The Sufferings of the Spirit....1

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The Sufferings of the Spirit

   Many times do we suffer in silence, so let’s have a look how we affect the Holy Spirit, and it’s all because of us.

1.     Blasphemed by the presumption of man (ie us)

2.   Insulted by the pride of man

3.   Vexed by the disobedience of man

4.   Resisted by the unbelief of man

5.    Tempted by the insincerity of man#

6.   Quenched by the prejudice of men

7.    Grieved by the frivolity of man

1)   Blasphemed by the presumption of man (ie us)

Math 12:31  “..Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come..”

   This has to be one of the clearest of messages from God that there ever was. Let me ask this then who has heard of these phrases … For Christ Sake … Lord above … Jesus H Christ … Heavens above. All these and many more besides, we hear when something goes wrong. I get really mad when I hear the Lords name being taken in vain.

   They said to Jesus, “this fellow casteth out the devil by Beelzebub” Jesus said back to them, “I casteth out devils by the spirit of God..” Therefore the attributed this spirits work to the work of the devil, and so blasphemed the Holy Ghost.

   I intend to ask politely, when hearing ‘His name in vain, for whoever speaks this way to refrain, most of the time, will stop and apologise. For those who don’t, I ask for Heaven Father to forgive them for they know not what they do.

2) Insulted by the pride of man

   In Hebrews 10:29, we read of those who too much pride in their hearts…  “. .Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? .” The thing is to, deny the divinity of Christ and the preciousness of the Blood, is to despise the testimony of the Holy Spirit and to insult him to His face. Or, in street slang, you stand in front of the person you wish to slander, and give them the bird. (this is where the person would make a fist, but leave only the middle finger up). I have to say this is a foul thing given to anyone. There are very few who would do this for fear of retribution from those whose name is taken in vain.

This particular verse opens up my message here…

1 Corinth 11:29 “. . For he who eats and drinks in an

unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself,

not discerning the Lord’s body. .”

     If you eat like a dog, soon you will be wild without a care. That’s why if you wish to NOT have a potty mouth, you will need to change the company you keep. An athlete, those at the top, who always seem to win gold medals, eat drink and sleep what it takes to stay at the top of their chosen sports. If you have a potty mouth, you need to surround yourself with like-minded Christians.

3) Vexed by the disobedience of man

   This is and old word, one that is not used regularly today. Words used those days seem somehow to mean different. Example :- ‘Gay’ it used to mean you were happy, or of good cheer. Now ‘Gay’ means, you are of the persuasion in liking those of the same sex as you, although this word still means happy/cheerful, but just not what you firstly thing of when someone is called Gay!

Isa 63:9/10  “. .In all their affliction He was afflicted,

And the Angel of His Presence saved them; In His love and in

His pity He redeemed them; And He bore them and carried

them All the days of old. But they rebelled and grieved His

Holy Spirit; So He turned Himself against them as an enemy, 

And He fought against them. .”

Psl 73:21  “. .Thus my heart was grieved, and I

was vexed in my mind. .”

   A word that comes up that links both texts is that of ‘aggrieved’. So they were not happy with their lot, hence ‘aggrieved’.  All that He (Lord God) asks is for us to obey Him, turn away from sin, because God’s compassion knows no bounds as for gives ‘all’ our transgressions for our Lords love for us is far deeper than we could fathom.

   Try and think of this, redeemed ones rebelling & vexing the Holy One. How often, when He reveals some unexpected ugliness within, instead of being thankful for the discovery, our proud heart rebels and refuses to confess what is wrong with us. Thus the holy Spirit is vexed, hence the Holy one is unable to release His blessings and graces, how stubborn is our pride.

4)  Resisted by the unbelief of men

Acts 7: ⁵¹   “. .You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. .”

   Be careful of the ‘wisdom we impart to our Children, and those whom look up to us. We must take control of one of the smallest muscles in our whole body.

Heb 3: ^{19   “. .}So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. .”

   What I’m really saying is ‘what is there not believe’? In doubting the word of God, the Spirit of God is resisted why? Because for the word of God is his sword.

   Since I was 20yrs old, I had thoughts and feelings about being the Church. May be these feeling started some 10yrs before, when I was a cub scout. Time and time again I refused Gods call on my life. May be I was not on my knees yet. Now I have Faith as I believe with all of my heart.

4) Tempted by the insincerity of man.

Acts 5:1/9   “. .But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. ² And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. ³ But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? ⁴ While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” ⁵ Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. ⁶ And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. ⁷ Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. ⁸ And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.” ⁹ Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out. .”

   Sums up ‘insincerity’, you have to have the morals of dog poo, to fully get it. I apologise for the bluntness of the afore mentioned. You have to be deranged to lie because in the end you are always caught out, tripped up. I covered about lies to yourself as well as and in ‘Mental Attacks’. Tell me, why would you even think, let alone to actually try to lie?

V3 But Peter said … “Ananias why has satan filled your heart to lie? … Peter can see as clear as day that he is lying to the Holy Ghost. He has gone great to break down Ananias’ lie to Mary to try and to show how futile this would be.

V5 “. . Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these

things. .”  The pressure he put himself under, that was not bad enough, but he levelled the pressure with others. The pressure was avoidable, if he heeded the word from Peter. A man is guilty of this when pretends to his brethren/friends that he is wholly devoted to God, whilst at the same time indulging in his secret sin.

Psalms 51: 10  ^{“. .}Create in me a clean heart, O God, And

renew a steadfast spirit within me. .”

1Thes 5: 19   ^{“. .}Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not despise prophecies. ²¹ Test all things; hold fast what is good. .”

   We clearly see here (and it still happens today) that what is forbidden here is a very common  sin … Eph 4:30  ^{“. .}And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. .” … This one treats with indifference the message of God. Though you have to wonder, because the messenger is not after our hearts.

   May be someone can comment to this quandary …

“Why is that we can seemingly have it/a good thing, do we

knowingly do some wrong/forbidden-fruit mess it all up?”

  We seem to have this inherent to destroy all the good around us.

1 Thes 5:20/22  “. .Do not despise prophecies. ²¹ Test

all things; hold fast what is good. ²² Abstain from every

form of evil. .”

   Again another verse I find myself reading that tells us in plain English to those who read these words God leaves no room for misunderstanding. By ignoring His warnings is to stand face to face with God, set fire to His words (the Bible), and laugh into His face whilst you do this.

7)  Grieved by the frivolity of men

Eph 4: 30 “. . do not grieve the Holy Spirit. .”

   This part of v30 is just a small part of the grievance, which this solemn exhortation lies between these other verses which show the full point that was being made here.

Eph 4 29/31   “. .²⁹ Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. ³² And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. “

   WOW, simply WOW. If you kept using the Lords name in vain, and I turned to you and said ‘Please don’t use the Lords name as part of your swearing’. But you ignored me and just carried on, do you not think I’ll be upset/grieved? Do you not think then, that the Holy Ghost is not grieved, just because He is not stood in front of you?

   Jesus Christ is grieved by the unprofitable conversation of us Christians, He is also grieved because He wishes to teach us  how to profit, how amaizing is He. Though He cannot join in non-profitable talk, much less in evil speak. If the Holy Ghost cannot afford to be trivial, then why are we. Everyone should put a watch (not the one you wear on your wrist), but a Guard/Century, be put at the door to our lips. 

I’ll leave you with parting thought ….  

“Men filled with the Holy Spirit are usually of a solemn 

nature “

Fruitfulness

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Fruitfulness

Here are 4 ways on how become more fruit in your lives

for Christ, even if you’re not yet saved

Ø Before fruit there must be life

Ø There must be an entire commitment to the conditions

Ø Fullness must come before Fruitfulness

Ø The character of the fruit

1)               Before fruit there must be life

John 15  ⁵ “.. I am the vine, you are the branches.

He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for

without Me you can do nothing ..”

   As time goes on there are things that Christians tend to forget. Christ is saying here is the He would hope we would open our eyes to stir up emotion. He wanted to remind us, that, He is the true Living One, and has come that we may life, (more abundantly).

   This going to sound, silly, but if want a nice fresh apple/pear you don’t look upon a dead tree, would you? So why not have a true living God that would dwell within you. For, with Christ Jesus in our lives, you would be able to do things otherwise you wouldn’t normally be able too.

   A soul dead in sin … “..you who He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sin..” (Eph 2 v1) … can never bring forth the fruits of righteousness. There must be a planting in Jesus Christ first.

“.. You must yield yourselves unto God, as those that are

alive from the dead ..” (Rom 6 v13)

   The fruit of the ‘self-life’ is corrupt, so there for you must crucify the flesh with all its lusts, thus growing in the knowledge of God. This kind of whole hearted surrender to the grace and the power of the spirited God open the way into the heart, and life so God can enter in the works mightily. 

2)              There must be entire surrender to the new conditions

   So what does it really mean to ‘Entirely surrender’? Well, if the roots of the tree does not reach out and spread into the new soil, into which it has been re-planted, then the tree will not prosper and grow into a fine specimen. In Philippians chp’s 3 9 & 10, Paul refers to  “..being found in Him..”, the source of life eternal, he then goes onto to also say “..That I may know Him..”, a growing acquaintance with Him. The branch must be entirely passive to the power of the vines.

“..present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead,

and your members as instruments of righteousness

to God ..” (Romans 6 v13)

   Tell me, I hear you scream at the monitors. Well, it so because we must crucify the flesh unto its lusts, then and only then can we grow in full knowledge of God. We can’t have an air of arrogance though, or prepare for a stumble after stumble, that is until we have an air of humbleness. Once we rid ourselves of this arrogance, then we wil ready for our whole hearted surrender unto the grace and power of the spirit of God, this will lead the way into the heart and life so that God can enter in and work mightily within us. Further ways can be found in …

3)              Fullness must come before Fruitfulness

   In all life there a natural order of events. A gun dog must be trained from a puppy to not be scared of all the bangs from the guns, shouting & noise, and to watch for the right bird falling from the sky, then go and to fetch it on command. So it is the growth of the trees, in that the branch will not bear fruit until it has been filled to over flowing with sustaining sap. Just like a cup will not over flow, that is until it has been filled up.

 “.. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water ..”  (John 7 v38) . . .

 . . . If the rivers are to flow out of us, then the unfailing spring must rise up like a torrent and then fill all within. We must take care though; a sloppy and dissatisfied heart will always produce only a poor and dissatisfying testimony for Christ our Lord. It is no good standing up and saying ‘the Lord saved me from drink’, only to then go out after and by a bottle wine/spirit! You are only fooling yourself, and making a joke of your testimony. For sure all those you told about being saved won’t ever take you seriously ever again. Though fear not all is lost, just you are going to have a fight on your hands, take comfort as you will have our Lord Jesus there to help you in becoming strong.

   If the roots of our being are spread next to the river, by the way of our Holy Spirit, then we shall not cease from yielding fruit.

  

“..For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which

spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when

heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be

anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease rom yielding

fruit ..”  (Jeremiah 17: v8) 

4)              The character of the Fruit

“.. Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine ..”   (Ezekiel 47 v12)  

This following part has 2 part to it …

      i.            It will be new fruit

   ii.            It will be new fruit according to the nature of the tree

     i.            So it will be New Fruit

   The first statement is ‘It will be new fruit’. Here we are told, if we regenerate, replace old branches for new, in doing so we will grow stronger. To stand still after I was saved is actually sin in its self. We were saved to spread the Word, to spread His seed/Word, in time to spread out and help many to glory.

   The second part is ’It does not belong to the unregenerate man’. No one wants to be so hard hearted that you be saved ‘cause a friend is saved’, only to stay as you were before. How do you expect to grow, if you don’t put off your old ways, and you will never grow new fruit, because of it? It’s not the fruit of the flesh, and not the outcome of an energetic self-life.

  ii.            It will be new fruit according to the nature of the tree

    When gathering fruit, like you would not look for Figs in the midst of thorns, Or, gather grapes in the middle of the thistles, would you? Gods fruit cannot be held back because the fruit “.. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness ..”  (Galatians 5 v22). But not the fruit of the Christians, the fruit of the spirit, as we can see, is just the likeness of Christ.

 

   You have now become partakers of the divine nature. As a result of the living Spirit, moving sap, with so the image and the characteristics of Christ are wrought in the believers by the living, moving spirit within.

    

 So surely it is the work of God, and evidence of a soul being full possessed by Him. Now I'm sure there is more than one among you who thought this 'Possessed by Him sounded ever so 'demonic-supernatural'. Well, No & Yes. OK stop scratching you heads or you'll have no hair left. No - our Lord is by no means demonic, but, Yes - our God is the only one true supernatural, after all He made the Heavens & Earth, so He could not be Human.

   Where there is the indwelling of the Spirit, there must be infestation of the Christ likeness. It was once said, sadly I know not by whom, that 'Death is the way to life and fruitfulness’.

“.. Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die it abideth alone, but if die it bring forth much fruit ..”

John 12 v24  - King James version