A True Work of the Spirit (Part 2)
January 30th, 2007
(By John MacArthur)
Yesterday we saw that a true work of the Holy Spirit exalts the true Christ. Today, we will continue by looking at another mark of the Spirit’s work. The following material is condensed, adapted and excerpted from Jonathan Edwards’s The Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God.
It Opposes Satan’s Interests
“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them.” (1 John 4:4-5)
When the spirit that is at work operates against the interests of Satan’s kingdom, against sin, and against worldly lusts — this is a sure sign that it is a true, and not a false spirit.
Here is a plain antithesis. The apostle is comparing those who are influenced by two opposite spirits, the true and the false. The difference is plain: the one is of God, and overcomes the spirit of the world; the other is of the world, and is obsessed with the things of the world. The devil is called “he who is in the world.”
What the apostle means by “the world,” or “the things that are in the world,” we learn by his own words: “Do not love the world, nor 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 lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world” (2:15-16). So by “the world” the apostle evidently means everything that pertains to the interest of sin. The term also comprehends all the corruptions and lusts of men, as well as all those acts and objects by which they are gratified.
We may also safely determine from what the apostle says that whatever lessons people’s esteem of the pleasures, profits, and honors of the world; whatever turns their hearts from an eager pursuit after these things; whatever engages them in a due concern about eternity and causes them earnestly to seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness; whatever convinces them of the dreadfulness of sin, the guilt it brings, and the misery to which it exposes — must be the Spirit of God.
It is not to be supposed that Satan would convince men of sin or awaken the conscience. It can no way serve his end to make that candle of the Lord shine the brighter. It is for his interest, whatever he does, to lull conscience asleep and keep it quite. To have that with its eyes and mouth open in the soul would tend to clog and hinder all his designs of darkness. The awakened conscience would evermore disturb his affairs, cross his interests, and disquiet him. Would the devil, when he is about to establish people in sin, take such a course? Would he make them more careful, inquisitive, and watchful to discern what is sinful, and to avoid future sins, and to be more wary of the devil’s temptations?
The man who has an awakened conscience is the least likely to be deceived of any man in the world; it is the drowsy, insensible, stupid conscience that is most easily blinded. The Spirit that operates thus cannot be the spirit of the devil; Satan will not cast out Satan (Matt. 12:25-26). Therefore if we see persons made sensible of the dreadful nature of sin and the displeasure of God against it, we may conclude that this concern is from the Spirit of God.
(To be continued tomorrow)
Seems Satan’s grandest, and most subtle, deception is within the Church. He has disciples that are clean on the outside. These are ministers of righteousness, however it’s a white-washed righteousness.
Difficult to recognize false brethern. Though the Lord said you will know them by their fruit, or lack therof.
I suppose the greatest testimony from the Holy Spirit in the believers life is love for Christ Himself, and that is manifested in a love for His Word, and for all other people in this world.
At the same time, ” … whatever … causes them earnestly to seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness … -must be the Spirit of God.” Amen.
I must say that as I read these two articles that I was convicted of things in my heart that were “of the world.” Most people would look at those things and be bewildered that such small insignificant things like what types of music we listen to or books we read would bring that sort of rebuke from the Holy Spirit. But, since this article is obviously “of the Spirit,” I was deeply convicted about those things. While most people would see those things as trivial and harmless, the thing of this world are the snares that capture us into idolatry. Thank you for posting this series and I pray that all who read this will repent and seek the Lord’s face as the Spirit leads.
In Christ
Mike Ratliff
Mr. MacArthur,
I would like to thank you one, for your minstry in general, I have learned so much on the theology that we are to follow and using the bible(Your Bible is best for studying I have the NASB, The notes are great to go by after reading scripture).
Also I would like to thank you for bring Jonathan Edwards to this Generation I have not read alot of his stuff, but am interested in reading more.
Plus, would like to thank you for puting this blog Started reding it for the first time today, and loved this study on the True Works of the Holy Spirit.
With so many false teachers in the Christian faith it can be difficult finding the truth. i have been in that situation all my life, being mixed up theologically,, mixing a Baptist like faith with my Grandparents Charasmatic faith. i have been so confused until I start studing using your teachings and reading the bible, for myself.
God Bless you And GTY
Kevin Woodson
Broken Arrow, Ok
The devil is certainly a lion going about seeing whom he may devour! Oh, how we need to come out and be separate from the obvious things that are of this world. I don’t even think we realize the degree in which we are saturated in this culture. I thank God that He will continue to show us how holy He does expect us to be. I have also seen how human beings have a unique way of turning even “non-sinful” things into an idol, thus, creating a trap of sin. While God has cleansed out much of the filth of this world including TV and movies out of my life, I have yet to saturate my whole life and thought processes with God, and thus, find that “non-sinful” things become an idol to me. It is very Pharisee-like to get rid of the things of this world unless I let go of those things in order to grab onto God. When I let go of the worldly things and FORGET to grab onto Him by His gift of grace through Bible studying; prayer; spreading the Gospel; fellowship with the saints; and giving to others, then I set my behavior up as an idol or I begin to grab onto different more deadly things of the world than that which I hung onto before. I must confess that I am a rule follower because it gives me comfort that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing. This is huge for me as God is cleansing away my control, striping me of all my good deeds, and letting me fall on my face most of the time. I then crawl before Him and cry out for His mercy to continue His good work in me despite my interference. “It’s hard to let go and let God.” I could never muster up the desire of wanting to come into His presence which is why I am so thankful for His unending grace which draws me to His table. I am a complete believer in that whatever we do we should do it with the full striving of glorifying God. I’m glad that He has been teaching me that we are allowed to have hobbies, sports, and family game times in which we bring God and thoroughly saturate those times with Him. If I were perfect, I would do this all of the time, but at last, I am not! God through His kindness and great mercies toward me and because He will not deny Himself grabs me from sinking sand and places my feet back on that very narrow path which leads to righteousness. I have often found that, although the way is narrow, when I am feasting at His table and glorifying Him, I am more free in Him and peace and joy reigns in my heart. Reflecting on this makes the things of this world seem foolish indeed!
We have Edward’s book here at home and it’s good. I agree with most of what’s written.
There is one point I would like to comment on.
“It is not to be supposed that Satan would convince men of sin or awaken the conscience.”
It is true that Satan does not want to cause conviction of sin leading to repentance. But Satan is called, “the accuser of our brethren” Rev. 12:10 He certainly tries to convince men of their sins for the purpose of guilt, condemnation, and feelings of unworthiness. He will even remind you of sins that you have already repented of and received your forgiveness. The devil can be a real legalist. Condemning you for every fault. This is the proverbial “guilt trip” where Satan desires that, “such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.” II Cor. 2:7 Satan is diabolical. He will tempt you to sin on the one hand and then on the other hand he’ll accuss you and beat you over the head with condemnation for having done what he tempted you to do. But this kind of sorrow only results in depression and condemnation or perhap anger over being caught. This is how the “sorrow of the world worketh death.” II Cor. 7:10 Satan does not want his condemnation to result in repentance, forgiveness and eternal life.
The Holy Spirit doesn’t just convince us of our sins. He convicts us John 16:8 and pricks our heart (conscience) Acts 2:37 for the purpose of bringing us to repentance and faith. “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of:” II Cor. 7:10 We should be careful to life up Jesus and continue to preach the essential truths of the gospel.
Yours in Christ,
Riley
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