Don’t Sin Against the Holy Spirit

As believers in Jesus, we should be careful at all times with our words. We want to be especially vigilant that we do not speak any words that could be misconstrued as criticizing the Holy Spirit of God. Let’s see what the Bible says about this:

Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. (Mt 12:32 NIV, underscoring added)

But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never be forgiven, but is guilty of eternal sin. (Mk 3:29 ISV, underscoring added)

And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. (Lk 12:10 MEV)

One commentator says this:

“Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is willful, wide-eyed slandering of the work of the Spirit, attributing to the devil what was undeniably divine. These people had seen as clearly as anyone could see and understood as lucidly as anyone could understand that Jesus performed his miracles by the power of the Spirit.”

That is a clear explanation of what the Bible is referring to when it describes blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. No one who is a follower of Jesus Christ and a servant of the Most high God would ever want to transgress against the Lord in this way.

Sometimes, it’s just good to remind ourselves of some of these basic ideas so that we can renew our vigilance in these areas. God bless you.

Tender & Humble, Contrite Hearts

Our God and Father cares about all of His people, but He especially watches over and saves people with:

tender [loving, gentle, compassionate];
humble [meek, unassuming]; and
contrite [remorseful, repentant] hearts.

Let’s examine some Bible passages on this topic.

“But as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, in this manner you shall speak to him, ‘Thus says the Lord God of Israel: “Concerning the words which you have heard—because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they would become a desolation and a curse, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you,” says the Lord. Surely, therefore, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace; and your eyes shall not see all the calamity which I will bring on this place.”’” So they brought back word to the king. (2 Kgs 22:18-20 NKJV)

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart—these, O God, You will not despise. (Ps. 51:17 NKJV)

For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” (Isa 57:15 NKJV)

The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. (Ps 34:18 NKJV)

God will delay a plan that He has set in place in response to a tender and humble heart. He looks with compassion upon people who are gentle and have repentance in their hearts.

He wants to save and renew all those with remorseful and penitent hearts.

God desires to restore and renew all who have a broken heart, so if this describes your situation, turn to the Lord now. He will prove Himself to be loving, merciful, and forgiving. Hallelujah!

The Inexorable Force

Our God is the Inexorable Force of the universe. What He says always, ALWAYS comes to pass. When we become born again, He places His hand upon us in such a way that we must share His Truth and His Word. These verses illustrate what I’m saying:

But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! ²⁰As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Ac 4:19-20 NIV, underlining added)

But if I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot. (Jer 20:9 NIV)

“Well, I have come to you now,” Balaam replied. “But I can’t say whatever I please. I must speak only what God puts in my mouth.” (Num 22:38 NIV)

In our hearts, we feel that force within us that compels us to testify that Jesus is the Redeemer of all mankind—the hope of all the world. If we are not aware of an inner inducement to share the Good News with others, then it is time to renew our commitment to the Lord and to rededicate ourselves to His purposes.

In Acts 17:16-17, we read that Paul was provoked to share the gospel message with the people in Athens. Jesus addressed His followers in Acts 1:8 to tell them that they would be His witnesses in this world.

We must confess, along with 2 Samuel 23:2: “The Spirit of the Lord speaks by me; His word is on my tongue.” Let us lift our voices and testify to the loving goodness and kindness of our God and Savior. The Holy Spirit (The Inexorable Force) within each one of us lovingly requires it of us all.

Strength for the Weary

God reminds us in His Word that He will strengthen us when we are weak, and even increase our vigor.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. (Isa 40:29 NIV)

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (Isa 40:31 NKJV)

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Cor 12:9 NKJV)

A significant point to remember is that we need to turn to the Lord, and seek His help. We need to focus on Him and His love and goodness in order to access the strength that He is able to give.

When our goal is to live for Jesus and to extend His loving message of forgiveness and salvation to others, we are assured that He is our ever present help. (Ps 46:1)

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. (Eph 6:10)

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil 4:13)

It’s good for us to turn to the Lord in times of stress, challenge, or difficulty. When we’re feeling weak, fragile or defenseless, the Lord promises that He is our strength. He will empower and strengthen His beloved, causing us to soar above our circumstances. (Isa 40:31) What a blessed promise!

Be an Encourager

That’s why you must encourage and help each other, just as you are already doing. (1 Thes 5:11 CEV)

So when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. ³¹When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement. ³²Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words. (Ac 15:30-32)

The Bible reminds us to encourage one another in our faith. That also means that we should encourage each other in every area of life, since faith touches literally everything in our lives. The Scriptures are full of encouraging words to guide our lives and to spur us on to faith and action. Here a just a few of those passages:

For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory. (Deu 20:4)
Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. (Ps 34:10b)
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isa 40:31)
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isa 41:10)
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Mt 11:28)
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Cor 10:13)
I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Phil 4:13)
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:19)

Take as many opportunities as you can to encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ to cling to the Lord and to their faith in Him. You will be blessed and encouraged as well.

Wisdom of this World

Is there any true wisdom in this world? Here’s what the Bible has to say about worldly wisdom:

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness;” and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” (1 Cor 3:19-20)

Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? (1 Cor 1:20)

According to the Word, there is no true wisdom that exists in this world, apart from Godly wisdom. How do we, as believers and disciples of Jesus, obtain God’s wisdom?

Ask the Lord for it. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (Jas 1:5)
Grow up into Christ—speak the truth in love. So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ . . . (Eph 4:14-15)
Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Rom 12:2)
Study the wisdom from above. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. (Jas 3:17)
Understand and come to know the Lord—then boast in Him! Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” (Jer 9:23-24)
Set your minds on things that are above. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (Col 3:2) That means we need to think about heavenly, godly things. Meditate upon the Scriptures and the goodness of God.
Do not love the world or the things of the world. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (1 Joh 2:15-17)
Fear the Lord. By “fear,” I mean to respect and reverence the Lord. When we fear the Lord, we put His opinion about everything and His instruction to us in first place in our lives. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is (Pro 9:10) This fear of the Lord will establish us securely on the path to learning of and receiving the wisdom of God.

HOW Does a Soul Prosper?

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. (3 Joh 1:2)

How does a soul prosper? What is a soul? According to the Bible, we each have three parts: a body, a soul, and a spirit. (see 1 Thes 5:23)

Each one of us is a spirit; we live in our own body; and we each have a soul. Mankind was made in the image of God (Gen 1:26); and God is a Spirit (Joh 4:24). Therefore we, too, are spirit-beings.

We can see that we each have a soul that is distinctly separate and different from our spirit:

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Heb 4:12)

Even though the spirit and the soul are joined together, they are still separate parts of every individual. So, we live in a body (2 Cor 5:6, 8) that has a soul. The soul is where the emotions, the will, and the intellect dwell.

Did you see that according to 3 John 1:2, the level or degree to which we prosper, and/or obtain the health and healing of God is directly related to the level or degree that our soul (the thinking, reasoning part of us: The Mind) is prospering?

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Rom 12:2)

So our circumstances and situations can be changed once we have changed the way that we think about them! How may we change our thoughts? When we renew our minds with God’s promises contained in His Word, we change the way that we think about our situation. And what naturally follows is that our emotions and will then follow where our thoughts take us.

God has given each one of us the gift of grace (Eph 2:8). By God’s gift of grace, we may obediently and intentionally place our soul upon the path of prosperity.

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