In this series of three articles concerning spiritual movements, I will briefly look at a third fruit from scripture. The focus expressed in each article is not directed at a person or an event but is meant to be a series of contemplations on the scriptural guidelines regarding spiritual movements. After all, there are specific biblical accounts in which God did clearly manifest His presence. Many people are hungry to experience an authentic move of God but unfortunately are unable to discern God’s hand in action. Jesus stated, “each tree is known by its own fruit” Luke 6:44. Let’s look at another biblical fruit and wisely discern modern day spiritual movements. True movements of God will always foster a renewed reverence and hunger for the Word of God. When the Spirit of God moves on the hearts of individuals and repentance takes place, there is always a renewed reverence and hunger for God’s Word. In the midst of a true movement of God there will always be a strong spiritual yearning for more of God’s Word. The Holy Spirit will never leave any believer to disrespect, spurn, or hold in low regard the Word of God. The Holy Spirit will lead us into truth (John 16:13). The following verse remind us what God says about His Word.
In the New Tribes Mission video titled Taliabo: Delivered From Darkness, two missionary couples use the Chronological Bible Storying method to communicate the Gospel to the Taliabo tribe. For five months the missionaries told Bible stories chronologically from creation to the resurrection of Jesus. After receiving God’s forgiveness of sins through Christ, the first noticeable change in their lives was a deep, sincere hunger and reverence for God’s Word. They wanted to experience more of God through his Word. This is true in all spiritual movements that are empowered by the Holy Spirit. A reverence and hunger for God’s Word can be seen is many accounts in the New Testament. Here are a few examples:
Be careful of present day movements, which do not express a reverence and respect for God’s Word. We would do well to remember the words of John, “believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.” 1 John 4:1-3
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Darrell L. HornArchives
January 2016
Categories
All
|