one reads through the book of 1 John, it is all about that - loving our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ!!! Because we need that message! Because this is not an easy or natural thing to do!
Even when we want to love each other, we wind up fighting and hurting each other. It very often becomes the battle of the "right-fighters" - who is right??? The right person has to win. And those people who are trying win feel like they have cornered the market of the Holy Spirit's guidance.
Something that would help us sort through these issues is to "test the spirits"...
(1 John 4:1-6) Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world. 4 You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. 5 They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
Okay! So what does that look like EXACTLY! How do we know that a "spirit" is from God?
As believers, we all want to be lead by the Holy Spirit, but often what we hear is not from the Holy Spirit - it is of another spirit. Whether it is an actual demon whispering lies in our ears, or if it is a person encouraging us to believe and live a lie, or it is our own lustful, sinful thoughts determined to get our own way - - - it can be quite easy to get off track.
So I want to do some digging in order to get a sense of all this "spirit" stuff.
First of all, each person is made up of a body, spirit and soul. The body is merely a vessel for our spirit and soul. When we physically die, our spirit and soul leaves the body. If the soul is empty, void of God, the spirit and soul goes to hell.
So it is our spirit (our minds) which control our bodies (our actions). The spirit would be our "mind" which would encompasses the essence of who we are...
(James 2:26) For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
We then can begin to see more why life is a "spiritual" battle! The Bible (God's word) is able to lead a person's spirit to a realization that their soul needs Jesus...
(Hebrews 4:12) For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
When Jesus came to earth in flesh to pay for all sins, He died in the flesh, and was resurrected in the spirit...
(1 Peter 3:18) For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit
When we put our faith in Jesus, we die to our flesh (our sin) and our spirits are made alive in Him. Our spirit makes the decision, and our souls are then sealed with the Holy Spirit. So when we do leave our physical bodies, our spirit and soul will be going to heaven - guaranteed...
(Ephesians 1:13-14) In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.
As believers, we share the same "spirit" of faith - like - having the same "mind" - all pursuing to have the mind of Christ...
(2 Corinthians 4:13-15) But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed, therefore I spoke,” we also believe, therefore we also speak, 14 knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.
(Romans 15:5) Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus
Because we are believers, and want to be Christ-like, we should desire (NOT to live in the flesh) but to live in the spirit according to God's will...
(1 Peter 4:1-6) Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3 For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. 4 In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.
We will still struggle with our flesh and sin, so to remain obedient to God's will, we need to continuously search ourselves and confess our sins. NOT to keep ourselves saved, because we cannot lose our salvation, but in order to continue reaping the blessings of God as we go through struggles, tests and trials.
Our struggles with obedience occurs not only with our bodies, but in our minds (in our spirit)...
(2 Corinthians 7:1) Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Part of being vigilantly obedient to God's will is staying "sober" (alert and awake) in the spirit...
(1 Peter 4:7) The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.
(1 Peter 5:8) Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
We should pray that we stand firm in one spirit...
(Philippians 1:17) Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel
We should pray for a spirit of wisdom...
(Ephesians 1:17) that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.
We should pray for a spirit of gentleness... (Galatians 6:1, Philippians 4:5, 1 Peter 3:4)
(Galatians 6:1) Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.
(1 Peter 3:4) but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.
(Philippians 4:5) Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
Because we are believers, and want to be Christ-like, we should desire (NOT to live in the flesh) but to live in the spirit according to God's will...
(1 Peter 4:1-6) Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3 For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. 4 In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.
We will still struggle with our flesh and sin, so to remain obedient to God's will, we need to continuously search ourselves and confess our sins. NOT to keep ourselves saved, because we cannot lose our salvation, but in order to continue reaping the blessings of God as we go through struggles, tests and trials.
Our struggles with obedience occurs not only with our bodies, but in our minds (in our spirit)...
(2 Corinthians 7:1) Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Part of being vigilantly obedient to God's will is staying "sober" (alert and awake) in the spirit...
(1 Peter 4:7) The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.
(1 Peter 5:8) Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
We should pray that we stand firm in one spirit...
(Philippians 1:17) Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel
(Ephesians 1:17) that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.
We should pray for a spirit of gentleness... (Galatians 6:1, Philippians 4:5, 1 Peter 3:4)
(Galatians 6:1) Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.
(1 Peter 3:4) but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.
(Philippians 4:5) Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
Just because we are to be gentle, does not mean that we should be timid...
(2 Timothy 1:7) For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
And we should not do anything with a spirit of partiality (favoritism). We are to treat everyone as equals...
(1 Timothy 5:21) I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality.
AND NOW - in order to test the spirits - it would help us to know:
THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT ! ! !
Here is one of those prime examples of where God shows us the negatives, along with the positives. So when our spirits walk with the Holy Spirit - we will recognize and practice the positives...
From this we see:
- the body is only a vessel to hold our spirit and soul, the spirit being the mind and essence of who we are (James 2:26)
- God's word is able to lead a person's spirit to realize that their soul needs Jesus (Hebrews 4:12)
- Jesus died in the flesh and was raised in the spirit to pay for sins (1 Peter 3:18)
- when we put our faith in Jesus, we die to our flesh (our sin) and our spirits are made alive in Him. Our spirit makes the decision, and our souls are then sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14)
- all believers share the same spirit of faith (2 Corinthians 4:13)
- all believers should pursue having the same mind according to Christ (Romans 15:5)
- wanting to be Christ-like, believers should desire (NOT to live in the flesh) but to live in the spirit according to God's will (1 Peter 4:1-6)
- to remain obedient to God's will, confess all sins that we commit in our flesh as well as in our spirit/our mind (2 Corinthians 7:1)
- to remain obedient to God's will, stay "sober" (alert and awake) in the spirit (1 Peter 4:7, 5:8)
- pray that we stand firm in one spirit (Philippians 1:27)
- pray for a spirit of wisdom (Ephesians 1:17)
- pray for a spirit of gentleness (Galatians 6:1, Philippians 4:5, 1 Peter 3:4)
- know God so that you are able to know the difference between the spirits of truth and the spirits of error (1 John 4:6)
- live and walk by the Holy Spirit so we will produce the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)
Personal experience: while going through a few "battles" in church, where brothers and sisters are hurting and fighting each other, I've noticed something...
If we ask ourselves, "Is this right? Is this from God? Is this to build up the Church and encourage our fellow believers?" It can be quite easy to justify our actions and say, "Why yes it is, because if I don't point out this thing, then the church or this person will be in trouble." blah blah blah...
BUT sometimes if we ask ourselves - in the negative, "Is this helping to tear down the church and discourage our fellow believers?" This question can open our eyes to the divisive nature of the situation and see that our actions are not edifying or encouraging at all.
In scriptures, we see that God often uses both the negative - along with the positive. That way we can see things from both angles.
Today's takeaway: as we get to know God better, we can better recognize Him and His will. The indwelling Holy Spirit is there to guide us to know what truth is, because He is truth!...
(1 John 4:7--13) Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.
(1 John 5:5-6) Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.
(2 Timothy 1:7) For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
And we should not do anything with a spirit of partiality (favoritism). We are to treat everyone as equals...
(1 Timothy 5:21) I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality.
AND NOW - in order to test the spirits - it would help us to know:
THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT ! ! !
Here is one of those prime examples of where God shows us the negatives, along with the positives. So when our spirits walk with the Holy Spirit - we will recognize and practice the positives...
(Galatians 5:13-26) For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.
From this we see:
- the body is only a vessel to hold our spirit and soul, the spirit being the mind and essence of who we are (James 2:26)
- God's word is able to lead a person's spirit to realize that their soul needs Jesus (Hebrews 4:12)
- Jesus died in the flesh and was raised in the spirit to pay for sins (1 Peter 3:18)
- when we put our faith in Jesus, we die to our flesh (our sin) and our spirits are made alive in Him. Our spirit makes the decision, and our souls are then sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14)
- all believers share the same spirit of faith (2 Corinthians 4:13)
- all believers should pursue having the same mind according to Christ (Romans 15:5)
- wanting to be Christ-like, believers should desire (NOT to live in the flesh) but to live in the spirit according to God's will (1 Peter 4:1-6)
- to remain obedient to God's will, confess all sins that we commit in our flesh as well as in our spirit/our mind (2 Corinthians 7:1)
- to remain obedient to God's will, stay "sober" (alert and awake) in the spirit (1 Peter 4:7, 5:8)
- pray that we stand firm in one spirit (Philippians 1:27)
- pray for a spirit of wisdom (Ephesians 1:17)
- pray for a spirit of gentleness (Galatians 6:1, Philippians 4:5, 1 Peter 3:4)
- just because we are to be gentle, does not mean that we should be timid (2 Timothy 1:7)
- do nothing with a spirit of partiality (favoritism), treat everyone as equals (1 Timothy 5:21)
- test every spirit and only believe IF it is from God (1 John 4:1)- know God so that you are able to know the difference between the spirits of truth and the spirits of error (1 John 4:6)
- live and walk by the Holy Spirit so we will produce the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)
Personal experience: while going through a few "battles" in church, where brothers and sisters are hurting and fighting each other, I've noticed something...
If we ask ourselves, "Is this right? Is this from God? Is this to build up the Church and encourage our fellow believers?" It can be quite easy to justify our actions and say, "Why yes it is, because if I don't point out this thing, then the church or this person will be in trouble." blah blah blah...
BUT sometimes if we ask ourselves - in the negative, "Is this helping to tear down the church and discourage our fellow believers?" This question can open our eyes to the divisive nature of the situation and see that our actions are not edifying or encouraging at all.
In scriptures, we see that God often uses both the negative - along with the positive. That way we can see things from both angles.
Today's takeaway: as we get to know God better, we can better recognize Him and His will. The indwelling Holy Spirit is there to guide us to know what truth is, because He is truth!...
(1 John 4:7--13) Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.
(1 John 5:5-6) Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.
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