The Holy Spirit

"But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all. . . And as for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you shall abide in Him" 1 John 2:20,27

Devotion #1 of 14

INTRODUCTION

With great subtlety, Satan has sought to pervert the words of Scripture. If man lives "by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God" (Matt 4:4), then you can expect the devil to make every effort to corrupt man's apprehension of that word. He started this initiative in Eden, and it continues to this very day. Key words and teaching are the target of our adversary. If he can contaminate our understanding of these, he shall have us in his grasp. Think how he has distorted men's view of faith, hope, love, preaching, and repentance. Once the view of these things is distorted, they no longer have their intended effect in the hearts of men. There is also central teaching in God's word that Satan attacks. The death, resurrection, ascension, and enthronement of Jesus are especially targeted by the evil one. He also seeks to garble the hope of glory, new covenant, intercession of Christ, and our Savior's second appearance. By so doing, the devil effectively changes the way people perceive God, read His Word, and live in this world. Few subjects have been distorted as much, however, as that of the Holy Spirit of God. Even though Jesus taught us of the extreme sensitivity of this aspect of Deity, men have still been deceived by the Satan on the matter. The gravity of the situation is seen in the following words of our Lord. My purpose is not to expound the text at this point, but to demonstrate the seriousness of loose thinking in this area. "But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Spirit hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation" (Mark 3:29). It is written of Israel, "They rebelled and vexed His Holy Spirit: therefore He was turned to be their enemy" (Isa 63:10). Believers are solemnly warned, "And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption" (Eph 4:30). Suffice it to say, there is no room for idle speculation, novel doctrines, and loose thinking concerning the Holy Spirit of God and His appointed influence.

-- TOMORROW: THOSE IN CHRIST HAVE RECEIVED THE HOLY SPIRIT --