“He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost” (Acts 19:2).

Here is a clear example of ignorance about the Holy Spirit.  There is so much confusion in the religious world today about the Holy Spirit that there are times when such must be addressed.  Calvinistic teaching has led people to believe things about the Holy Spirit that do not harmonize with the teaching of the Bible.  Consider three areas concerning what the Holy Spirit does not do.

1. The Holy Spirit Does Not Contradict the Teaching of the Bible. There is no doubt that the Holy Spirit brought divine revelation into existence.  Peter wrote, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:20-21).  Paul wrote to Timothy, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).  Paul wrote previously to the church at Corinth, “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (1 Cor. 2:13).  Since the Holy Spirit is “the Spirit of truth” (John 14:17) and the word of God is truth (cf. John 17:17), then it follows that the Holy Spirit cannot contradict the word of God.  Therefore, any doctrine or interpretation that clearly contradicts the Bible cannot be from the Holy Spirit.  Those who claim to be directly guided by the Holy Spirit today will find themselves in a self-contradictory position when their teaching is compared to what the Holy Spirit actually does say through the Scriptures.
2. The Holy Spirit Does Not Comfort Apart from the Scriptures. It is a common teaching among some that the Holy Spirit will bring comfort to people separate and apart from the Bible if one will let the Spirit come into their heart.  This is termed as a direct working of the Holy Spirit on the heart.  Passages like John 14:16, 26; 15:26 and 16:7 are abused to press the direct leading argument.  The context of those passages deals with the work of the apostles after Jesus had ascended into heaven.  The Holy Spirit would be the agent through the apostles to defend and bear testimony of the truth.  Paul wrote of comfort to the Thessalonians who were troubled about their dead.  At the close of the section he stated, “Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thess. 4:18).  Read also Psalm 119:50 to find a parallel thought.  It is the Holy Spirit’s words that comfort.
3. The Holy Spirit Does Not Continue to Perform Miracles Today Now That the Bible is Complete. Paul wrote, “For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away” (1 Cor. 13:9-10).  The Holy Spirit by miraculous power both revealed and confirmed the inspired words that were given in the days of revelation (cf. Mark 16:20; Heb. 2:3-4).  Once revelation was completed, then miraculous powers ceased (cf. 1 Cor. 13:10; Eph. 4:11-13).  “Modern day miracle” claims deceive ignorant people and produce confusion.

Jimmy Clark

“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened” (Rom. 1:21).

The Holy Spirit through Paul is declaring the facts about a world that rejects the true and living God.  Rome was a haven for paganism and political power.  It was also a microcosm for the rest of the Roman dominated world.  If one were not a Jew or Christian who believed in one God (cf. Deut. 6:4; Eph. 4:6; James 2:19), then paganism in some form was the dominate worldview.  There are consequences that come with choices and rejecting God has its consequences.  Consider three points made about a world that knew about God but did not choose God.

1. They Pronounce Themselves Wise Anyway. The Bible clearly states that they “became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened” (Rom. 1:21).  In spite of all their lack of wisdom in rejecting God the Bible still states, “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools” (Rom. 1:22).  Choosing not “to retain God in their knowledge” (Rom. 1:28) brought on a foolishness that they were not willing to accept.  Therefore, they would keep telling themselves and others like them that they were the wise ones of their day.  Pagan Egypt in the days of Moses had its education (cf. Acts 7:22) with its wise men (cf. Ex. 7:11) but such did not yield to the truth of the living God.  Babylon had its wise men (cf. Daniel 2:27) but such did not turn the nation unto the truth of the living God.  “Freethinkers” and those who believe that one is truly free and intelligent when unshackled from the trappings of religions abound in many corners of the world.  All, like Timothy, would be wise to continue in the Bible that truly makes one wise (cf. 2 Tim. 3:15).
2. They Produce Their Own Object of Worship and Service. Paul wrote further, “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen” (Rom. 1:25).  Humans realize that there is some power greater than themselves (cf. Eccl. 3:11).  Whether that object become a tangible object like a man-made idol (cf. Rom. 1:23) or an ideology that is just as powerful as a tangible object (cf. 1 Sam. 15:23; Col. 3:5), adoration and service are turned unto some direction.  Rebellion often seeks to find an imaginary “god” to channel its affections and hopes.
3. They Pervert the True Morals of Life. The Holy Spirit disclosed the real reprobate mind (cf. Rom. 1:28) of a rejection of God in the characteristics of that thinking that magnifies fleshly gratification and fleshly lifestyles.  Their uncleanness of life was seen where they “dishonour their own bodies between themselves” (Rom. 1:24) with “vile affections” (Rom. 1:26-27) which today would be classed in the LGBTQ communities.  Beyond the sexual perversion would come “being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, implacable, unmerciful” (Rom. 1:29-30).  Is there any wonder today that the people who currently reject God turn to the same thinking and lifestyles that were present in the first century?  May all clearly see that a people who reject God do so to their own peril (cf. Ps. 9:17).

Jimmy Clark

“For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed” (James 1:23-25).

Mirrors are a commonplace item.  Shops even have mirrors so that the customer can see himself or herself when trying on the product.  James describes the Bible as a mirror for man to see himself.  It is written in another place, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged 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).  Consider three spiritual concepts of looking at the Bible like one is looking in the mirror.

1. Capacity of Time While Looking in the Mirror. How much time does the average person look into a mirror on a daily basis?  That probably varies from survey to survey.  How much time does the average person read the Bible to truly see himself as God sees?  That is a much more important question.  The Holy Spirit through James uses words like “beholding” (James 1:23), “beholdeth” (James 1:24) and “looketh” (James 1:25).  These words denote more than just a casual glance.  The word in verse 23 is in the tense that means to continually look as in a long look in the mirror.  The longer one looks into the pages of the Bible the more likely one is exposed to the truths God wants man to know about himself.  Some may not look long due to the fact that they are seeing things they may not like (cf. John 3:20).  Regardless of what the Bible may reveal to a person, looking within from the reflection of the Bible over time is a good thing.
2. Consideration When Looking in the Mirror. The references to looking as in a mirror entail some interesting thoughts from the original words.  The word translated “beholding” (James 1:23) and “beholdeth” (James 1:24) is from the word meaning “to consider attentively, fix one’s eyes or mind upon” (Thayer, p. 334).  The word translated “looketh” (James 1:25) means “to look carefully into, inspect curiously” (Thayer, p. 484).  Looking into a mirror involves the intent to see what is really there.  One may not like what he sees but the mirror does not lie.  The Bible speaks the truth (cf. Ps. 119:160).  Man who deceives his own heart by denying what the Bible says does such to his own ruin.  One who seeks to know the truth will see things like God says in the Bible (cf. Prov. 28:5).
3. Conviction After Looking in the Mirror.  Once one looks at his reflection in the mirror of the Bible, he then has a choice.  The blessed man is not forgetful of his need and is a doer of the work (cf. James 1:25).  The deceived man quickly forgets what he has learned about himself and goes his way living life on his own terms (cf. James 1:24).  Most people would quickly fix something out of place in their physical appearance when exposed to the reality in the mirror.  The convicted, contrite child of God wants to come to the light and see accurately so that life may be beautiful inside and out (cf. John 3:21).

Jimmy Clark

“Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein” (Hosea 14:9).

Here are the last words of Hosea to the people.  He appeals to their best thinking to ponder some simple truths.  One who is wise and prudent as the Bible defines it would understand and know.  Consider the three principles found in this simple passage.

1. The Practice of the Lord with Man. Hosea simply states, “the ways of the Lord are right” (Hosea 14:9).  Moses told the generation that was to enter into the promised land about “the name of the Lord” (Deut. 32:3), “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he” (Deut. 32:4).  Abraham was very familiar with the character of God when he asked in view of the judgment of God, “That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Gen. 18:25).  All wise and prudent know that God will always do the right thing when dealing with man even though man may not fully understand all the details.  Secret things belong to God (cf. Deut. 29:29).  God has, however, revealed how he judges and that is according to his righteousness found in divine revelation.  David wrote, “Righteous art thou, O Lord, and upright are thy judgments. Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful” (Ps. 119:137-138).  Again, “Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth” (Ps. 119:142).
2. The Path of the Just. The second affirmation Hosea makes is “the just shall walk in them” (Hosea 14:9).  Habakkuk will later write, “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith” (Hab. 2:4).  Paul wrote of how faith comes to the individual, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17).  Jesus said, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4).  All of these passages paint a picture that the just know that they do not live by their own thinking (cf. Jer. 10:23) but by every word that comes from God.  The walk of the just is in the revealed way of God that is pure and undefiled (cf. Prov. 30:5).
3. The Problem with the Transgressors. The last affirmation Hosea makes is “the transgressors shall fall therein” (Hosea 14:9).  The word translated “fall” literally means, “to stumble, stagger, totter” (Brown, Driver, and Briggs, p. 505).  God’s word to the transgressor only incites rebellion.  Hosea stated, “Woe unto them! for they have fled from me: destruction unto them! because they have transgressed against me: though I have redeemed them, yet they have spoken lies against me” (Hosea 7:13).  Hosea stated earlier, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children” (Hosea 4:6).  These do not respect Scripture.  They will do what they want to do in spite of what God has stated.  The wise and prudent consider well what is happening (cf. Prov. 14:15-16) and knowing the ways of the Lord walk in the light.

Jimmy Clark