The Spirit

The Spirit's conviction and drawing through the word, and the fact that it is resisted.

31 questions answered, showing 16 on page 1 of 2. About this doctrine · All topics

With Chuck SmithAre there prophets today? What is the gift of prophecy?Chuck Smith defined the New Testament gift by its purpose: "for the most part, it is just speaking forth the word of the Lord to the church for edification, for comfort, for exhortation." Paul gives the same three: "he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort" (1 Corinthians 14:3). Read Chuck on Numbers 11:24 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
With Chuck SmithCan you control speaking in tongues?Chuck Smith, Living Water, chapter 16: This brings up a very important point. Some believers contend that they have no control over their speaking in tongues. It is thought that somehow the Spirit takes over and they lose control - the Spirit overrides their will and they speak out in tongues. I remember the testimony of a good saint of God who described how she received the gift of tongues. The gas meter reader had come by her house and she went out to ask him a question, when she suddenly started to speak in tongues. The man got so frightened he ran off. Her point was, "I had no control over it." But Paul definitely teaches that the Spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet. You do have control. you don't have to speak out. "If there is no interpreter present, let him speak to himself and to God." From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
With Chuck SmithDid the gift of healing stop with the apostles?Chuck Smith, Living Water, chapter 12: Beyond that, it doesn't seem consistent that God, who healed sicknesses in answer to believing prayer throughout biblical history - from Genesis to Revelation - would suddenly stop healing the sick. Surely no one can make a biblical case that God has ceased this ministry. People can be healed today by the touch of God upon their lives. God is not limited, nor has He limited Himself. People who are sick can still be healed in response to believing prayer. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
With Chuck SmithDo all Christians speak in tongues?Chuck Smith, Living Water, chapter 16: Paul lists speaking in tongues as one of the gifts of the Spirit. In I Corinthians 12:28 he says 'And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues." Notice that tongues is last on the list. This appears to reflect an order of priorities: First apostles, last speaking in tongues. While tongues is a desirable and valued gift, we shouldn't exalt it out of measure. On the other hand, just because it's listed last doesn't mean it's unimportant. All of God's gifts are good and to be desired. After Paul lists the various gifts, he asks a series of rhetorical questions. Does everyone have the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? And the answer, of course, is no; not all have the gift of healing, and not all speak with tongues. But all the gifts he lists are legitimate. Scripture, King James Version: 1 Corinthians 12:28, "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
With Chuck SmithDo I have to be holy before I can receive the Holy Spirit?Chuck Smith, Living Water, chapter 25: We seem to feel that we must be worthy, that we have to deserve this gift. Yet because we know we are unworthy and undeserving, we disqualify ourselves for the blessing. We don't expect to receive the gift because we know we don't deserve it; after all, He fills only holy vessels. But that's all backward. The truth is that the Holy Spirit comes into your life to help you become holy. Not the other way around! Think how false it would be to say to someone, "Look, if you want to get saved, go out and clean up your act. Quit all of the rotten stuff you've been doing. Get your life right with God, because God doesn't want to save you in the mess you're in. Get yourself straightened out and then come to the Lord." I know of a lot of people who believe this. "I'll get saved once I clean up my act," they say. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
With Chuck SmithDo miracles still happen today?Chuck Smith, Living Water, chapter 13: Does God work miracles today, or did all miracles cease with the last of the apostles? This is a question that has occupied theologians for many years. I counter with my own question: "Is God dead?" A miracle is a supernatural happening. If God is still alive and still working, then there will be supernatural happenings, and, thus, the days of miracles cannot be over. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
With Chuck SmithDoes God speak to the church through tongues and interpretation?Chuck Smith, Living Water, chapter 17: The Bible says that if I speak in an unknown tongue I'm not speaking to man, but to God. "He who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries" (I Corinthians 14:2). I do not find any place in the New Testament where tongues are addressed to man. In fact, Paul asks how a person who hears an unknown tongue is going to say "amen" to the giving of thanks, since he can't understand what is said. Paul recognized that God never addressed the church through the exercise of tongues; rather, tongues addressed God with praises or thanksgiving. Therefore, if speaking in tongues is addressed to God, then a true interpretation of those tongues must also be addressed to God. If an utterance in tongues magnifies God, then the interpretation should also magnify God. If the utterance in tongues gives thanks and praise to God, then the interpretation will also give thanks and praise to God. God doesn't speak to the church in tongues, even when the utterance is interpreted. Scripture, King James Version: 1 Corinthians 14:2, "For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
With Chuck SmithDoes God still speak through dreams and visions today?Chuck Smith, Living Water, chapter 6: I have never had a vision in this sense, nor do I think I have ever had a dream of spiritual import. Yet I do not at all discount them or consider them invalid for today. Doesn't Peter quote the prophet Joel as saying, "Your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams" (Acts 2:17)? I'm too old for a vision, but I'm still open to dreams. Scripture, King James Version: Acts 2:17, "And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
With Chuck SmithHow can you recognize a false prophet?Chuck Smith, Living Water, chapter 15: You can't always tell false prophets by what they say. Many times what they say is 99 percent correct - that's what makes them so dangerous. You can't always tell them by their actions, either - Jesus said they would perform great signs and wonders. Both Peter and Paul warned that a certain sign of a false prophet was his intention to defraud you, to take your money and make it his. Through feigned words they will take advantage of you financially. Through flattery and fine speeches they aim to rip you off. Peter wrote, "By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words" (II Peter 2:3). And Paul said these men were "destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain" (I Timothy 6:5). There is a key: If anyone teaches you that godliness is a path to riches, Paul says you can consider him or her a false prophet. "From such withdraw yourself," he commands (I Timothy 6:5). Scripture, King James Version: 2 Peter 2:3, "And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not."; 1 Timothy 6:5, "Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
With Chuck SmithHow can you tell if a spiritual gift is genuine?Chuck Smith, Living Water, chapter 8: The overarching principle concerning the gifts of the Spirit is this: The true gifts of the Holy Spirit, when manifested in a scriptural and correct way, will always focus people's hearts on Jesus Christ. Jesus said the Spirit would not testify of Himself, but of Christ. The scriptural exercise of the gifts will always give you a fresh vision of Jesus Christ and His glory, causing you to fall in love with Him, and to be drawn to Him all over again. Your heart will almost explode with love and appreciation for what Jesus is and what He is able to do. This is the chief way by which you can tell whether any gift is a true manifestation of the Holy Spirit. Is there a great deal of attention drawn to the person exercising the gift? In the magazines various ministries send out, whose picture is on every other page? To whom are they drawing attention? Who are they promoting? Who are they seeking to raise up in the eyes of the people? A true manifestation of the Holy Spirit will always exalt the person of Jesus Christ. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
With Chuck SmithHow do I know I received the Holy Spirit if I didn't feel anything?Chuck Smith, Living Water, chapter 25: I think something similar happens when we plead for a sign from heaven to prove that God has filled us with His Holy Spirit. Sometimes, in His mercy, God does give us that sign - but then He says to us, "You've had the holy tingles and you believe. But blessed are they who believe without the holy tingles." We are to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit by faith. There may be tingles or there may not. The gift of the Holy Spirit is received by faith apart from evidence. Certainly evidence will come, but the evidence isn't the proof. Faith receives without evidence. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
With Chuck SmithHow do I know if God is speaking to me?Chuck Smith, Why Grace Changes Everything, chapter 6: I wish I could provide a formula or a simple, three-point test to identify God's voice, but if such a procedure exists, I haven't discovered it. I struggle in distinguishing the voice of the Spirit from that of my flesh, just as you do. I wish I could recommend some foolproof way of being certain we are hearing from God, but unfortunately, that is beyond my ability. And yet, God hasn't left us in a confusing fog. He has sent His Holy Spirit to dwell within our hearts not only to guide us in particular circumstances but also to lead us into an understanding of the revealed truth of His Word. He will never lead us contrary to anything He has already declared in the Scriptures. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
With Chuck SmithHow do I receive a spiritual gift?Chuck Smith, The Holy Spirit Study Guide, Chapter 25: How to Receive Your Gift of the Spirit: Though the Holy Spirit is sovereign in giving gifts, Paul’s command to “covet [desire] earnestly” the best gifts suggests that we don’t have to be passive. 1. We should actively seek our gift from the Spirit for our ministry within the body. 2. If we wait upon God, put ourselves in a position to receive from Him, and be available for Him to use, He will begin to use us. 3. We will receive our gift from the Spirit (Galatians 3:2) by faith. Scripture, King James Version: 1 Corinthians 12:31, "But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way."; Galatians 3:2, "This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?". Study notes condensed from his teaching by The Word For Today. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
Whosoever WillHow does the Holy Spirit convict a person of sin?Through the word preached. "When he is come, he will reprove the world of sin" (John 16:8). The Greek elenchō means to prove a person wrong to his face; the Spirit does this in the hearer as the gospel is preached.
With Chuck SmithIs being slain in the Spirit biblical?Chuck Smith, Answers for Today, chapter 11: Using the Bible as our final authority for all faith and practice, we would have to confess that the Bible lacks any solid, scriptural evidence for this experience of being slain in the Spirit. Those who advocate this experience seek to point out that Daniel fell on his face before the Lord when the angel of the Lord appeared to him. In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus asked the soldiers, “Whom seek ye?” They said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” He said, “I am He,” after which the soldiers fell over backward. Some people refer to that as being slain in the Spirit. Then, they refer to Paul the apostle on the road to Damascus. But none of these cases are anything like the experience that people today refer to as being slain in the Spirit. We don’t read of Jesus laying hands on people and of them being slain in the Spirit. Nor do we find any teaching on it in the Book of Acts or in the epistles. Thus, I reject it as an unscriptural experience. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
With Chuck SmithIs it the fruit of the Spirit or fruits of the Spirit?Chuck Smith, Charisma vs. Charismania, chapter 13: You have probably heard that there are nine fruits of the Spirit. I have heard messages on the nine gifts of the Spirit and the nine fruits of the Spirit. But I want you to look closely at Galatians 5:22: “The fruit of the Spirit is agapé.” As I understand English grammar and as I understand Greek grammar, if there were nine fruits Paul would have said, “But the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, etc.” But that is not what he said. It is in the singular: “The fruit of the Spirit is love.” Then what are these other things in the verse? What about the joy, the peace, the long suffering, the gentleness, the goodness, the faith, the meekness, and the temperance? These are all defining the agapé. Our English usage of the word love is so weak that it can mean almost anything. So Paul defines this agapé by using these other words. Scripture, King James Version: Galatians 5:22, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.