“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
Some people are led to believe it is almost heretical to believe in what the Word of God says that the Holy Spirit indeed is our teacher. I like how John emphasizes, “but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie…”
When someone scoffs at the thought of you believing in what is clearly written in the Word of God, let that person be the liar.
“By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.”
Romans 3:4
“If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
1 Peter 4:11
When someone knows what is clearly written in the Word of God, they can stand on it firmly. This is where everyone’s confidence should come from, and not by our fallible argumentation, eloquence and the finite knowledge of men. God’s Word endures beyond our lifespan and that means power. Jesus Himself showed us the power Scripture holds over the enemy and we are to take Jesus’ example.
How can one speak in authority if one does not know what’s written? This calls for discernment which the Spirit of God who dwells in you gives you a restless spirit whenever false teachings are being asserted and Scriptures are being twisted. The Holy Spirit is alive and active in you who always works to lead the person to the Truth. If you don’t experience this, it should be a great cause for concern because most likely, there are two possible scenarios, a) the Holy Spirit is probably not in you and b) you are living in disobedience which makes you dull to the Holy Spirit.
“These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.”
Titus 2:15
If a person is moved by the Holy Spirit to speak the truth and stand up for what is right, we are not to let people influence our decision to go against God’s Word and rationalize things. Doing so will cause us to compromise God’s Word for the sake of political correctness and relationships. A bad example of this is someone who shrinks back on their stance just to please people and doing so shows God He is not the priority, the one whom people cannot see, but actually sees and knows all things.
“Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.“
James 1:8 (NLT)
When we do things for God, we must make sure we are not like the Pharisees who are doing it for the sake of people’s approval. If Jesus was turned off by their duality and duplicity, you can be sure this kind of showmanship will and always be detestable to God.
At the end, what really matters is that we are lead not by our teachers or theologians but by the Holy Spirit who directs us into all truth through the holy scripture. The duties of teachers are to push us to do our own study. Just like I do to people on WordPress. Don’t ever take in what I teach without first comparing it to scripture because as a human we all make mistakes.
Our true teacher is the Holy Spirit and if anyone tells you otherwise, you know full well that did not come from God.
John 14:26
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit–the Father will send Him in My name–will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.
Excellent post.
Amen. I am not advocating to discredit and disregard teachers but we must still line up their teachings to the Word of God, to “test all things” as advised in 1 Thessalonians 5:21.
Thanks.