Text – Isaiah 11:1-2; 2 Timothy 1:7; Revelation 5:6
INTRODUCTION
Years ago I was in a service, and the Minister who was preaching happened to also be a Medical Doctor. He made a statement that I still remember: “There are only 39 different diseases in the world . . .”
I hear a lot of people claim to have, or that another person has, a particular “spirit” about them (expound). One, I wonder why so many confess to be Christians jump on this “bandwagon” of claiming spirits? Two, where did they get the knowledge of these “spirits?” Three, outside of the spirits we see God sending out, where do they think these spirits come from?
We have said many times that Believers have to be careful not to fall into the trap of saying and doing things that have become “Normal,” but are not scriptural.
I don’t think that many of my sisters and brothers in the Lord really understand who and whose they are! So many Believers travel right along the line of “being blown by every wind of doctrine.”
“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” Ephesians 4: 11-15 (NIV)
Beloved, there are so many people following so many teachings that it is very easy to get caught up in a practice that is not scriptural, but because so many people have adopted it, (Saint and Sinner alike) it just feels right. This is part of the reason why the Bible has given Believers so many instructions and directions to keep us from getting caught up.
This is why I want to talk to you today from a very simple subject:
CHECK THAT SPIRIT OUT!
“And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: and the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; and shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD.” Isaiah 11:1-2 (KJV)
“And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.” Revelation 5:6 (KJV)
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)
POINTS –
- The Bible speaks of Seven (7) spirits sent out by God
- The Bible lets us know that the Spirit (Holy Spirit) God gives His Believers will give them Power, Love, and Self – Control.
CONCLUSION
The Bible gives Believers enough warnings and assurances on how to spot unholy spirits, and how to spot the Holy Spirit:
“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1 (NIV)
“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.” John 15:26 (NIV)
“Howbeit 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 shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” John 16: 13-14 (NIV)
“Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.” 1 Corinthians 12:3 (KJV)
“This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.” 1 John 4:2-3 (NIV)
My sisters and brothers, we must take heed to what the word of God and the Holy Spirit is saying to us concerning the teachings that are perpetuating the false spirits out here.