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13. Question: Are there any stated cautions in the Bible against receiving false teachings concerning the Holy Spirit?
Answer: Yes! Jesus made it clear that when the Holy Spirit is come, He shall testify of Jesus and that He would not speak of Himself; therefore, we must be ever alert to the many false prophets and teachers out there who are ever teaching perverted doctrines about the Holy Spirit which always seem to exalt and emphasize the Person, Ministry and gifts of the Holy Spirit above and apart from the Message of the Person and Ministry of Jesus Christ. For it is written:
“But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me: And you also shall bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.” John 15:26-27
“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and you see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but you cannot bear them now. But when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. All things that the Father has are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you.” John 16:7-15
There is nothing wrong with studying the Bible in order to understand the role and Ministry of the Holy Spirit in relation to the Christian life. Yet if I might add a word of caution, I have often witnessed the gross perversion of misrepresenting the Holy Spirit and the exploitation of His gifts from various groups belongings to the Apostolic, Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements. That is in no way to accuse their entire movements of such extremes, though I do seriously have my doubts about the Charismatic Movement even being considered “Christian” by any true Biblical standard. Sadly though, even the Church of God (1) is following the Assemblies of God right down the toilet of worldly compromise.
Thus, when you hear their leaders telling you that the Holy Spirit is wounded and hurt because of being ignored and that you must establish a personal relationship with Him by directing your prayers to Him personally in order to devote all your energy to securing supernatural signs and miracles? You had better just watch out because there is something very unbalanced and perverted in such teachings.
It might even be wise to consider that in almost every introduction in the New Testament the Apostles hardly ever mentions the person of the Holy Spirit in their greetings. Whether it's the Apostle Paul bidding us Grace, Peace and/or Mercy from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ in every letter he penned. Or the Apostle James who wrote: “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.” (James 1:1) Or the Apostle Peter who wrote: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” (1st Peter 1:3) “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,” (2nd Peter 1:2) Or the Apostle John who wrote: “Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.” (2nd John 1:3) Or Jude who wrote: “Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.” Jude 1:1-2
In light of all these New Testament introductory greetings which fail to include the person of the Holy Spirit. We must ask ourselves: “Were the Apostles who were filled with the Holy Spirit and writing the New Testament under His anointing and direction really ignoring and purposely neglecting Him? Or was the Holy Spirit simply and purposely directing our focus and turning our eyes and hearts toward Jesus who was telling the truth when He said: “But when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself...?”
In other words we would do well to reject the counterfeit spirituality of those leaders who brag about waking up every morning yelling: “Good Morning Holy Spirit.” For if such deceived leaders had ears to hear, they might very well hear the Holy Spirit asking them why they are not bidding “Jesus” good morning and not writing books about developing a deeper and more personal relationship to know Him instead? And in light of the following warning you might very well agree that the difference between having a counterfeit spirituality as opposed to really knowing Jesus is a very serious eternal issue which carries eternal consequences which are no trifling matter. For Jesus warned us:
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21-23 (1) The author is not referring to The Worldwide Church of God, which is a cult.
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