Volume 100, Issue 1 ________________________________Bible Prophecy Ministry



The Spirit of Truth

Focus on Jerusalem Prophecy Ministry


By: Darrell G. Young

September, 2011

 

 

 

 

The Bible depicts many different kinds of spirits. There are at least 23 references to a variety of spirits that interact mankind and influence the mind of man. To name a few, there are the spirits of wisdom, spirits of knowledge, spirits of counsel and might, spirits of grace, life, bondage, slumber, adoption, faith, holiness, fear, humility, meekness, error, and prophecy. Not to mention the greatest of all spirits, the spirit of God, and spirit of the Lord. Then there is the spirit of the Antichrist, and the spirit of evil. But, emanating from the spirit of God is also another spirit, known as the "spirit of Truth."

 

    You may ask, just what is a spirit anyway? Is it a ghost or an apparition? The Greek word for spirit is "pneuma," which refers to many things. According to the contextual usage, it usually refers to an angel or demon, or an extension of one or the other, which in turn can be empowered either by the Lord or by Satan. Spirits can also be external facilitators for rationalization and mental disposition. Spirits can also be connected to the powers in the air, which is the logistical battleground between the forces of good and evil. For this reason, Christians are exhorted to test the spirits, to see from what source they come. (I John 4:1-2 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:)

 

    When a person is called before a judge in an American court and takes the oath, he is asked the following; question, "do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?" Truth is an absolute! Without the status of absolute truth, there could be no basis for lies., or for that matter, there could be no structure and order in the world. Today, we live in a world that denies the fundamental order of absolute truth. That is the reason there is so much confusion in our modern society, and the reason why contracts and treaties fail so often. Modern society has created a vast gray area, where things are not perceived as right or wrong. Without the reality of absolute truths, there can be no distinction between right and wrong. And without the fact of truth, there would be no God, for God has proclaimed to us what is right. (Isaiah 45:19) And so, through vain philosophy, the god of this present world incessantly works to blind men to the "spirit of truth," for His strategy is to change the truth of God into a lie, and thereby make himself a god.

 

    Not without coincidence, Jesus proclaimed that He was the Truth! Furthermore, he announced that his truth could make a person free. (John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.) (John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.)   Now these are two very outstanding statements.  It would seem that if someone claimed to be the "absolute reality of the truth" that people would pay closer attention. Unfortunately, too many people do not value the truth, or the freedom that comes in knowing the truth.  It can be expressly pointed out that Jesus is the absolute truth, because He is the absolute Word of God.  John records in chapter one that the Word of God, (truth) present in the beginning was manifest in flesh and dwelt among mankind, that he was rejected by mankind, but that grace and truth came through the aforementioned "absolute Word of God," in his Son, Jesus Christ!

 

    Two thousand years ago, when Jesus (the absolute truth) was brought before Pilate to be charged with perverting the nation, and subverting the kingdom of Rome, Pilate queried Jesus about the truth. (John 18:37-38 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.  Pilate saith unto him, What is truth?)

 

   Great question, is it not? Even old Pilate was intrigued as to what was the truth. Unfortunately old Pilate was accustomed to covert intrigue and vain philosophy and thus possessed no spirit of wisdom to discern the spirit of truth. Beyond the historical fact that Jesus is the truth, He is also the provider of the spirit of truth, which in turn is the teacher of truth.

 

(John 16:13-14    Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.)

 

(John 14:16-17 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.)

 

    In these verses from John, Jesus announces to his Disciples that he is about to leave the world. He further explains that it is "expedient" for them that he go away, or else the comforter-guide-teacher cannot come. In the verse from chapter 16 quoted above, Jesus says the "Spirit of Truth" will guide his followers into all truth. Today, preachers and teachers rely too much on formal education’s for their guidance into the truth of God, but while education is wonderful, God commands his servants to test the spirits, check the Word, and rely on the Spirit of truth to lead them in the endeavor of what to believe, write, and teach.

 

    Jesus further declares that this "spirit of truth" will not be an arrogant spirit, speaking of himself, but rather will rely on "direct communication" from the Lord himself for transmitting information to Christians. The "spirit of truth" always glorifies the Lord, for the truth he shares is from the Lord. Jesus concludes this charge concerning the "spirit of truth," by informing us that the spirit of truth will show us "things to come!" This phrase is almost an exact quotation from the opening lines of Revelation chapter one where John records that Jesus has sent his angel to show his servants things which must shortly come to pass. 

 

    In these turbulent latter days, when the world is speeding headlong to a showdown with the TRUTH, it is expedient for Christians to be able to discern the truth about the times in which we live. Afterall, the spirit of truth testifies that there is also active in our world in these days a spirit of the Antichrist. The spirit of evil acts exactly the opposite of the spirit of truth. Whereas the spirit of truth always adheres to the voice-word of the Lord and seeks no credit, the spirit of Antichrist always claims things for himself. (John 5:43  I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.) The battle of the spirits in these Last Days is a major battle. As Christians laboring to endure in this world, we must be discerning of the spirits, for we have an adversary is wishes people to follow a lie! (see II Thessalonians 2:9-11)

 

(I  John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of Antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.)

 

Darrell G. Young

September 21, 2011

 

Focus on Jerusalem Prophecy Ministry

www.focusonjerusalem.com



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