THE HOLY SPIRIT

The goose bumps you feel during a "worship" song or that feeling you get down deep may not be the Holy Spirit. (I get goose bumps when I listen to rock music and I've been told that it is the devil's music!) I've also had those feelings down deep that tell me that I should do this or that. How can I tell if the Spirit is "moving" me or if it is really my own desires? Here's the answer: The Holy Spirit speaks Truth to us. He is the one moving us to Truth as we read God's Word. He is not a feeling or a 'hunch.' He is not the provider of emotion or special tricks (tongues, healing, predictions, etc..) He guides us into all Truth! The Holy Spirit will only lead us to Truth. We can only confirm the Truth that is in the Bible. The Holy Spirit will not lead us to anything but Christ. He is not a crystal ball we consult to tell our future or give us advice to help or improve our lives. We obliterate the true work of the Spirit when we selfishly use Him to confirm our feelings and motives. It is also an egregious offense to use the special tricks mentioned above to "prove" you have the Spirit or maybe sadder still, to prove to yourself that you have Him. If you trust in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, you have the Spirit. You have been given it all! Don't look for it in the daily events of life, just know that you have it. You don't need to pray for it. You have it. It is in you. Moving your every step and thought into the life of Christ. Let me leave you with this thought: Don't be fooled by charlatans claiming a new work of the Holy Spirit. Don't get caught up by a new outpouring of the Spirit. There is no "fresh move" of the Holy Spirit. God is not doing a "nu thang!" He's doing what He's always done. He's the same yesterday, today and forever. Live and rest in that! Amen.