Does being a Spirit-filled Christian require uncontrollable “urges” and unexplainable “unctions”? So much is being promoted and printed these days that leaves the impression these are the norm, not the exception. Is that true?
As we work our way through these verses, it will become increasingly more clear that our times at Malta are just as significant as our days in Rome…maybe more so.
We can learn much from one particular portion of Scripture in James 5. Let’s concentrate on verses 13 through 16 as we come to terms with how the Lord would have us deal with suffering and sickness.
Surely the One who made us is capable of healing us—no question—but can we say He is responsible for all these things? How does He heal? What does Scripture teach?
In many ways, we evangelicals—especially non-charismatic evangelicals—frown on emotion. Somehow, this doesn’t square with common sense. More important, it lacks an understanding of the Spirit’s work within and through the realm of our emotions. Let’s think that through together.
Let’s see if God’s Word can give us greater insight into those unidentified inner promptings.
In our searching through the Scriptures, let’s reexamine the “anointing of the Holy One,” which seems inseparably linked to having “the mind of Christ.” Quite probably, some of these things could explain what we often pass off as mere intuition or coincidence. Let’s find out.
Most of us seldom give much thought to the Holy Spirit’s behind-the-scenes ministries. We open our Bibles to read and study God’s truth and rarely think of how He illumines our minds with an understanding of spiritual things. We pray, yet hardly ever consider the vital role He plays in that discipline.
The sudden presence of the Holy Spirit. Think of it! At salvation, God took up His residence in our lives. Not only that, He has come to this intimate place within for one major purpose: to “fill” us. He permanently indwells us that He might ignite us with a supernatural “dynamic” that cannot be duplicated.
Paul, in his magnificent treatment of the believer’s struggle with sin in Romans 7, opens a window of light in Romans 8 as he introduces the importance of setting our minds on “the things of the Spirit.” Could this be one of the secrets to the missing dynamic in our lives?
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