…and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?” Luke 8:23-25
Right away I see two fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) being on display here. First the fruit of Peace, that Jesus had as He slept. And secondly the Fruit of Faith, which He questioned His disciples not having. All the fruit of the Spirit are worth studying deeply. Getting to know them as the Holy Spirit is working on growing them within you — IF you’ve given Him permission to do so.
The fruit of the Spirit will be crucial as the storm increases around us. And yes, I believe the storm is increasing in so many ways. There seems to be a confirmation of greater and greater displays of this scripture everyday being announced on almost every social media platform by individuals.
…they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Thessalonians 2:10b-12
The Truth is no longer accepted as truth. Everyone has their “own” truth now, just as Lucifer has his own “truth”. So how does one actually “KNOW” the Truth now? How does one rightly discern the Truth in the midst of this storm?
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6
If you try to have any other ‘truth’ than the above statement, you will be led ultimately into delusion. The problem I see is the mental ascent of this statement without the soul and spirit being involved. That is basically … religion. A series of rules and regulations that require absolute striving to achieve perfection that is impossible. Nicodemus had real difficulty wrapping his head around the words of Jesus. (John 3) Because the words are … spirit. Born of the Spirit. Only BY the Spirit will one understand it.
We will not be able to truly and fully embrace the Truth without the Holy Spirit. As the storm increases I won’t be able to know what to do unless the Spirit directs me, as the intensity of the storm will overwhelm every physical part of me. Our ‘will’ I believe sits within the spirit portion of our creation, and our choices are made within that will. IF we are indwelled by the Holy Spirit BECAUSE we asked Jesus to baptize / immerse us fully with Him — then the Holy Spirit can inform our minds what choice is the one He knows is best for us in each situation. This is Spirit on spirit direction and instruction. Now the enemy also has this ability to instruct his possessed and oppressed by feeding their minds with his wishes and what they should do. It is exactly the counterfeit of what God intended for all of us.
I believe the storm will become so intense — that Spirit by spirit instruction will become a matter of life and death. Now if you are in Christ you should have no fear of death. But here’s my desire …and that is to finish everything He has in His plan for me, and nothing short of that. Paul stated it this way.
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 1 Cor 9:24
But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 1 Cor 9:27
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Tim 4:7
Discipline by the Spirit. Able to HEAR Him …and obey quickly. Knowing what it is He wants me to do. And carrying it out …THROUGH His strength BY the Holy Spirit.