- The baptism or ‘crisis’ of the Spirit is a transformative experience, often accompanied by signs and wonders. However, it is not just a moment of joy and comfort, but also a moment of challenge and growth. The experience of receiving the Holy Spirit requires us to adjust ourselves, both intellectually and rationally, to the new spiritual dimension that is revealed to us. This can be a difficult process, requiring us to confront our own limitations and biases. But as we engage in this process, we begin to experience new levels of spiritual insight and understanding that were previously inaccessible to us. And with this new understanding comes new levels of responsibility and commitment. We are called to engage in spiritual warfare, to fight against the forces that would seek to distract and derail us from our spiritual journey. But as we persevere, we find that our faith grows stronger, our relationship with God deepens, and our ability to serve others in love and compassion expands. So let us embrace the baptism of the Spirit, with all its challenges and opportunities, and let us press on towards the fullness of God's plan for our lives.
- Evidently, the Welsh revival of the early 20th century was not without its problems. Despite its spiritual fervour and the many people who were converted, there were also some doctrinal issues that needed to be addressed. Some people likened these issues to "spiritual viruses," as they had the potential to infect and spread throughout the community. For example, some individuals were promoting beliefs that were not in line with traditional Christian teachings, while others were engaging in practices that were seen as extreme or even dangerous. In order to truly reap the benefits of the Welsh revival, it was important to identify and correct these issues, lest they continue to spread and cause harm to the community.
- One common misconception is that once a person is filled with the Spirit, they lose all ability to make choices and become completely passive. However, this idea is actually incorrect and can even be dangerous if it leads to a person becoming overly focused on heavenly matters to the exclusion of the practical realities of life. In fact, being filled with the Spirit should enable a person to have greater clarity and wisdom in making decisions, and to be more effective in their actions. It is important to keep a balanced perspective and not let the desire for spiritual growth lead to neglect of other important aspects of life.
- When a man accepts Christ, he does not suddenly gain complete knowledge of God, himself, or the devil. However, as he grows in his faith, he begins to gain deeper understanding of each of these areas. Through studying the Bible, prayer, and fellowship with other believers, he can continually learn more about God's character and ways, as well as his own strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, he can gain insight into the tactics and strategies of the devil, and how to resist his attacks. Therefore, while full knowledge may not be immediately obtained upon conversion, there is always room for growth and learning in a life surrendered to Christ.
- In the book of Ephesians chapter 6, the apostle Paul speaks about the darkness that surrounds the human mind. He explains that the mind is naturally veiled by Satan's schemes, which creates a type of fog that can be difficult to see through. This fog of war can make it difficult for us to properly discern truth from lies, and can lead us down a path of confusion and sin. However, through faith in Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, we can break through this fog and see the world with clarity and truth. By aligning ourselves with God's will and seeking His guidance, we can overcome the darkness and live a life that is pleasing to Him.
- Deception is a concept that is closely related to the mind. It refers to accepting a wrong thought as truth, often due to ignorance. It is important to note that deception is not necessarily a reflection of one's moral character. Even a faithful believer may fall prey to deception in areas where they lack knowledge of the devil's tactics and capabilities. It is worth noting that ignorance and unbelief can also contribute to deception. In the case of Saul, his lack of knowledge and belief caused him to destroy and persecute those who followed Jesus. In order to guard against deception, it is important to continually seek knowledge and understanding. By expanding our understanding of the world around us, we can better recognise and reject false ideas that may lead us astray. Additionally, it is important to remain open to feedback and criticism from others, as this can help us identify blind spots in our thinking and avoid falling prey to deception.
- Christ warned his disciples of the danger of deception, so it is important to remain vigilant and open to the truth. The knowledge that one can be deceived is an essential condition for receiving and recognising the light from God. It's crucial to avoid deception by staying open-minded and seeking God's guidance. Throughout history, individuals like Adam and Eve, King David, and even Judas Iscariot fell prey to deception. Deception can come in many forms, including false teachings, misleading information, and personal biases. We must be aware of these sources and evaluate information to ensure it aligns with God's word. James 4:7 reminds us to submit to God and resist the devil. We must stay focused on God and reject anything that leads us away from Him. Staying grounded in His truth and seeking His guidance will help us remain rooted in our faith and avoid deception.
Selected Quotes from Chapter 3 :
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<img src="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/eb484893-c762-4ca4-98f5-75b3adeb429b/IMAGE_2022-12-06_185208.jpg" alt="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/eb484893-c762-4ca4-98f5-75b3adeb429b/IMAGE_2022-12-06_185208.jpg" width="40px" /> “For among those who are members of the Body of Christ, there are degrees of growth, and therefore degrees of testing, permitted by God who provides a way of escape for him who know his need, and by watching unto prayer, takes heed lest he fall (1 Cor 10:12,13).”
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<img src="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/8c1d5b99-fb23-4dd4-a6b1-6a7c9cc33ab6/IMAGE_2022-12-06_185208.jpg" alt="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/8c1d5b99-fb23-4dd4-a6b1-6a7c9cc33ab6/IMAGE_2022-12-06_185208.jpg" width="40px" /> “One prevailing idea, which believers have deeply embedded in their minds, is that ‘honest seekers after God’ will not be allowed to be deceived… The errors among groups of such believers, some well known to the present generation, all began among ‘honest’ children of God, baptized with the Holy Ghost; and all so sure that, knowing the side-tracking of others before them, they would never be caught by the wiles of Satan.”
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<img src="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/1b52bed8-531c-4a69-ba42-39243d2fbe84/IMAGE_2022-12-06_185208.jpg" alt="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/1b52bed8-531c-4a69-ba42-39243d2fbe84/IMAGE_2022-12-06_185208.jpg" width="40px" /> “The aftermath of the Revival in Wales, which was a true work of God, revealed number of ‘honest souls’ swept off their feet by evil supernatural powers, which they were not able to discern from the true working of God. And later still than the Welsh Revival, there have been other ‘movements’, with large numbers of earnest servants of God swept into deception, through the wiles of deceiving spirits counterfeiting the workings of God; all ‘honest souls’ deceived by the subtle foe, and certain to be led on into still deeper deception, notwithstanding their honesty and earnestness, if they are not awakened to ‘return to soberness’ and recovery out of the snare of the devil into which they have fallen (2 Tim 2:26)”
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