Considering answers to those faith-questions we all ask…
Tag: THE HOLY SPIRIT
Feelings are not faith, and as Paul declared, "Everything that does not come from faith is sin" (Romans 14:23). That's not to say that all feelings are sinful, but depending on them is. Feelings can be sensual, physical, temporal and fallible. They can be useful and wonderful tools and a great blessing, but they can also regularly get us into trouble. The antidote to this uncertainty is the Word of God.
The obsession in some circles with God's Holy Spirit is not at all a reflection of Biblical Scripture. Yes, the Spirit is one of the three members of the Trinity, but today's imbalance among those who consider themselves to be at a higher spiritual vantage point tends towards cultism and not true, first century Christianity.
Without doubt, plucking a verse from the Bible to see you through the day can be uplifting and encouraging, but a careful study of an entire book will reveal some things you would never notice just from those one-verse wonders. My recent walk through Paul's letter to the Romans revealed some things I hadn't noticed before.
One of the many warnings Jesus gave when speaking of the scourge of deception was against the present-day cult of the Holy Spirit. To those who would accuse me of "blaspheming the Holy Spirit", or of "not believing in the Holy Spirit" I say that I have no intention of blaspheming the beautiful and holy Spirit of God or of disbelieving. He is with me now, as he is with all true believers in the one and only son of God. My intention is to drive us all to focus on our real object of worship.
Within the spectrum of expression in the Christian Church the Charismatic movement provides many great and commendable blessings. It appeals to those whose character traits and preferences demand freedom and vitality. However, at and near its fringe there's something dark and destructive at work.
