Part 1 of 4: How do I know that I have the spirit?

The word spirit within the bible can be defined 3 and occasionally 4 different ways, so we must be specific about what form or meaning we’re referring to.

The majority of us have grown up with the understanding of the spirit within us or spirit we hope to encounter is some astronomical entity or dramatized feeling of overwhelming whatever thing happening within our body to verify to us that God is with us or in us, or even speaking in tongues. That is not the case.

Part 1 of 4: How do I know that I have the spirit? Okay let’s read this.

KJV Romans 8:1
1. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

((Okay, when we’re walking after the flesh, we are subject to being condemned, because we are not walking after the spirit. So let’s look at what we are doing, when or if we find ourselves walking after the flesh. Let’s continue.))

Galatians 5:19-21
19. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20. Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21. Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

((I’m going to define some of these works of the flesh that we rarely think of, or talk about:))

uncleanness – is anything God deems unclean and that make us unclean.

Lasciviousness – is lewd, lustful, given to or expressing lust

variance- an activity that varies from a norm or standard. Discord that splits a group. The Lord speaks about sowing discord among brethren. It’s not suppose to be. People manipulating situations, creating division amongst brothers and sisters, (Ref. Proverbs 6: 16, 19)

seditions- an action inciting resistance to lawful authority and tending to cause the disruption or overthrow of the government, particularly God’s law and government for mankind. These individuals teach against God’s law and encourage others not to abide by it.

emulations- effort to equal or surpass another, ambition to equal or excel. I say there is nothing wrong with excelling in truth and being all you can be for the Father in Christ, but to be competing with your fellow brothers and sisters is not good but evil, because you doing things or extras for the wrong reasons. There’s nothing wrong with vibing off certain bros. and sistas, using certain tactics and approaches we see them using in approaching God. I do it. Whatever I can do to make myself a better servant, even get more connected to the Father, I do it, whether the Lord show me through my brothers and sisters, or directly to me, so be it. The question is, “Are we doing it to be better than we are, to be more of a servant of God to take care of his business or are we doing it to compete with our fellow brothers and sisters?” Wherever I can get encouragement, I’m for it. It don’t matter to me, whether it’s from the Prophets(Old Testament), Apostles(New Testament), or my present day fellow brothers and sisters. We have to keep an open mind(eyes and ears open). Sometimes strangers, even people who don’t serve God the Father in Christ got something to say, even wisdom sometimes, yet they might not be using it to glorify God, yet it makes sense. I’ll cipher through it and get what’s legit and use it or flip it to enhance myself, even glorify the Father. As far as competing, we have games and sports we compete in, that’s cool, but to compete within God’s business amongst our fellow brothers and sisters for favoritism, popularity, etc. is evil. People who do this are either looking to be glorified by men, or are doing it to feel adequate. If we’re doing God’s will without extra’s we’re adequate. We must do things out of necessity. We must do what he say, and when extra is needed, we should step up to the plate and handle it if we can. That’s all he ask. Here’s an example: There’s two individuals waiting for God’s command. God’s says “I want you two to jump over this puddle of water. Okay the first jumps over the puddle of water, and stands there waiting for God’s next command. Okay the second jumps over the puddle of water, and jumps back to his starting point and jumps back over the puddle of water the second time, and then stands beside his fellow brother or sister. I ask you, which one did exactly what God said, the first or second? The first one; he not only did exactly what God said, he also walked before God with a perfect heart(mind), he didn’t deviate to the right or left, straight and narrow. On the other hand, the second servant did more, but did he obey God? No. He thought God would be pleased more if God saw him do it twice. I repeat, “He thought.” This is our problem, we start thinking on our own when we’ve been giving specific instructions on how to do something from God. We have to quit thinking and just do what he say. There’s nothing wrong with desiring to promote God’s word, coming up with ideas on how to Glorify God the Father, and pursuing them, but when he says, “John or Susan my beloved, I want you to do this or do that,” this is when all our ideas, and thoughts of creativity should be set aside, because now he’s gonna give us specific instructions on what he want us to do. The majority of the work has been cut out, his way(plan) is sufficient, remember he don’t make any mistakes, he knows whats best, yet we find ourselves in our mind saying, “God’s plan is not enough, I can make it better.” I ask you, “How can you make a perfect plan better, when there’s no room for additives?” Food for thought: read this on your own time, (1 Samuel 15: 1-26, 16: 13-15, 1 Chronicles 10: 13). If God wanted them two to jump over once, then jump back over, then over again, he would have said that, but he didn’t. We all have skills, some the same, some different, some less, some more. We shouldn’t feel less of a servant if we can’t do this or do that, we should do what God’s says, and that’s it. If we can do more when the time comes, out of necessity, do it if you can. If you can’t, you just can’t. God loves you the same, as long as you do what he says.

Heresies- an opinion, doctrine, or practice contrary to the truth, denial of a revealed truth. There’s a lot of this. Many of us have grown up believing theories, he say, she say, trying to defend something that’s not true, and can’t even be backed up by scriptures. Many churches are built up on heresy. You know, quotes likes this, “This is what my church believe. Well, this is what we believe.” Well, I say, “ What does God say we should believe, let’s read what he say we should believe, his church isn’t separated. We can disperse all of this wonder and turf defending/church denomination, let’s open up this bible, and read. If we’re all Christians, trying to get to the same place(the Kingdom of the Father), we should be of the same mind, on one accord, living and teaching the same way.”

Revelling – unrestrained merrymaking, key word(unrestrained-no limits to what you’ll do and how long you’ll do it). There’s nothing wrong with merrymaking(having a nice time-clean fun), but unrestrained merrymaking is somethng else. Continuation of revellings: celebrate noisily, often indulging in drinking; engage in uproarious festivities. Related words: binge, any act of immoderate indulgence, an occasion for excessive eating or drinking, orgy – a wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity, promiscuity -indulging in promiscuous (casual and indiscriminate) sexual relations.

((Okay, these are the works of the flesh. Let’s read this scripture again before continuing.))

KJV Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

((So…we shouldn’t be worried about being condemned if we’re not walking after the flesh, but after the spirit. So…how do we walk after the spirit? Let’s continue.))

KJV Romans 8:8-9
8. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

(((So…we can’t and are not pleasing God by committing these fleshly acts such as: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings. We surely will be condemned to the lake of fire, if we don’t get these acts under control.)))

9. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

((Us Christians should not be in the flesh, but in the spirit. We find ourselves sometimes fighting it, yet we shouldn’t find ourselves indulging in it and captivated by it daily. This is serious. This spirit must dwell in us, for us to belong to him, and this spirit is the spirit of Christ. Let’s find out what this spirit is. Is it a second being or inner spiritual being or ghost dwelling in us making us live right? What is it? Let’s continue….))

KJV John 6:63
63. It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

(((The words of Jesus are called spirit, and they are life, even everlasting life. If his spirit(word) dwell in us, it quickeneth us. Some might wonder what does quickeneth mean. Let’s continue.)))

KJV John 5:21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

(((The word of God lets us know that quickeneth means make alive. Bring back to life, from the dead(whether it’s physically dead- the dead that are in the graves or spiritually dead- those who are living and are not serving Christ, because his word(spirit) isn’t dwelling in them. Once a spiritually dead person start to accept the word of God, believe it, and live it, it makes(quicken) them alive spiritually, a new creature, a new way of thinking, a new man or woman, and no longer the old man or woman. ref. Ephesians 4: 23-25)))

KJV Romans 8:10-11
10. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

(((Questions: What spirit was it that was in Jesus that raised him up from the dead. It was the word of the Father, or you could say the spirit of the Father was in Jesus when he died. If that same word(spirit) dwells in us at Jesus 2nd return or if we die living in truth, according to the spirit(word), he’ll raise us up as well unto eternal life. What spirit must we walk after or live by to be considered a son or daughter of Christ? The spirit(word) of Christ, which he received from the Father. Let’s continue..))

John 14:24
24. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.

KJV Ephesians 6:13, 17
13. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
17. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Note: This is part of our armour sisters and brothers. We can’t afford to be caught without it. We can get wounded on the battle field without it. Our sword is the Spirit, which is the word of God.

KJV John 5:24
24. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

KJV John 6:65-68
65. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.

((The Father at some point of time will draw us unto his son(Jesus). After we’re drawn, what are we going to do? Basically, after we’ve start to understand the truth, what are we gonna do?))

66. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

((Will you walk away as well?))

67. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
68. Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

((There’s no other way, but by Jesus the Christ. He has the words of eternal life.))

Note: Remember this, don’t let this be you.

Proverbs 1:27-33
27. When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
28. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
29. For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
30. They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
31. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
32. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
33. But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

***** “Let’s look further into this topic, “Works of the flesh” *****

((Whoever, is practicing these things without restraint shall not inherit the kingdom of God, whether you call yourself a Christian or not. Some of these things we find ourselves fighting against, striving not to pursue, the Lord understands that, he gives us room to repent, but we shouldn’t ever think “I’ve been baptized, I’m saved, and I don’t have to worry about nothing, I’ll just repent If I slipped up.” Many people calling themselves Christians and are out here sinning willfully without restraint, and think to come before the Lord with that foolishness, if this is the case, he ain’t hearing nothing coming out your mouth. First of all, it’s written:

Isaiah 1:15-17
15. And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.
16. Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
17. Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

John 9:31
31. Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

((Second of all, you are not saved, because the first resurrection hasn’t arrived for you to find out if you are chosen, neither judgement day. It’s written:

Mark 13: 13
13. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

((The end is not here yet, so where does that leave us? Not saved. Where else does that leave us; fighting , striving, enduring, fighting this sinful nature we’ve been born into, temptations, provoking, verbal persecutions, even physical persecutions lies ahead for some the closer we get to the end. What are you gonna do? “Endure to be saved at the end or let go, buckwilding out, being deceived, and deceiving yourself(repping and calling yourself a Christian, when you know you aren’t living like a Christian(Christ-like). Some might say, “I got myself under control, what yall fighting for, the battle is the Lords, what yall stressing for, leave it in God-hands.” It’s written, check out what Jesus mentioned about one of the apostles.

Luke 22:31-34
31. And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

((Okay, the Lord(Jesus) knew Satan desired to try Peter. Is Jesus going to stop Satan from tempting him, and roughing him up? Is Jesus gone peel Satan up off Peter? Let’s continue.

32. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

((Naw….Jesus wasn’t going to peel Satan up off him, he pray for his brother Peter, that his faith(belief) fail not. He prayed in hopes that Peter don’t give in to Satan, and turn from righteousness and truth. He warned Peter that Satan is coming for him. He didn’t save him from Satan. I’m not saying the Lord, want ever help us, or give us strength, but he’s plainly saying, “You’re gonna have to fight evil persuasion , deception, temptation, provoking, and I am not gonna swoop you up while you just lay back and do nothing.” Fellow brothers and sisters, the Lord steps in to help and strengthen us when we have done all we understand and know how to do, after that, we wait patiently, then he come forth unto us. How long do we have to wait? However long it takes, that’s if you want perfect instructions and/or deliverance. Check out what Peter said to Jesus after Jesus warned him about Satan.))

33. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.

((Yeah.., right. What great ambition it is that’s coming out of his mouth. We’ll see. Let’s continue.))

34. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou know est me.

((Jesus said, before the cock crow thrice(three) time, you’re going to deny me three times. On your own time read the rest of the story about Peter(ref. Luke 22: 47-62)

Recap: The beginning of our walk is to know and understand what is it to walk after the flesh, and refrain from it, but accept the spirit of God and walk after it. This is the foundation of Eternal life: His spirit(his word). The majority of us have grown up believing and thinking we’re on the right track, but it’s not been the case. Just about 75 to 95 percent of the stuff we’ve believed was right and holy is not holy, once we start to compare and line up what we’ve been taught or given with the bible. It’s not lining up. So, therefore the majority of us have to start from ground zero, and that’s okay, although it hurts. It is what it is, face it, deal with, you’re not alone. I had to do it. Join us here at the church I attend, “www.theisraelofgod.com” for support. The majority of us have been through it, and are concurring this flesh, and enduring. The spirit(his words) awaits you.

(I wanted to expound on this scripture(John 9:31) more: Okay, let’s roll.))

John 9:31
31. Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

I forgot to mention that, we all are sinners, whether we call ourselves servants of God/Christians. What separate us from non-worshippers of the Father in Christ is that we aren’t supposed to be willful sinners. This is our separation, not being willful sinners. He has an ear for those who aren’t willful sinners. It’s written.

Leviticus 4:27-31
27. And if any one of the common people sin through ignorance, while he doeth somewhat against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which ought not to be done, and be guilty;

Note: Sin can’t exist without the commandments. So…if the commandments are done away with, as many suppose, then there are no sinners, and if that’s the case, why is there a need for repenting? We sometimes find ourselves sinning out of ignorance.

28. Or if his sin, which he hath sinned, come to his knowledge: then he shall bring his offering, a kid of the goats, a female without blemish, for his sin which he hath sinned.

((Even with us, we find ourselves sinning or have sinned without knowing of it, yet when we find out, we go before the Father in prayer through Jesus, and not offering a animal to be sacrifice. All of those sacrifice ordinances is the past since Jesus came, died, and rose for our sins.))

29. And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the sin offering, and slay the sin offering in the place of the burnt offering.
30. And the priest shall take of the blood thereof with his finger, and put it upon the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and shall pour out all the blood thereof at the bottom of the altar.
31. And he shall take away all the fat thereof, as the fat is taken away from off the sacrifice of peace offerings; and the priest shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savour unto the LORD; and the priest shall make an atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him.

((This way and practice of sacrificing was of the Leviticus Priesthood, which was done away with, until Jesus make his second coming. This had to be done to be forgiven, not now as a said before, we go unto the Father through Christ in secret, and not before any man claiming to be an intercessor(or any man behind a veil asking for any forgiveness). We have one intercessor between God the Father and mankind, and that individual is Jesus the Christ. It’s written:

Hebrews 7:22-27
22. By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
23. And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:

((Them priest of the Leviticus priesthood couldn’t continue being priest because they got old and/or died because of health reasons. How was Jesus made of a better testament? Let’s continue.))

24. But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.

((Who’s able to continue being a priest for ever, having an unchangeable priesthood, but a spirit? Jesus is our priest now, he’s not a flesh being man like them priest of the Leviticus priesthood, he’s an immortal spiritual being, that can’t die. Let’s continue.))

25. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

((He’s able to save, not a flesh being man. Again, he ever liveth to make intercession for any nationality that seek and live by his truth. Intercession define- the act of interceding, prayer, petition, or entreaty in favor of another, mediation in a dispute.))

26. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

((This is Jesus the high priest: who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.(ref. 1 Timothy 6: 13-16, 2 Corinthians 12: 2-4, Jesus was caught up unto paradise).

27. Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

((He’s not like this Levitical Priesthood, offering sacrifices daily, he did one sacrifice, he offered up himself one time and that’s it. ref. Hebrews chapter 10.))