Comments on: A True Work of the Spirit (Part 2) http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/01/30/a-true-work-of-the-spirit-part-2/ A Ministry of Shepherds' Fellowship Sun, 01 Mar 2009 19:54:00 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: PastorResources Blog - Beta » Blog Archive » A True Work of the Spirit http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/01/30/a-true-work-of-the-spirit-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-7065 PastorResources Blog - Beta » Blog Archive » A True Work of the Spirit Wed, 31 Jan 2007 13:29:09 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/01/30/a-true-work-of-the-spirit-part-2/#comment-7065 [...] Part 2 - It Opposes Satan’s Interests. [...] [...] Part 2 – It Opposes Satan’s Interests. [...]

]]> By: Riley Brown http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/01/30/a-true-work-of-the-spirit-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-7012 Riley Brown Wed, 31 Jan 2007 03:47:21 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/01/30/a-true-work-of-the-spirit-part-2/#comment-7012 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 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

]]> By: sarah http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/01/30/a-true-work-of-the-spirit-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-7000 sarah Tue, 30 Jan 2007 23:01:48 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/01/30/a-true-work-of-the-spirit-part-2/#comment-7000 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! 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!

]]> By: Kevin Woodson http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/01/30/a-true-work-of-the-spirit-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-6997 Kevin Woodson Tue, 30 Jan 2007 21:34:28 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/01/30/a-true-work-of-the-spirit-part-2/#comment-6997 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 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

]]> By: Mike Ratliff http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/01/30/a-true-work-of-the-spirit-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-6995 Mike Ratliff Tue, 30 Jan 2007 20:51:00 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/01/30/a-true-work-of-the-spirit-part-2/#comment-6995 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 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

]]> By: donsands http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/01/30/a-true-work-of-the-spirit-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-6980 donsands Tue, 30 Jan 2007 13:28:22 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/01/30/a-true-work-of-the-spirit-part-2/#comment-6980 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. 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.

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