Rightly Dividing The Word of Truth (revised)

Introduction

In previous writings we have dealt with this verse of scripture having touched on the idea of “studying” the word of God. Here we will explore the question:

What does it mean to rightly divide the word of truth?

I have heard it said many times in the past, by many who have so called “formal theological training”, that this verse doesn’t mean what it says and these people have written pages upon pages of mans wisdom which has appeal to the carnal (intellectual) mind. All I can say about that at this point in time is:

(Pro 23:1) When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee:

(Pro 23:2) And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.

(Pro 23:3) Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.

(Pro 23:4) Labor not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.

(Pro 23:5) Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

(Pro 23:6) Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:

(Pro 23:7) For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

That being said and being the simple minded man that I am, I’d like to continue here in examining this scripture in its biblical context.

Let’s begin by taking a look at the Greek word that was translated into the English phrase “rightly dividing”. The word used here is ὀρθοτομέω -orthotomeō (make a straight cut, that is, (figuratively) to dissect (expound) correctly (the divine message).

According to Vincent’s Greek Word Studies:

“From ὀρθός (ortho) straight and τέμνειν (tomeō )to cut. Hence, to cut straight, as paths; to hold a straight course; generally, to make straight; to handle rightly. Vulg. rectetractare. The thought is that the minister of the gospel is to present the truth rightly, not abridging it, not handling it as a charlatan (see on 2Co_2:17), not making it a matter of wordy strife (2Ti_2:14), but treating it honestly and fully, in a straightforward manner.”

It’s really that simple!

Why is it important to handle the word of truth in this manner?

Because is the way God has established this new dispensation of the ministration of righteousness from the very beginning.

(Mat 3:1) In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

(Mat 3:2) And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

(Mat 3:3) For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

The idea here is similar to what is being stated in 2 Timothy insomuch as one is speaking of making straight the way (path) of the Lord and the other making straight the truth. (Jesus claimed that he was “the way” and “the truth” and “the life”).

Why did Jesus come and whom did He personally come to as the light?

Yes it is rightly said that Jesus is the light of the world. But Jesus also said:

(Mat 15:24) But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

You see the earthly ministry of our Lord, as well as the early ministry of his disciples, was geared specifically toward the Jews (save the Gentiles who were among the Jews who heard Jesus preach and had seen Him work signs and wonders). As a matter of fact the Gentiles did not formally receive the gospel message through any type of outreach (missionary journey) until some ten years after the Christian apostolic ministry had began.

Now what I am about to say is not going to be particularly pleasant to the ears and eyes of many, or as a beloved brother in Christ would say; “this ain’t gonna church good”. Be that as it may, let those who have an ear hear the word of truth.

The reason that the early ministry of the faith was given to “the Jews first” is because they are God’s chosen people and the law was given exclusively to the house of Israel. Even more so because they got it all wrong. They were in the darkness of misunderstanding and in need of “the Light”!

(Hos 4:1) Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.

(Hos 4:6) My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

(Hos 4:7) As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame.

It has been written and rightly said that there is no new thing under the sun (Ecc 1:9) and this rejection of the knowledge and wisdom of God, as it was then, is so now among the Jews as well as within those within the body of believers.

(Jer 4:21) How long shall I see the standard, and hear the sound of the trumpet?

(Jer 4:22) For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.

The law of God and the word of truth is the standard which our Father has set before us so that we might know His will. His prophets sounded the trumpet warning that the people were in error in their ways. The people rejected the words of the prophets, which were the words of God Himself and they murdered his oracles.

(Mat 23:37) O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

These people actively rejected God’s word. God has continuously tried to gather His people unto Him but they “would not” (“and not ye-will” in the Hebrew). This means that this rejection was and is a matter of will.

There are others however who passively reject the word of truth by way of deception. These people do not reject the word with malice of forethought. Their heart is right, they seek the truth in earnest, but they receive the doctrines of men because they do not rightly handle the word of God.

The apostle Paul warns Timothy:

(2Ti 3:1) This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

(2Ti 3:2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

(2Ti 3:3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

(2Ti 3:4) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

(2Ti 3:5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

(2Ti 3:6) For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

(2Ti 3:7) Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Now this particular piece of scripture serves two purposes within the context of this writing. The first it that it serves as a trumpet call, a warning about false teachers. It is also the perfect example of a biblical truth which is often handled poorly and often misunderstood.

The primary misunderstanding is found in the teaching that these people “having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof” are unbelievers. Well, reading the preceding chapter and putting these verses into context clearly rebukes that line of thought. These people are indeed saved born again believers albeit not very matured in their faith.

I don’t think that there is anyone reading this who has not known a brother or sister who has possessed one or more of these undesirable attributes or who has even seen them within themselves at times. I know I have on both points.

One of the misconceptions of many who read and or study scripture is that the English correctly explains what has been written in the original language. I can assure you that in many cases the original language sheds much more light and gives a clearer understanding of what is being said than does the English translation alone.

Subsequently the the first way that one can better handle (rightly divide) the word of God is to dig a little deeper into the definitions of the words used in their original language.

You do not have to hold a degree in Greek or Hebrew language studies. There are many tools out there which will give you the information you seek (such as lexicons and dictionaries).

Dispensations

By definition: dispensationalism is a theological system which teaches that biblical history is best understood in light of a number of successive administrations of God’s dealings with mankind.

Now I’d like to make it clear here that although I do recognize the existence of various dispensations throughout scriptures I do not believe in nor do I advocate any type of formal systematic theology. The reason behind my opposition to systematic theology is simply because God has given us a system to understand holy scriptures. That being submission to the unction of the Holy Spirit and not to some man made system which, for all intent and purposes, negates the biblical precept that the Holy Spirit will guide us onto all truth. I do not believe that the Holy Spirit went to seminary school and studied systematic theology, although I might be wrong about this.

I digress.

For the purpose of this writing we will look at dispensationalsim from the minimalist point of view (Law – Grace – Eternal Kingdom) with an emphasis on law and grace. The dispensation of the law, from the minimalist point of view, takes place from the manifestation of the physical realm (Gen 1:1) through the birth of the NT church (Acts 2:1).

The two important things to note here are types and shadows and the manifestation of the same. That is to say that the types and shadows found within the dispensation of the law (DoL) have become manifest in the dispensation of grace (DoG). As it was in the DoL there are also types and shadows found within the DoG that will manifest in the dispensation of the eternal kingdom.

This is important to understand for a number of reasons, not the least of which is to define the boundary lines between what was, what is, and what is to come.

This is the second way that one rightly divides the word of truth.

In the literal sense of rightly dividing the word of truth the word of God must be literally divided or partitioned in certain places in order that each part can be understood within it’s proper context so that all might be preserved within their proper place.

(Luk 5:36) And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old.

(Luk 5:37) And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.

(Luk 5:38) But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.

(Luk 5:39) No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.

According to our Lord Jesus:

We should not put a piece of a new garment upon an old garment.
We should not put new wine into old bottles.

Here we see two types of divisions or partitions that Jesus says we must make.

In the example of verse 36 – the garments being spoken of here (the new from which the patch was taken and the old on which the patch was placed) are garments of righteousness. The old garment is representative of the old garment of righteousness through the law under the dispensation of the law. The patch of taken from the new garment, is representative of a section of the garment of righteousness through grace, which came when we entered into the new dispensation of grace.
In the example of verse 37 we see Jesus changing his illustration of the same precept from using examples of cloth to using wine (doctrine) and wine bottles or wine-skins (vessels – people). The new wine is representative of the new covenant through the Holy Spirit.

The Garments

Jesus tells us that when we put a piece of a new garment upon the old rent (torn) garment, the new becomes rent because the new does not agree with the old. Just as the new dispensation of grace agrees not with the old dispensation of the law.

The Wine & The Wine-Skins (Bottles)

Our Lord tells us that when we put this new doctrine, the ministration of righteousness (2Co 3:9), into old vessels the vessels break, the wine is spilled (becomes pouted) and the vessels will perish (apollumi – denoting separation).

(Hos 4:6) My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

(Hos 4:7) As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame.

Our Lord teaches us that NEW wine must be put into NEW bottles so that both may be preserved. That is why scriptures tell us that we must put off the old man and put on Christ rather than try to repair the old man! That’s why we are told to pick up our cross daily, that we would kill of the old sin nature that is within the flesh and take on our NEW spiritual nature. This is why Paul tells us:

(Gal 3:22) But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

(Gal 3:23) But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

(Gal 3:24) Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

(Gal 3:25) But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

(Gal 3:26) For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

(Gal 3:27) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

(Gal 3:28) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

If this is true then why do so many preachers and teachers profess that Christians are, by way of adoption, spiritual Jews through Christ?

Practical Application

Because they do not rightly divide the word. They do not understand where the separations are. They unskillfully handle the word of truth and put a new patch on an old garment and new wine into old wine-skins inspire of the fact that our Lord specifically tells us not to do so. And even for this our Lord offers us an explanation:

(Luk 5:39) No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.

Three of the most difficult things for and man or woman to do are:

Set Pride Aside and admit (even to ourselves) that we are in error.
Repent (change the way we think).
Put new thoughts or ideas into action.

The word of truth says:

(Rom 12:3) For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; (mē huperphronein par’ ho dei phronein). Indirect negative command after legō (I say). Play on the two infinitives phronein, to think, and huperphronein (old verb from huperphrōn, over-proud, here only in N.T.) to “over-think” with par’ ho (beyond what) added. Then another play on phronein and sōphronein (old verb from sōphrōn, sober-minded), to be in one’s right mind (Mar_5:15; 2Co_5:13). Self-conceit is here treated as a species of insanity) but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Paul is saying that self conceit is a form of insanity and to be in one’s right mind or to think soberly we are not to over think that which has been added to us by the word of truth!

I submit to you my brothers and sisters in Christ that the body of Christ, by way of intellectualism and relativism, has been polluted, doctrinally and spiritually speaking, as Jesus said some 2.000 years ago, by false teachers and preachers who profess the doctrines of men above the word of truth because we revere these same men/women because of their titles rather than the essence of their doctrines.

Now I’m not saying that everyone who has a title associated with their name, such as Bishop, Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, Doctor or PhD, for example, is a bad person. Nor am I saying that knowledge and wisdom are bad things, in and of themselves.

I am saying however that we should NEVER accept their doctrine as being truth solely based on these titles or because of their perceived knowledge and or wisdom.

The word of truth says:

(1Jn 4:1) Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

(1Jn 4:2) Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

(1Jn 4:3) And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

(1Jn 4:4) Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

(1Jn 4:5) They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

(1Jn 4:6) We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Now being a “false prophet” does not always mean that their deception is malicious or even intentional for that matter. Their doctrine is, more likely than not, a result of eating dainty meats (deceitful meats). Remember brethren; a little leaven leaveneth the whole loaf (Gal 5:9) Weather it is intentional or not or intended for evil or not, the result is the same because it is not the leaven, in and of itself, that is evil rather what is within the loaf.

This is the third way that we rightly divide the word of truth.

The Spiritual Gift of Discernment
discernment of spirits (Gal 12:10)

(diakriseis pneumatōn) Diakrisis is old word from diakrinō – an old and common word, our dis-cri-minate, to distinguish – and in N.T. only here; (Rom_14:1; Heb_5:14.) A most needed gift to tell whether the gifts were really of the Holy Spirit and supernatural (cf. so-called “gifts” today) or merely strange though natural or even diabolical (1Ti_4:1; 1Jo_4:1.).

How and why is this relevant to this topic?

Because God has, in the past and does, in the present, use men to do His will on earth and His will includes His people having a relationship with Him and knowledge of Him. The body of Christ is that light which reveals the nature of God to the people of the world.

Just as Jesus told James that he who has seen Him has seen the Father, those who see us are supposed to be seeing Jesus in us and by seeing Jesus in us they are seeing the Father in us. Jesus is the light of the world and we are children of the light!

However we must be mindful of this truth:

(Mat 6:22) The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

(Mat 6:23) But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

This is an awesome biblical truth that is seldom preached or taught, which is of great importance, and of great value to the body of believers.

Why do you think that so many of sign wonders, which Jesus had worked, were healing of the blind?

Because they couldn’t see! The symbolism of healing the blind was a type and shadow of that which was to come. That was spiritual sight being given to the spiritually blind through revelation knowledge by the power of the Holy Spirit.

(Mat 16:16) And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

(Mat 16:17) And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Now Watch This!

(Gal 1:11) But I certify (gnōrizō – make known) you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

(Gal 1:12) For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ (through the person of the Holy Spirit)

True knowledge and wisdom comes directly from the throne-room of God Himself. Some refer to this is a word of knowledge or a word of wisdom (Rhema Word). This word is given to reveal the deep things of God, those things which can not be understood by the natural (carnal) mind and are perceived to be foolishness to those without spiritual sight.

Jesus said: The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

Jesus tells us, first of all, that the light (luchnos - a portable lamp or other illuminator) of the body is the eye. He then tells us; if our eye is single (haplous - properly folded together, that is, single (figuratively clear) from the word ginōskō – to absolutely know) thy whole body shall be full of light.

If the eye can see (know absolutely) the truth the body will be full of light.

Jesus continues: But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

Jesus says: But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness.

What does this mean?

On one hand we see an eye that is single (clear and knowing the truth) and on the other hand an eye that is evil (dulled and not seeing the absolute truth).

Now Jesus asks here; “If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness”? This says that the light can be darkness!

(Joh 3:19) And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

This light is false light. It is false doctrine. Because it is not the absolute truth it is impure, polluted, evil and darkness. If the eye is evil, if it is in darkness the body, both the individual body and the body collectively (as the body of Christ) is in darkness.

(Joh 3:20) For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved (elegchō – to confute, admonish: – convict, convince, tell a fault, rebuke, reprove).

Those who are in darkness hate the truth, they hate the light, and they come not into the light because the light would convict them, it would tell them their fault and it might convince them that they needed to repent. As previously stated people, generally speaking, do not naturally accept conviction or reproving. They are quick to see the fault in others but slothful in seeing that same fault or any fault, for that matter, within themselves, much less actually acknowledge it, repent from it and change it.

(Joh 3:21) But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought (ergazomai – to toil, be engaged in or with) in God.

Those people however who do see his or her faults, repent from them and change their ways, are doing the word of truth and that truth is wrought in God. Subsequently these people come into the light and their eye is filled with light. There is no darkness in them because God is truth and there in no darkness in Him. Jesus is the light and there is no darkness in the light!

Jesus speaks to Paul on the road to Damascus:

(Act 26:16) But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

(Act 26:17) Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

(Act 26:18) To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Paul’s commission, given to him by Jesus Himself was to?

Open their eyes.
Turn them from darkness to light.
Turn them from the power of Satan (darkness)
Turn them to God (light)

So we see here, thus far, that there is light and darkness in terms of our understanding the word of truth. We also wee that even what appears to be light can be darkness (evil). We also know that darkness is of the power of Satan (who appears as an angel of light) and that the light is of God because there is no darkness in Him. Simple enough right? Good!

We also know that men love darkness! Why is this so?

(Luk 5:39) No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.

People simply do not like change! It is a matter of will. They would rather remain within the comfort of their darkness rather than be taken out of their comfort zone and into the light. The prejudiced person will not even try the new, or admit that it has any merits. He knows that the old is pleasant, and suits him; and that is enough; he is not going to change” This is Christ’s picture of the reactionary Pharisees.

(Jer 6:16) Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

(Jer 6:17) Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.

(Jer 6:18) Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them.

(Jer 6:19) Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.

So we basically see two types of people.

One type flat out rejects the word of truth because he or she simply refuses (wills) not to receive it. Some are prideful and will not accept correction and others have been deceived, do not know they are in error but they are comfortable in that error. These are those in darkness (blind).
The other type acknowledges that they are in error, repent of it and act on it. These people were once blind but now they see. These are children of the light.

What we need to remember is that every one of us at one point in time were children of darkness and that it is the will of our Lord Jesus and of our Father God that every single person come out of the darkness and into the light.

Further more our Father God, who is full of mercy and grace, has given us a way to escape the darkness. He has perfected us in spirit and in doing so has equipped us with everything that we need to step into the light and remain there.

What we must do is be sure that we are in the true light!

How do we accomplish this?

Do not conform to the world (age). Do not be a follower of anyone but Jesus. If a man/woman proclaims to be Christ, prove that spirit that he or she, in their words and actions, conform to the word of God.
Renew Your Mind – Read the word of God which is the word of truth. Take all thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ. In other words keep those thoughts which line up with the Jesus words and discard everything that does line up with the word of truth.

How will we know truth from lies?

This brothers and sisters is the most difficult part of all. We must receive the word of God in faith!

There is a HUGE difference between hearing and hearing, seeing and seeing, understanding and receiving the word of truth.

(Mar 8:17) And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?

(Mar 8:18) Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?

We MUST BELIEVE the word of God even if it goes against everything in our being. Hearing does not mean believing, it means hearing. Understanding what we have heard does not mean that we believe it and if we have not believed it we can not receive it. There are also times when we will hear and not understand but we are still required to believe.

This is called having faith!

(Rom 10:17) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

The word of God is spiritual seed.

(Joh 6:63) It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Words are spirit. They have power. Seeds of truth are light and lead to life. Seeds of lies are lead us into darkness which cause us to loose our way and stumble at the truth. This leads us to death and destruction.

Jesus words are words of truth which leads us to light and life. The words of any another lead to darkness and death.

The Word of Truth says:

(Joh 10:27) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

(Joh 10:28) And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

(Joh 10:29) My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

(Joh 10:30) I and my Father are one.

How do we, as Jesus sheep, hear His voice?

(Joh 16:13) 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.

(Joh 16:14) He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

We hear the voice of our Lord through the Spirit of truth (the Holy Spirit) who dwells within us. Jesus had said the Holy Spirit shall not speak of Himself. Whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak. He (the Holy Spirit) shall “receive” of mine (Jesus) and show it to us. The Holy Spirit does as Jesus did. Jesus spoke only what the Father told Him to speak and did only what He saw the Father do. The Holy Spirit only says what Jesus said or is saying (which is what the Father has said or is saying) and shows us only what Jesus wants us to see (which is what the Father want’s us to see). Subsequently when the Holy Spirit communicates with is, that which He speaks to us or shows us comes directly from the the throne-room of God and from God Himself. Halleluiah!

How do we know, that is to ask, how can we be sure that what we are hearing is of the Holy Spirit?

We know that we know that we know! ${#moods_dlg.DontKnow21}$

(Rom 8:13) For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

(Rom 8:14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

(Rom 8:15) For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

(Rom 8:16) The Spirit Himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

(Eph 4:21) If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

(Eph 4:22) That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

(Eph 4:23) And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

(Eph 4:24) And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Submission is The Key!

Within the the old covenant the rule of thumb is “thou shalt” and “thou shalt not”.
Within the new covenant, 99.9 percent of the time, the rule of thumb is “I will”

The point one percent that we must do is submit. That is to say that we must go with the flow and let the Potter mold the clay as He will. That means that our will must come into alignment with His will.

Our Lord Jesus has sounded the trumpet. He has made the clarion call.

Follow Me!

This does not mean to passively follow behind Jesus as an observer. It means to actively take on His image and likeness. It does not mean to follow or become like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses or David. It means to follow Jesus and Jesus alone. It means that we we set our will (our desires, our feelings and our thoughts) aside do His will as He did the will of His Father. In this way we become like Him. It means that we put off the old customs and traditions or our old nature and put on Christ.

How do we know what to do and when to do it?

Jesus tells us!

Now many believe, and rightly so, that our Father has revealed His will for His children through His written word. It is also true that He has, in the past, spoken through men (His prophets) and that God continues to speak through His people.

The problem is: as a man believes, so is he (Proverbs 23:7)!

If you believe that God ONLY speaks through His written word, as you believe, let it be done onto you (Mat 8:13). This person will hear nothing from God!

For those who believe that God only speaks to us through scriptures I offer you this word of truth that you might repent and begin to hear from the throne-room of God:

(Joh 16:12) I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

(Joh 16:13) 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.

(Joh 16:14) He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

(Joh 16:15) All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

(Joh 16:16) A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.

Brothers and sisters this can not be any plainer than the nose on your face. Jesus is telling the apostles that He has MANY THINGS to say onto them that they can not bear (bastazō – lift, carry, take up, receive) NOW. Jesus was saying that His apostles that He had MUCH more to say to them. These things are obviously of the deep things of God, above and beyond that which He has already spoken to them.

Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth (the Holy Spirit) comes He will guide us onto all truth and He will speak the words that Jesus would have Him speak. This is rhema word or what many refer to as divine revelation.

(Mat 16:15) He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

(Mat 16:16) And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

(Mat 16:17) And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Also consider these scriptures:

(Joh 21:25) And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

(Joh 14:25) These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.

(Joh 14:26) But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

The questions here are;

Do you believe, in light of what Jesus has said that we have a complete scriptural record of every single word spoken by our Lord during His earthly ministry?
Do you believe that when Jesus said that He had MANY things YET TO SAY that He meant what He said?
Do you believe that these things which have not been said might be of some importance?
Do you believe that when Jesus said the Holy Spirit would come will teach us ALL THINGS and bring to remembrance WHATSOEVER He has said?
D0 you believe that Peter received divine revelation from the throne-room of God?

(Act 10:34) Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

(Rom 2:11) For there is no respect of persons with God.

God sees all of His children as being the same and He loves all of us the same and He is no respecter of our personage.

Do You Believe that God is not a respecter of persons?

Then how can you believe that God would do something for the apostles, disciples and believers in the early church and not do it for His children today? God does not play favorites. That is a human characteristic not a tenet of God’s nature.

If Jesus said He has more to say and that the Holy Spirit was going to say it to us for Him then you can believe that. You can stand on it as if you were standing on a bolder.

Conclusion