> General Discussions
Being in Spirit
Marky Mark:
Hello Roy.Here is a partial email reply from Ray. Kind of sums up, to me at least, as to what Spirit is and how it is applied.
http://www.forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,1594.0.html
God's Holy Spirit is His Spirit of Holiness which imparts spiritual knowledge and spiritual character to those who possess it. The wicked and unbelievers have a spirit that keeps them alive, but they have no spiritual perception of spiritual truths because they do not possess the Holy Spirit of God living in us through Jesus Christ our Lord.
And some verse.
John 14:16–17
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
John 14:26
26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
John 15:26
26 “When the Counselor 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 16:14
14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.
Peace...Mark
mharrell08:
--- 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
Roy Martin:
--- Quote from: Marky Mark on January 13, 2010, 09:57:48 AM ---Hello Roy.Here is a partial email reply from Ray. Kind of sums up, to me at least, as to what Spirit is and how it is applied.
http://www.forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,1594.0.html
God's Holy Spirit is His Spirit of Holiness which imparts spiritual knowledge and spiritual character to those who possess it. The wicked and unbelievers have a spirit that keeps them alive, but they have no spiritual perception of spiritual truths because they do not possess the Holy Spirit of God living in us through Jesus Christ our Lord.
And some verse.
John 14:16–17
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
John 14:26
26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
John 15:26
26 “When the Counselor 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 16:14
14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.
Peace...Mark
--- End quote ---
I love those scriptures Mark. When I was in prison and had no one.The people in the church forgot about me, my family also. I got so mad and heartbroken and sick of these people for hurting me when I kept reaching out to them in letters to comfort me. I looked at these scriptures and said." God I'm not asking for this, because you promised it and I claim it. I expect to receive it with arms wide open." Suddenly, I felt God wrap His arms around me, and many things started to change. He healed my broken heart and put it in me to forgive those that broke my heart. It had to be that way so I would stop reaching out to people and give it to God first. It all turned out good.
God's Holy Spirit is His Spirit of Holiness which imparts spiritual knowledge and spiritual character to those who possess it. The wicked and unbelievers have a spirit that keeps them alive, but they have no spiritual perception of spiritual truths because they do not possess the Holy Spirit of God living in us through Jesus Christ our Lord.
In the words above,( the wicked and unbelievers;) I use to be one of those, and was in complete state of unbelieving when God called me, and dropped me to my knees. I didn't posses the Holy Spirit, or I didn't know it, nor did I know any truth or have any perception of it. Even when I started crying out to Him I was in doubt that He existed, but I didn't give up. What could it hurt I thought.
So was I in spirit, or have the Holy Spirit when I was totally screwed up to no end in carnality and unbelief? Yes I was, but only a little at a time.Even that little bit took many many months to get me starting to believe.
I just can't know when someone has the Spirit, or is in Spirit, considering how it was with me.
Even the wolf might not know that the spirit is fixing to drop him to his knees as they are trying to prove us wrong in their visits here scoping out some prey.
Roy
Roy Martin:
Marques, I was typing as you were posting, and I was informed of your post and read it before posting my last one, but since I had it typed I thought I'd send it anyway.
Yes Marques, I understand what you are saying, and hope I haven't been rambling too much with this topic of which as I said, got more attention than I expected, but its all good and opened some new doors for me, and closed a window or two or vise verse.
Thanks Mark and Marques, Craig and Sampson and anyone else that replies and your time.
Roy
daywalker:
Hello Roy,
In regards to 'being in Spirit', I think you understand more than you realize. The proof is in your contradicting statements:
--- Quote from: Roy Martin on January 13, 2010, 07:43:44 AM ---In fact I don't know that I have ever been in Spirit. It is the Spirit that has revealed things to me even when I wasn't thinking about it.
--- End quote ---
How do you suppose that the Spirit has revealed things to you, if not by you being IN Spirit? Anytime the Spirit reveals something to you, you are IN Spirit at that time!
--- Quote from: Roy Martin on January 13, 2010, 07:43:44 AM ---The Spirit has come on me many times, but its not one of those things that seems to always be there, nor something I chose.
--- End quote ---
Well of course not. Even the apostles weren't in Spirit ALL the time. Notice:
Rev 1:9-10
I John, who also am your brother... was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet...
John says he was in Spirit on that day as God revealed to him the prophecies of Revelation. But why would he say that if he was ALWAYS in Spirit???
What do you think it means when the Spirit COMES UPON YOU? Is that not being IN Spirit? If not, then what is it?
--- Quote from: Roy Martin on January 13, 2010, 07:43:44 AM ---I wasn't in spirit when God called me to cry out to him and start seeking Him when I didn't believe in Him, or love Him, or know Him in any way.
--- End quote ---
To quote Ray, "Oh Really?" And how do you suppose that you, who DID NOT BELIEVE in God, and DID NOT LOVE Him, and DID NOT KNOW Him "in ANY way", suddenly decide to answer God's Call IF not in Spirit?
As far as calling people carnal--though I agree there is a right way to do it, and there is a 'self-righteous' way to do it--please also remember that the Apostle Paul accused his followers several times of being "yet carnal"; yet this same Paul also tells us to "follow his example"... That would include the example of letting fellow brothers know when they are acting 'carnally' correct?
I say this all in Love. God Bless You,
Christopher 8)
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