Scripture and Spirit
Theme of the week: Put the Spirit in Charge
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
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Key Bible Verse: "The Spirit will bring glory to me by taking my message and telling it to you." (John 16:14, CEV) Dig Deeper: John 16:1-15
The body of Christ is often divided into two sides. One side stresses the Word of God, separating itself from what it views as the emotional fanaticism often linked to those emphasizing the work of the Holy Spirit. The other side is sometimes known for drifting into unbiblical teaching attributed to the Spirit of God.
Seeing the abuse and bad teaching, many on the first side will say, "I'm not interested in experiences and manifestations of the Holy Spirit. I just want to study the Word." But it was the Holy Spirit who inspired the Bible. How can anyone treasure God's Word without giving the Holy Spirit his rightful place?
To those who move in circles strongly emphasizing the Holy Spirit, they must be reminded that everything must be tested by Scripture. The Spirit never contradicts the Word he gave us. He also never puts the focus on the preacher, because the Holy Spirit was sent to glorify Christ alone (Key Bible Verse).
Somewhere in the middle is the kind of Christianity we see in Scripture where the Word of God is honored along with a childlike dependence and openness to the Holy Spirit.
—Jim Cymbala in Spirit Rising
My Response: What does my church believe about the Holy Spirit? If I'm not sure, I will talk to my pastor, my small group leader, or my Sunday school teacher.
Thought to Apply: The Spirit breathes upon the Word, and brings the truth to sight.—William Cowper (British poet, hymn writer)
Adapted from Spirit Rising (Zondervan, 2012) by permission. All rights reserved by the copyright holder and/or the publisher. May not be reproduced.
Copyright © 2012 by Christianity Today/Men of Integrity magazine. Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity. 1 of 1
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Heavenly Father, fill me and empower me with your Spirit so I may demonstrate spiritual fruit (Gal. 5:22-23) at home, at work, and wherever your Spirit leads me.
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