> General Discussions
Being in Spirit
Roy Martin:
Very good Christopher, I'm glad you caught and noticed all of that. I did contradict myself didn't I,? but it was to make a point that we never know when one is in spirit.
Some would have thought I was not in spirit, and at first I didn't know it. Its just been in this thread that I realize that, spirit coming upon us, and being in spirit is the same thing. For someone to have told me I wasn't in Spirit would have been in error. There was a time at first that some one told me it was the Holy Spirit coming on me, and I didn't believe them. The Holy Spirit is definitely a wonderful thing. It would be nice to feel it all the time, or at least more of it than this carnal mind.
It was taken in Love; ;D
Peace
Roy
daywalker:
--- Quote from: Roy Martin on January 13, 2010, 11:28:05 AM ---The Holy Spirit is definitely a wonderful thing. It would be nice to feel it all the time, or at least more of it than this carnal mind.
It was taken in Love; ;D
Peace
Roy
--- End quote ---
I could not agree with you more!!! ;D :D
Deborah-Leigh:
Hi Roy
Eph4:3 is very beautiful and to appreciate its fullness I have copied vs 1 and 2. It explains how we are to recognize one another. Long-suffering is part of the process.
Eph 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the calling with which you are called,
Eph 4:2 with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love,
Eph 4:3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Eph 4:3 endeavoring to KEEP the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ray points out that the unity of the Spirit is not something we have to create or make. The Unity of the Spirit IS KEPT in the bond of peace by forbearing one another in love. It already exists. 8)
It is not something we can put on or choose to be in as you correctly discern. Like Jesus, we can do nothing without the Spirit of God. We know that Christ is Spirit and that His Father too, is Spirit. They are not A Spirit but they are Spirit.
In order to keep the unity of the Spirit we are to bear one another in love which is not the love of the flesh but the Love of God.
Act 17:28 For in Him we live and move and have our being, as also certain of your own poets have said, For we are also His offspring.
Arc
Roy Martin:
Marques, I reread your last post with more understanding, and gave it some thought. Its just now sinking in to agree with everything you said.
--- Quote from: mharrell08 on January 13, 2010, 10:32:27 AM ---
--- Quote from: Roy Martin on January 13, 2010, 07:43:44 AM --- What exactly is being in Spirit?
--- End quote ---
Hello Roy,
I think it can help if we all understand what exactly 'being in spirit' is. I wouldn't even use the term 'being in spirit' but rather having spiritual discernment or understanding.
1 Cor 2:12-14 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
To me, it is more of a state of mind and an understanding in our hearts. I don't believe for you, myself, or anyone else this is something that 'comes and goes' but rather something that continues to come into our remembrance to keep us in the faith.
My wife and I had a discussion once about the following passage:
Heb 6:4-6 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
v7-8 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
Now, for my wife who is NOT a believer, the only thing she understood this verse to state is 'that it is impossible to renew them again to repentance'. That's it...she didn't even bother to keep reading verses 7 & 8 and she thought this passage interpreted itself.
I have no qualms in saying this: that is a carnal mindset at work in her understanding. She already THINKS that not all will be saved so that's all she sees. God has not opened her eyes to the spiritual discernment needed to understand all of this message.
The very end of verse 8, 'end is to be burned', explains the fate of those not renewed to repentance. We, as believers, know that burned is symbolic of judgment by fire which produces righteousness. God has given us spiritual discernment to aid our understanding of not only the plan of God, but also Holy and Just Character of God.
Excuse me for going somewhat off-track, but I hope you understand what I mean.
Now, in regards to questions and answers on the forum, every situation I believe is different. Some members simply don't see or understand a particular passage or excerpt from Ray and are asking questions for clarification. There's nothing wrong with that, this activity is to be encouraged, and a member should not be belittled.
On the other hand, some members attempt to justify (not seek understanding but rather state their case) that their interpretation of doctrine is true. It may 'seem' like they are simply asking a question, but they spend their entire post trying to justify their beliefs and conform scriptures to what they are saying instead of 'conforming their minds' to the Word of God. Basically, they want the scriptures to fit their beliefs instead of changing theirs to fit the scriptures. That is being carnal and if members recognize it and call one out for it, I don't see anything wrong with that.
--- Quote from: Roy Martin on January 13, 2010, 09:37:22 AM ---How do we not know in their unbelief that God is calling them to the truth by leading them here? I know that God is in control of what they believe, and that it might not matter what people say to them because when the spirit is working in someone and Gods will is being done in them, then nothing anyone can say to them about being carnal really matters.
--- End quote ---
1 Cor 11:19 ...there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
Matt 7:16 & 20 Ye shall know them by their fruits...
Roy, as I stated above, seeking understanding is not what is carnal and members who do so are not implied as such. Members who are said to be carnal minded are those who are NOT seeking understanding but rather justifying their own pet beliefs. There will continue to be heresies among us to further distinguish those God is truly calling...and we shall know them by their fruits.
Hope this helps,
Marques
--- End quote ---
Its good to have those that know the scriptures, or that can clarify something I might be getting twisted in. Thanks Marque.
Peace
Roy
MePogo:
Not sure I understand "Being in Spirit" but this thread reminded me of an experience many years ago. My ex-daughter-in-law joined a church that was really weird to me and for 6 months or more pestered me to at least visit the church. I had no intention of going because I didn't share what she explained the beliefs were. I was raised high Episcopal and the ritual and formality were in my comfort zone. Finally, I gave in and agreed to attend a Wednesday night service with her. She said I shouldn't be so critical if I didn't even visit. Wow, what an experience. It began with introductions to many women who all called me "sister" and were actually very welcoming. Then, in the front, out of a ton of huge speakers, the music rocked. Everyone began to sway and "Praise God" and seemed to go into a trance. People fell to the floor, some began speaking in tongues, repeating nonsense sounds. A few, I would have sworn, were having seizures. It was terrifying to me who had never seen anything like that in my life. The beat of the music seemed so loud that you felt like you were having some kind of psycho experience. I was really scared and when I couldn't take it any more, literally ran out. It was explained to me that the wonderful experience I hadn't experienced was because I have been deemed unworthy for my deeds, known only to God, during the previous week. If one has been without sin during the week, our bodies are good enough to be inhabited by "The Spirit of God." Then and only then can we feel the joy that these people felt and displayed. My personal impression was that the brain-numbing thunder of the "music" and the need to show others your purity during the previous week led to a church filled with people trying to out-weird each other. Imagine the noise, people moaning, others praying loudly, dozens speaking nonsense sounds, rather screaming them....no one listening but each one trying to show their spiritfilled gift as proof of their goodness. If I'd seen it in a movie, I would have thought it unrealistic. But there are actually people doing this stuff. If this is being in the Spirit, I thank God for avoiding me. To me in Spirit is a quiet moment, all too rare, when you talk IN PRIVATE with God. It is calming and refreshing and just a brief moment when you feel His presence.
Please forgive me if I'm way off base with this post. Guess I'm just not sure what Being in the Spirit really is. But you can bet I experienced what it isn't. And I don't think it's something you find in a church.
Hugs and blessings to all
Pogo
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