Do you realize that the Christians are the biggest threat to the evildoers in this world?
Do you know why?
The main reason is because the believers - especially the Spirit-filled believers - by the power of the Holy Spirit see right through their deceptive ways.
Whenever people in our nation become "suspicious" of current events, there are those who immediately cry out - "Oh, here come the conspiracy theorists." (This is "a contemptuous term used primarily by the main stream media to slander anyone who questions their monopoly on truth." - Urban Dictionary)
That may be true for some, but it certainly is not true for the believers - especially the Spirit-filled believers. (And oftentimes, it is not true for the "suspicious" ones either. In many instances, you will find that those who are or were "deceitful" at one time in their life can easily detect "deceit" in others; someone who is "street smart" can easily recognize a "crook" in others, etc.)
Nonetheless, when it comes to the believers in Christ Jesus, more is involved than simple "suspicion." These who are "children of light" or "children of the day" (1 Thessalonians 5:5) - and by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit - "know no man after the flesh" (2 Corinthians 5:16) but after the "Spirit" - no longer form their estimate of ... judge ... or are influenced by the "flesh." Their estimate of persons or things is not formed by the views taken by others. They now operate according to the "Spirit."
I am sure that many of you can give examples of how you "knew no man after the flesh" but after the "Spirit." Allow me to share two personal instances.
Several years ago, in a major department store, I saw one of the managers walking toward me. As he drew closer, I saw written across his forehead the word - "Adulterer." I never saw this man before and did not even know his name. Obviously, this was something shown to me "in the spirit." It turned out that this young man was on his second marriage and had children to different women throughout the city.
Again, several years ago, while watching a Preacher on a major Christian network, I had a similar experience. I saw the word - "Adulterer" - written across his forehead. It turned out that this man was involved in much perversion and sexual sin.
I am sure that you have had similar experiences where you heard of some major news story or event, and while the media was reporting one thing, in your spirit, you were hearing the words - "That's a lie!" Or you may have looked upon a Political Figure who was even talking about the Bible and prayer, or using the words - "God Bless America!" - and in your spirit, you were feeling - "He or she does not mean a word of it! There is Major Deception operating here! This is flat-out hypocrisy!"
Is God speaking to you here? Is this how He operates? How can you know for sure?
In this message, by using the word of God, I want to show you how the Holy Spirit can and will operate - especially when you are in the midst of "liars" or "deceitful" people.
Psalm 25:14 says - "The secret of the LORD is with them that fear Him; and He will show them His covenant."
This Scripture is teaching that those who firmly and properly reverence the LORD - are His true worshippers...are like-minded with Him...and see eye-to-eye with Him - are permitted into a holy and vital communion with Him whereby they partake of His counsels.
The particular words - "the secret of the LORD"- can best be interpreted as that which cannot be known unless the Lord reveals it. To those who "fear" Him, He opens His mind and heart to them. In other words, He allows them to "see" as He sees - which oftentimes makes this "secret of the LORD" a "secret" of safety, strength, and peace for them.
The Pulpit Commentary explained it in this way - "God opens His mind to those who love Him. He lets them into His secrets. They are in the way of light, and evermore, as they advance, the light shines on them more fully ....This has been the experience of God's people in all ages. Abraham in his tent, David with his flocks, Daniel in the king's palace, the apostle in the dungeon at Philippi, - all have felt alike that God reveals Himself to those who truly serve Him."
1 John 4:6 says - "We are of God...Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error."
The believers are the chosen of God...the children of God...and the regenerated ones who have the Spirit of God and speak and teach by Him. Hence, they can discern those who embrace the truth from those who do not. They see right through the world's pretensions. And they can easily detect the deceiving spirit in operation.
John 16:13 explains how this is possible - "Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth...and He will show you things to come."
The Holy Spirit is given to all believers to "guide" them or show them the "truth" - the "truth" that is necessary to be known or that is useful and profitable for them.
In 1 Corinthians 12, we find the nine (9) gifts of the Spirit - one of which is - "discerning of spirits" (1 Corinthians 12:10). Verse 7 of this same chapter indicates that this gift (along with the others) is for the use, advantage, and common good of all believers - "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal."
But, what exactly is the "gift" of "discerning of spirits"? What does it entail? How important is it in the day in which we are living?
This "gift" refers to the power of searching into the secrets of the heart - enabling Spirit-filled believers to discern the hearts of men - their thoughts, purposes, designs, secret dissimulation, and hypocrisy. It enables them to know a man's true views and feelings and to determine by what spirit he is speaking. It enables them to discern the real qualifications of a person for an office. Last, but certainly not least, it enables them to determine between God's operation, Satan's, or man's - to discover whether one is actuated by the Spirit of God, an evil spirit, or his own inflated spirit.
Peter's dealing with Ananias and Sapphira furnishes a perfect illustration of this "gift" in operation.
It was the intent of Ananias to deceive. There was no way of detecting his intent - except that it was revealed to Peter by the Spirit of God.
Acts 5:3 states - "But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?"
Satan, the Master Deceiver, was in operation here. Ananias was under his influence and malice. By divine revelation or by the spirit of discerning, Peter was given the ability to read the secrets of Ananias' heart and to know by what spirit he was actuated.
Satan "filled" his heart. Barnes' Notes explained it in this way - "A man's 'heart" or 'mind' is 'full' of a thing when he is 'intent on it', when he is strongly 'impelled to it'; or when he is fully occupied with it. The expression here means that he was 'strongly impelled' or 'excited' by Satan to this crime."
It was Satan who emboldened Ananias to commit this act of deception. It was he who suggested it to Ananias, put it into his head, and then hurried him on with the resolution to do it.
However, both Satan and Ananias failed to remember with Whom Peter was "filled" ; in other words, Who had control of Peter. It was none other than the Holy Spirit - the "Spirit of truth."
Once again, I ask you - Do you realize that the Christians - especially the Spirit-filled believers - are the biggest threat to the evildoers in this world?
There is no "conspiracy theory" here. Neither can it be classified as "suspicion."
The believers "know no man after the flesh" but after the "Spirit." "The secret of the LORD is with them" because they "fear" Him. "They are of God," hence they can discern those who are true from those who are false. The Holy Spirit - "the Spirit of truth" - shows them the "truth" that is necessary to be known or that is useful and profitable for them. Through His "gift" of "discerning of spirits," they are enabled to know exactly what is in a man's heart and to know by what spirit he is operating.
In the world today, as a believer, you are surrounded by"deceit" on every side. (Jeremiah 9:6) But God has given you His Holy Spirit - "the Spirit of Truth" - to help you.
The Pulpit Commentary said - "Great as is the power of evil which is in the world, there is a greater power in believers."
Whatever you do - do not disregard what He is showing you.
May God Bless His Word,
Connie
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. (Isaiah 54:17)
© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved