9. Does the Holy Spirit Bear Witness That It Is True?
“As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him” (1 John 2:27).
The Holy Spirit within the believer always confirms true revelation from the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is “the Spirit of Truth” (John 16:13). He bears witness to that which is true, but He rejects that which is false. This ninth test is the most subjective test of all the tests we’ve presented here. For that reason, it must be used in conjunction with the previous eight objective standards.
God’s Word tells us that we must prove all things and hold fast to that which is good (1 Thess. 5:21). At all times we must seek the Lord’s wisdom, while refusing to use “wisdom” as an excuse for fear. We must be careful not to become offended at the genuine things that the Holy Spirit is doing, no matter how strange they may appear to us. Divine revelation and visionary experiences come in many different forms, and it is vital that we understand how to discern the true from the false.
Now, I know that some of you are waiting for me to dish out “some of the deeper things” to you by this point. But from my perspective, I would be remiss not to make sure these foundational truths are laid well before taking us further on our “mystical journey.”
So study to show yourself approved a workman unto the Lord! Let us learn to test the spirits to see whether they be from God. I want you to step out on the tight rope of faith, but I also want to supply you with a safety net of the wisdom ways of God underneath to help catch you in your journey.
This is an excerpt from chapter 15 of the book Shifting Shadows of Supernatural Experiences, co-authored by James Goll and Julia Loren. Click the link to purchase the entire book in hard copy or as a downloadable e-Book from the Elijah List.
Dr. James W. Goll is the president of Encounters Network, director of Prayer Storm, and coordinates Encounters Alliance, a coalition of leaders. He is director of God Encounters Training, an e-school of the heart, and is a member of the Harvest International Ministries apostolic team. He has shared Jesus in more than 50 nations worldwide, teaching and imparting the power of intercession, prophetic ministry, and life in the Spirit. James is the prolific author of numerous books and has also produced multiple study guides and hundreds of audio and video messages. James was married to Michal Ann for 32 years before her graduation to Heaven in the fall of 2008. James has four adult children who all love Jesus, and continues to make his home in Franklin, Tennessee.
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