Originally posted by @thinkofone“And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,
If you knew the Bible as well as you claim, you would know that Jesus Christ Himself said that the "spirit of truth" is contingent upon KEEPing His commandments:
John 14
15“If you love me, keep my commands. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17the Spirit of truth...
This means th ...[text shortened]... actually KEEP His commandments, i.e., no longer commit sin, will receive the "spirit of truth".
And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.
For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.
And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?
And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.
But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.
And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.
While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?
As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.”
(Mark 5:25-36)
Originally posted by @romans1009Everyone that seeth the Son ... can have everlasting life
“For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.“
(John 6:38-40)
Have you SEEN Jesus?
Originally posted by @rajk999Jesus was addressing the Jews and saying it was not enough just to see Him - one must also believe in Him for eternal life.
[b]Everyone that seeth the Son ... can have everlasting life
Have you SEEN Jesus?[/b]
The other school of thought on that verse is the Greek word translated as “seeth” more properly means to contemplate.
Whichever is correct, the point is believing is what gives eternal life.
Originally posted by @romans1009And the devils believe too.
Jesus was addressing the Jews and saying it was not enough just to see Him - one must also believe in Him for eternal life.
The other school of thought on that verse is the Greek word translated as “seeth” more properly means to contemplate.
Whichever is correct, the point is believing is what gives eternal life.
Can they have eternal life as well?
No. So there must be more to the word believe.
Originally posted by @romans1009Do you think that "God’s Holy Spirit" sometimes allows you to incorrectly 'discern what God is teaching'?
In addition to that, God’s Holy Spirit helps one discern what God is teaching throughout the Bible.
Originally posted by @fmfNo, if I error, the error’s on me. The influence of the Spirit is tied, imo, to how much the Spirit is fed by God’s Word and prayer.
Do you think that "God’s Holy Spirit" sometimes allows you to incorrectly 'discern what God is teaching'?
That is why Paul speaks in Galatians of a struggle between the Spirit and the flesh. Just because one has the Spirit doesn’t mean the Spirit’s influence is as strong as it could be, due to the desires of the flesh and man’s free will
Originally posted by @romans1009So you claim that "God’s Holy Spirit" is guiding you but you believe "God’s Holy Spirit" sometimes allows you to makes errors about the Bible's meaning, is that what you are saying?
No, if I error, the error’s on me. The influence of the Spirit is tied, imo, to how much the Spirit is fed by God’s Word and prayer.
Originally posted by @fmfNo, that’s not what I’m saying. I’m saying the influence of God’s Holy Spirit on us - our thoughts, behavior, speech, etc. - is tied to how much we are in God’s Word and praying.
So you claim that "God’s Holy Spirit" is guiding you but you believe "God’s Holy Spirit" sometimes allows you to makes errors about the Bible's meaning, is that what you are saying?
That’s why I referenced Paul’s comments in Galatians about the struggle between the Spirit and the flesh and why I think for the Spirit’s influence on us to be strong, we have to be regularly reading the Bible and praying, specifically to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh.
If a Christian hasn’t read the Bible or prayed for quite a while, I wouldn’t expect the Spirit’s influence in his or her life to be anywhere near as great as a Christian who regularly was reading the Bible and praying. Hence, the former could easily make an error about the Bible’s meaning because he is relying on his carnal mind and not the discernment that comes from God’s Holy Spirit.
Originally posted by @romans1009So when you make errors about the meaning of the Bible it is because you are not "in God’s Word and praying" enough ~ is that your belief?
No, that’s not what I’m saying. I’m saying the influence of God’s Holy Spirit on us - our thoughts, behavior, speech, etc. - is tied to how much we are in God’s Word and praying.
Originally posted by @romans1009Can you give an example of a Bible passage that you think "God’s Holy Spirit" has guided you to discern the meaning of correctly and another Bible passage where you are not sure if "God’s Holy Spirit" has guided you or not?
In addition to that, God’s Holy Spirit helps one discern what God is teaching throughout the Bible. The Bible is much more than just black text on a page.
Originally posted by @fmfIt’s because the Spirit’s influence on my life is not as strong as it should be, and I believe the Spirit’s influence is strengthened by reading the Bible and praying, though I certainly wouldn’t rule out other activities, such as fellowship with other Christians, worship through singing of hymns and praise songs, etc.
So when you make errors about the meaning of the Bible it is because you are not "in God’s Word and praying" enough ~ is that your belief?
I think (but obviously could be wrong) that service to others is more of a manifestation of the Spirit’s influence than a means by which it is strengthened.
Originally posted by @romans1009Can you give an example of when "the Spirit’s influence on [your] life is not as strong as it should be" from here in this community and specifically your interpretation of scripture?
It’s because the Spirit’s influence on my life is not as strong as it should be, and I believe the Spirit’s influence is strengthened by reading the Bible and praying, though I certainly wouldn’t rule out other activities, such as fellowship with other Christians, worship through singing of hymns and praise songs, etc.
Originally posted by @fmfNot without some thought as I’m not really consciously aware of the degree to which the Spirit influences my interpretation of Scripture from one given period of time to another. I’m much more aware of the Spirit’s influence on bringing verses to my memory.
Can you give an example of a Bible passage that you think "God’s Holy Spirit" has guided you to discern the meaning of correctly and another Bible passage where you are not sure if "God’s Holy Spirit" has guided you or not?
Originally posted by @fmfSure, I tend to succumb to payback too easily and maybe beat a dead horse when it comes to that.
Can you give an example of when "the Spirit’s influence on [your] life is not as strong as it should be" from here in this community and specifically your interpretation of scripture?