In what ways does the Holy Spirit act in you?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Lafftur

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2017
6,732
3,559
113
#81
His guidance by the Holy Spirit ..... is that not other than human emotion?
best wishes
Yes, you are correct...the Holy Spirit is much more than human emotion because He can comfort us....calm our emotions...:love:(y)
 
Mar 17, 2021
560
165
43
#82
So....should Peter have thrown out the vision of all the unclean things on a sheet.......which meant God was allowing the Gentiles in and Peter would VERY soon go to Cornelius’ house......

Just saying......God doesn’t like to be put in boundaries or boxes.....ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE WITH GOD, amen. :love:(y)
Peter's vision was for a particular one-off purpose, to rid him of his religious prejudice against Gentiles. It was not made up of confusing disconnected symbols and shadows. It was a distinct view of definite objects, along with a distinct message from the Lord. No comparison with the purported visions that some are claiming as coming from the Lord. Peter know immediately what the vision was all about because as soon as the vision had finished there was a knock at the door by representatives of Cornelius' household.

Most visions that modern Charismatics are claiming are from their own daydreams and not from the Holy Spirit at all.
 
Mar 17, 2021
560
165
43
#83
No, try using your HEART instead of your BRAIN.....the heart can understand MORE than the brain.

God said we would find Him when we seek Him with ALL our heart, He said NOTHING about seeking Him with our brain.

Do you realize that all our decisions are actually based on our emotions, NOT logic.....:unsure:
That sounds like Bethel theology where experiences overrule written Scripture.
 

2ndTimothyGroup

Well-known member
Feb 20, 2021
5,206
1,829
113
#84
Most visions that modern Charismatics are claiming are from their own daydreams and not from the Holy Spirit at all.
Until I felt the Indwelling Holy Spirit, the Raw Power of God . . . what you have written above describes my prior life Egggzactly!
 
Mar 17, 2021
560
165
43
#85
Faith works by LOVE.....Love is an emotion of the HEART.

The brain is like a computer, it gets data input and processes it. It’s the Heart that determines what to do with the info.

All decisions are emotional because we are NOT robots. Love has a choice.

Yes, study is good because you’re gathering information “seed from God’s Word” but, we need our heart to seek the Holy Spirit to water the Word which gives us understanding and we grow.
The Bible is quite clear in itself. Just reading it gives us all the information we need to know. We don't need qualifying "revelation" to give us a deeper understanding of what is clearly written. If we can't understand and obey what God has clearly set out for us in the Bible, then there is no point in the Holy Spirit giving us more clarifying "revelation". The main issue is that many religious folk don't want to accept what the Bible clearly points out to them and they want a "second opinion" from the Holy Spirit. Jesus set a principle when he told the rich man in hell concerning his brothers believing someone who might be raised from the dead, that they have Moses and the Prophets, in other words the written Scriptures, and if they didn't believe them, they wouldn't believe even someone raised from the dead. My take then is that if folk can't accept the written New Testament, then they won't come any closer to Christ by seeking extra "revelation" from the Holy Spirit. The Spirit would say, "Go back to the written Scriptures and obey what is written there for you."
 
Mar 17, 2021
560
165
43
#86
Until I felt the Indwelling Holy Spirit, the Raw Power of God . . . what you have written above describes my prior life Egggzactly!
Even if you get a revelation or vision that complies with written Scripture, it is basically superfluous and unnecessary because God has already said it in the Scriptures and all one has to do is go and read it.
 

2ndTimothyGroup

Well-known member
Feb 20, 2021
5,206
1,829
113
#87
The Bible is quite clear in itself. Just reading it gives us all the information we need to know. We don't need qualifying "revelation" to give us a deeper understanding of what is clearly written. If we can't understand and obey what God has clearly set out for us in the Bible, then there is no point in the Holy Spirit giving us more clarifying "revelation". The main issue is that many religious folk don't want to accept what the Bible clearly points out to them and they want a "second opinion" from the Holy Spirit. Jesus set a principle when he told the rich man in hell concerning his brothers believing someone who might be raised from the dead, that they have Moses and the Prophets, in other words the written Scriptures, and if they didn't believe them, they wouldn't believe even someone raised from the dead. My take then is that if folk can't accept the written New Testament, then they won't come any closer to Christ by seeking extra "revelation" from the Holy Spirit. The Spirit would say, "Go back to the written Scriptures and obey what is written there for you."
I totally get what you're saying. I've felt the Raw Power of God, but I am 100% fully satisfied with our incredible Bible. Until the Lord took away the scales, I had no idea of the depth of this incredible book.
 

2ndTimothyGroup

Well-known member
Feb 20, 2021
5,206
1,829
113
#88
Even if you get a revelation or vision that complies with written Scripture, it is basically superfluous and unnecessary because God has already said it in the Scriptures and all one has to do is go and read it.
It was super necessary. What happened to me was the moment that I was indwelt by the Lord. It was the moment that Christ Circumcised my Heart . . . Purifying me of the Evil Sin Nature. There isn't one thing that is more necessary than that. It is the single most important thing that our little pea brains ought to be concerned about. But . . . they're not.
 
Mar 17, 2021
560
165
43
#89
I totally get what you're saying. I've felt the Raw Power of God, but I am 100% fully satisfied with our incredible Bible. Until the Lord took away the scales, I had no idea of the depth of this incredible book.
I go along with you in this. After two years of trying all the religious stuff I got out in the middle of a park at night and introduced myself to God. I felt all lit up inside like Times Square. If was as if the Holy Spirit turned the lights on inside of me, and the Bible, like you, became a totally new book for me. One moment God was not real tome, the next He was. I then started asking Him questions, and He would answer me from the Scriptures. I have never memorized Scripture but every time I ask God for wisdom, He points me to a passage or verse of Scripture that gives me the relevant answer. It has happened so many times it is phenomenal. He also points me to books by faithful Christian authors, and it is remarkable how the right book comes into my hands at the right time. Also, I have just finished reading John Calvin's commentary on the Gospel of John and 1 John, and the number of times sentences have jumped out of the page at me to answer issues that I have handled on these forums, is equally remarkable.

I have just started on 1 Corinthians, and Calvin's definition of an apostle jumped out of the page at me. He said that it is not enough for someone to call himself an apostle, he has to be one. He also said that an apostle is one who preaches the Gospel of Christ throughout the world, and his preaching is validated by signs and wonders. In the light of the modern day ones who purport to be apostles by going and spreading his theological views throughout already established Christian churches, Calvin's definition and comments enlightened me immensely.

So there are a number of ways that God uses His word to give us the wisdom that we need.
 

Mission21

Pathfinder
Mar 12, 2019
894
792
93
#90
I hear what you're saying . . . that said, I want to make sure that PChristenson doesn't feel that I view him as actual swine. Again, I hear you. PChristenson has a solid grasp on Scriptures, in my meager opinion. I was just making a strong point that when we hear of things that we haven't heard of before, we shouldn't be so quick to rule them out. That kind of thinking hinges upon horrific statements from "christians" such as . . . "What I say has been established by the Lord!" Uggg . . . my former best friend of 35 years once felt that way about himself. Well, he felt that way until decades passed and he was able to see that his wretched, pathetic life disqualified all of those ideas that he once held onto like a stick of pride.

My current landlord claims that she has the "favor of the Lord." Yikes. She doesn't pay taxes on her rental income, abuses her beautiful horse, has contributed to causing the elderly man that I've watched for three years to not want to wake up in the mornings, drinks booze while she rides the horse, even refusing to protect him from an aggressive, mid-sized dog that lives about two football fields away. Instead of acknowledging the fear of her 83-year-old tenant, she ignored him completely. But . . . because she has the "favor of the Lord," if a person says ANYTHING that she does not agree with, by default, that person is completely wrong. And of course! For, she has the favor of the Lord! Pft . . . in two years she has shown nothing that resembles a Godly page from the Bible.

I'm 99% PChristenson isn't like the above human with a stony heart. I just like to get people to remember that we're to listen and be willing to learn. We don't have to run around correcting everyone on everything thing goes against our knowledge base. I get it . . . I've done it! I'm guilty! I've wanted to change this about myself for a long time . . . lately I've been feeling like the Lord may have flipped this Spiritual Switch for me . . . and that I am in a period of change for the better. I hope so.

Pchristenson is good beans. I'd recommend that others read what he says.
Good post.
---
He has his view/perspective on the work of Holy Spirit.
- I am a bit familiar... about his stance/position.
- From other Christian Forums.
---
There are different views/perspectives among spirit-filled Christians...concerning spiritual gifts, etc..
- & Most of them claim.. their stance/position is correct!
- That is why.. we see many camps/streams.
----
*I do not agree with him..on several issues.
---
My experience/learning spiritual gifts started..
- In 1970's.
- During the Charismatic movement.

Blessings,
 

2ndTimothyGroup

Well-known member
Feb 20, 2021
5,206
1,829
113
#91
I go along with you in this. After two years of trying all the religious stuff I got out in the middle of a park at night and introduced myself to God. I felt all lit up inside like Times Square. If was as if the Holy Spirit turned the lights on inside of me, and the Bible, like you, became a totally new book for me. One moment God was not real tome, the next He was. I then started asking Him questions, and He would answer me from the Scriptures. I have never memorized Scripture but every time I ask God for wisdom, He points me to a passage or verse of Scripture that gives me the relevant answer. It has happened so many times it is phenomenal. He also points me to books by faithful Christian authors, and it is remarkable how the right book comes into my hands at the right time. Also, I have just finished reading John Calvin's commentary on the Gospel of John and 1 John, and the number of times sentences have jumped out of the page at me to answer issues that I have handled on these forums, is equally remarkable.

I have just started on 1 Corinthians, and Calvin's definition of an apostle jumped out of the page at me. He said that it is not enough for someone to call himself an apostle, he has to be one. He also said that an apostle is one who preaches the Gospel of Christ throughout the world, and his preaching is validated by signs and wonders. In the light of the modern-day ones who purport to be apostles by going and spreading his theological views throughout already established Christian churches, Calvin's definition and comments enlightened me immensely.

So there are a number of ways that God uses His word to give us the wisdom that we need.
That's a good post . . . good sir. Friendly reminder: never stop seeking; never stop asking; never stop knocking. Most think that these things are "one and done." Keep seeking . . . God is right there with you, knowing each thought.
 
Mar 17, 2021
560
165
43
#92
It was super necessary. What happened to me was the moment that I was indwelt by the Lord. It was the moment that Christ Circumcised my Heart . . . Purifying me of the Evil Sin Nature. There isn't one thing that is more necessary than that. It is the single most important thing that our little pea brains ought to be concerned about. But . . . they're not.
I did ask the Lord about dreams and visions and He told me I didn't need them because I had the reality of Christ through the indwelling Holy Spirit, and that the indwelling Holy Spirit would teach me all the things I need to know. Then I asked Him why genuine believers did have dreams and visions. What He said to me was quite interesting. He said that in order to increase faith in His Word and the promises in it, He, through His grace gives dreams and visions on a temporary basis until they grow in grace to the point where they could settle their faith firmly in His written word. Then the dreams and visions would cease because they would no longer be needed. Dreams and visions would be like priming the faith pump until the real flow of faith took over. The sign of maturity in the Lord is the ability to have faith based totally on what God has written in His Word. Then we can do great things in faith because we are trust in what God has promised. For tasks that need an extra burst of power, there is the supernatural gift of faith where we suddenly have a total assurance that even though what we are about to do looks totally impossible, we have the certainty that it is now possible at that time and when we launch out, we find that God creates the miracle and the task is successfully completed. Then we return to normal. I believe that I received the gift of faith when I offered prayer for a person with a kidney complaint where she would have a monthly attack. I suddenly felt that I could believe for anything, and so I prayed for her with absolute faith and certainty. When I last heard from her three months later, she told me that she had not had another attack. It showed me that when the gift of faith is manifested, there is an absolute certainty that God will come to the party when we launch out in faith. It is not a matter of trying to believe for the outcome. It is the Holy Spirit filling us with absolute faith to believe for the outcome with a single mind.

It doesn't appear to be an emotional state. We can be cool, calm and collected emotionally, much like Mr Spock, but there is the absolute knowledge that we can do it, similar to when Doctor McKoy put his hands in a machine and suddenly had all the knowledge he needed to put Spock's brain back in his head and connect everything up. That knowledge lasted for 20 minutes in which he complete the task, and then the knowledge dissipated. I know that Startrek examples are a bit off the beam, but it is the best way I know of trying to describe the gift of faith when it happens.
 

2ndTimothyGroup

Well-known member
Feb 20, 2021
5,206
1,829
113
#93
Good post.
---
He has his view/perspective on the work of Holy Spirit.
- I am a bit familiar... about his stance/position.
- From other Christian Forums.
---
There are different views/perspectives among spirit-filled Christians...concerning spiritual gifts, etc..
- & Most of them claim.. their stance/position is correct!
- That is why.. we see many camps/streams.
----
*I do not agree with him..on several issues.
---
My experience/learning spiritual gifts started..
- In 1970's.
- During the Charismatic movement.

Blessings,
The seventies . . . wow. Very nice. It is so important that we listen to those who are calm and relaxed when they share their Biblical knowledge. We don't all share the same ideas, and that is because we are not all the same part of the Body. We need each other, and we need to learn when to take the cotton out of our ears, and shove it into our mouths. That includes me 100%.
 

2ndTimothyGroup

Well-known member
Feb 20, 2021
5,206
1,829
113
#94
I did ask the Lord about dreams and visions and He told me I didn't need them because I had the reality of Christ through the indwelling Holy Spirit, and that the indwelling Holy Spirit would teach me all the things I need to know. Then I asked Him why genuine believers did have dreams and visions. What He said to me was quite interesting. He said that in order to increase faith in His Word and the promises in it, He, through His grace gives dreams and visions on a temporary basis until they grow in grace to the point where they could settle their faith firmly in His written word. Then the dreams and visions would cease because they would no longer be needed. Dreams and visions would be like priming the faith pump until the real flow of faith took over. The sign of maturity in the Lord is the ability to have faith based totally on what God has written in His Word. Then we can do great things in faith because we are trust in what God has promised. For tasks that need an extra burst of power, there is the supernatural gift of faith where we suddenly have a total assurance that even though what we are about to do looks totally impossible, we have the certainty that it is now possible at that time and when we launch out, we find that God creates the miracle and the task is successfully completed. Then we return to normal. I believe that I received the gift of faith when I offered prayer for a person with a kidney complaint where she would have a monthly attack. I suddenly felt that I could believe for anything, and so I prayed for her with absolute faith and certainty. When I last heard from her three months later, she told me that she had not had another attack. It showed me that when the gift of faith is manifested, there is an absolute certainty that God will come to the party when we launch out in faith. It is not a matter of trying to believe for the outcome. It is the Holy Spirit filling us with absolute faith to believe for the outcome with a single mind.

It doesn't appear to be an emotional state. We can be cool, calm and collected emotionally, much like Mr Spock, but there is the absolute knowledge that we can do it, similar to when Doctor McKoy put his hands in a machine and suddenly had all the knowledge he needed to put Spock's brain back in his head and connect everything up. That knowledge lasted for 20 minutes in which he complete the task, and then the knowledge dissipated. I know that Startrek examples are a bit off the beam, but it is the best way I know of trying to describe the gift of faith when it happens.
My brother . . . It is imperative that you study Colossians 2:9-15. Study both the KJV and the NLT. Don't read it. Study these Seven Perfect Verses. There are no more important verses in the entire Bible. Get these into the marrow of your bones and the way you will write about the Bible will be totally different.

I believe in you.
 

Lafftur

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2017
6,732
3,559
113
#95
That sounds like Bethel theology where experiences overrule written Scripture.

No, the HEART overrules.....I dare you to seek God with all your heart and let your brain tag along to gather information and take notes...
 

Lafftur

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2017
6,732
3,559
113
#96
The Bible is quite clear in itself. Just reading it gives us all the information we need to know. We don't need qualifying "revelation" to give us a deeper understanding of what is clearly written. If we can't understand and obey what God has clearly set out for us in the Bible, then there is no point in the Holy Spirit giving us more clarifying "revelation". The main issue is that many religious folk don't want to accept what the Bible clearly points out to them and they want a "second opinion" from the Holy Spirit. Jesus set a principle when he told the rich man in hell concerning his brothers believing someone who might be raised from the dead, that they have Moses and the Prophets, in other words the written Scriptures, and if they didn't believe them, they wouldn't believe even someone raised from the dead. My take then is that if folk can't accept the written New Testament, then they won't come any closer to Christ by seeking extra "revelation" from the Holy Spirit. The Spirit would say, "Go back to the written Scriptures and obey what is written there for you."
None of us humans will understand ANYTHING unless the Holy Spirit gives us understanding.

Jesus Christ had to breathe on His disciples AFTER His resurrection and say, “Receive the Holy Spirit’” before any of them understand any of the scriptures.

Jesus Christ is THE WORD and The Spirit AND The Word agree, amen. :love:(y)
 
Mar 17, 2021
560
165
43
#97
None of us humans will understand ANYTHING unless the Holy Spirit gives us understanding.

Jesus Christ had to breathe on His disciples AFTER His resurrection and say, “Receive the Holy Spirit’” before any of them understand any of the scriptures.

Jesus Christ is THE WORD and The Spirit AND The Word agree, amen. :love:(y)
The Scripture says that the just shall live by faith, not experiences or feelings. Faith comes by hearing and believing the written Word of God; in other words, reading the Bible or hearing the Gospel preached. The Scripture also says that without faith it is impossible to please God, and that faith is the evidence of things not seen, and the assurance of things hoped for.

Therefore the Holy Spirit works in us through our faith. It is according to our faith that we walk in the Spirit, not according to our feelings or experiences.

If you are basing faith on sensory experiences, inner voices, or emotional "heart" feelings then you are not walking in the Spirit by faith. What you are describing is a form of Gnosticism which denies the objective revelation inspired by the Holy Spirit to the Apostles, who wrote the New Testament. This form of Gnosticism is represented by the New Age movement which is mystical in nature, depending on emotion and sensory experiences. It is also the belief that the inner voice of the Spirit supersedes the written Scriptures and therefore revelation becomes subjective instead of objective, causing people to believe the impressions, dreams, voices and visions from "the Spirit" rather than what is objectively written in the New Testament.
 

Funkus

Active member
May 20, 2020
199
71
28
#98
The best revelation is one that helps understand who God is more clearly in the relationship that's not the same thing as looking for additional revelations just to know stuff! That's not the real prize. The Spirit is infinitely trustworthy and wholesome and is also not a power or something that comes from God that isn't God.
I think people interpret scripture through the idea of God that they have, therefore Jesus gave us the right idea through himself and the Spirit. So to sum up the knowledge of stuff and revelations is nothing compared to a closer walk with God in the Spirit he gave us
 

Lafftur

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2017
6,732
3,559
113
#99
The Scripture says that the just shall live by faith, not experiences or feelings. Faith comes by hearing and believing the written Word of God; in other words, reading the Bible or hearing the Gospel preached. The Scripture also says that without faith it is impossible to please God, and that faith is the evidence of things not seen, and the assurance of things hoped for.

Therefore the Holy Spirit works in us through our faith. It is according to our faith that we walk in the Spirit, not according to our feelings or experiences.

If you are basing faith on sensory experiences, inner voices, or emotional "heart" feelings then you are not walking in the Spirit by faith. What you are describing is a form of Gnosticism which denies the objective revelation inspired by the Holy Spirit to the Apostles, who wrote the New Testament. This form of Gnosticism is represented by the New Age movement which is mystical in nature, depending on emotion and sensory experiences. It is also the belief that the inner voice of the Spirit supersedes the written Scriptures and therefore revelation becomes subjective instead of objective, causing people to believe the impressions, dreams, voices and visions from "the Spirit" rather than what is objectively written in the New Testament.
No, what you're saying I'm saying is NOT what I'm saying.....lol! :giggle:

Jesus Christ is The Word of God.....when He spoke, He would often say, "he who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit is saying...."

We hear The Word of God with our natural ears but, understanding of The Word of God comes from hearing what the Holy Spirit is saying.

The Word and The Holy Spirit agree, always.
:love:(y)

You and I may not agree but, we choose to still walk in love towards each other. I do enjoy discussions with you and know that you love God very much! You are a joy! :love:(y)