This is a solemn study because, The Holy Spirit is God and can be sinned against by both the believer and the unbeliever.

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1 Study 4 The Holy Spirit. Part 2. This is a solemn study because, The Holy Spirit is God and can be sinned against by both the believer and the unbeliever. Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy (every evil, abusive, injurious speaking, or indignity against sacred things) can be forgiven men, But blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall not and cannot be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Spirit, the Holy One, will not be forgiven, either in this world and age or in the world and age to come. Matthew12: SINS AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT May he help you search your heart as you consider:- a. The sin of Blaspheming the Holy Spirit This sin is committed by unbelievers. It is often called the Unpardonable Sin, It has no forgiveness. It was committed by the enemies of Jesus when they accused him of casting out devils (demons )by the power of Satan When Jesus claimed to cast them out by the Spirit of God But it also means:- We are not prepared to believe what the Holy Spirit says: But the Pharisees, hearing it, said, This Man drives out demons only by and with the help of Beelzebub, the prince of demons. Matthew 12:24 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you before you expected it. Matthew 12:28 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking under the power and influence of the Holy Spirit of God can ever say, Jesus be cursed! And no one can say, Jesus is my Lord, except by and under the power and influence of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:3 Concerning the Lord Jesus Christ About our Brothers and Sisters. About Ourselves. Note: It is the persistent wilful rejection of the Holy Spirit s testimony concerning the Lord Jesus Christ 1

2 b. The sin of Resisting the Holy Spirit This sin is committed by believers- When rejecting Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. You stubborn and stiff-necked people, still heathen and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are always actively resisting the Holy Spirit. As your forefathers were, so you are and so you do! Acts 7:51 Sometimes people make a commitment to Christ, then turn away and refuse to let him be Lord of their lives. c. The sin of Grieving the Holy Spirit This sin is committed by believers. He is grieved by us unless He controls our lives to the glory of Jesus Christ. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by Whom you were sealed, branded as God's own, secured for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath, rage, bad temper and resentment, anger, animosity and quarreling, contention and slander, abusive or blasphemous language be banished from you, with all malice spite, ill will. And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted, compassionate, understanding, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:30-32 d. The sin of Quenching the Holy Spirit This sin is committed by Christians when known sin is allowed to go un-confessed Do not quench (suppress or subdue) the Holy Spirit; 1 Thessalonians 5:19 If we freely admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and continuously cleanse us from all unrighteousness 1 John1:9 BEHOLD, THE Lord's hand is not shortened at all, that it cannot save, nor His ear dull with deafness; that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. Isaiah 59:1-2 2

3 e. The sin of Lying to the Holy Spirit The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was deception, born in jealousy. They tried to mock God BUT A certain man named Ananias with his wife Sapphira sold a piece of property, And with his wife's knowledge and connivance he kept back and wrongfully appropriated some of the proceeds, bringing only a part and putting it at the feet of the apostles. But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart that you should lie to and attempt to deceive the Holy Spirit, and should in violation of your promise withdraw secretly and appropriate to your own use part of the price from the sale of the land? As long as it remained unsold, was it not still your own? And even after it was sold, was not the money at your disposal and under your control? Why then, is it that you have proposed and purposed in your heart to do this thing? You have not simply lied to men playing false and showing yourself utterly deceitful but to God. Upon hearing these words, Ananias fell down and died. And great dread and terror took possession of all who heard of it. And the young men arose and wrapped up the body and carried it out and buried it. Now after an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not having learned of what had happened. And Peter said to her; Tell me, did you sell the land for so much? Yes, she said, for so much. Then Peter said to her, How could you two have agreed and conspired together to try to deceive the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also. And instantly she fell down at his feet and died; and the young men entering found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. And the whole church and all others who heard of these things were appalled [great awe and strange terror and dread seized them]. Acts 5:1-11 The Holy Spirit can be sinned against because He is God Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at.for whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap. Galatians 6:7 4. THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter will not come to; but if I go away, I will send Him to you to be in close fellowship with you. And when He comes, He will convict and convince the world and bring demonstration to it about sin and about righteousness and about judgment: About sin, because they do not believe in Me; About righteousness because I go to My Father, and you will see Me no longer; About judgment, because the ruler of this world Satan is judged and condemned and sentence already is passed upon him. I have still many things to say to you, but you are not able to bear them or to take them upon you or to grasp them now. But when He, the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all the Truth. For He will not speak His own message; but He will tell whatever He hears, and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come. He will honor and glorify Me, because He will take of what is Mine and will reveal it to you. John 16:7-14 3

4 In instructing his disciples regarding the coming of the Holy Spirit, Jesus said, if I do not go away, the Comforter will not come unto you, but if I depart I will send him unto you, and when he is come he will: He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. KJV On the face of it the word Comforter, seems a strange word to use of the Holy Spirit. When we think of comfort we almost think of being wrapped in a blanket. However on the Bayeux Tapestry, there s a panel that says: William comforteth his troops He is depicted on horseback brandishing his weapon, looking every ounce the fighter and his men are taking heart from that. In John 14:16 the word Comforter is translated Paraclete. Some translations of the Bible use the word Reprove when speaking of convicting of sin. Dictionary Definition= Reprove 1. To convince. 2. To disprove; to refute. 3. To chide to the face as blameworthy; to accuse as guilty; to censure. 4. To express disapprobation of. The Bayeux Tapestry is an embroidery depicting important scenes which led up to the Norman invasion of England and the Battle at Hastings in This is not an English word, but is a direct transliteration from the Greek (παράκλητος parakletos). Its basic meaning in Greek is a strong person called in to help in time of trouble. Typically in hand to hand combat the Paraclete stood at your back and defended you from the unseen approach of an enemy. In a world conquered by ROME, the disciples would have been familiar with this term from the Gladiatorial Arena. The picture of the Comforter therefore is : One who can be relied upon to urge you forward and who will stand with you in the thick of battle. 1. Convict men of the sin of unbelief 2. Convict men that Jesus is the righteousness of God About sin, because they do not believe in Me [trust in, rely on, and adhere to Me]; John 16:9 About righteousness (uprightness of heart and right standing with God), because I go to My Father, and you will see Me no longer; John 16:10 For being ignorant of the righteousness that God ascribes [which makes one acceptable to Him in word, thought, and deed] and seeking to establish a righteousness (a means of salvation) of their own, they did not obey or submit themselves to God's righteousness. For Christ is the end of the Law [the limit at which it ceases to be, for the Law leads up to Him Who is the fulfilment of its types, and in Him the purpose which it was designed to accomplish is fulfilled. That is, the purpose of the Law is fulfilled in Him] as the means of righteousness (right relationship to God) for everyone who trusts in and adheres to and relies on Him. Romans 10:3-4 Amplified i.e. The sole purpose of the law which we cannot keep -was to point out our need of a Saviour 4

5 3. Convict men that the Power of Satan Has been broken About judgment, because the ruler of this world, Satan is judged and condemned and sentence already is passed upon him. John 16:11 4. Regenerate the believer Jesus answered, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot ever enter the kingdom of God. John 3:5 He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but because of His own pity and mercy, by the cleansing bath of the new birth (regeneration) and renewing of the Holy Spirit. Titus3:5 5. Indwell the believer Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received as a Gift from God? You are not your own, You were bought with a price. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body. 1 Corinthians 6: Seal the believer In Him you also who have heard the Word of Truth, the glad tidings (Gospel) of your salvation, and have believed in and adhered to and relied on Him, were stamped with the seal of the long-promised Holy Spirit. That Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance [the firstfruits, the pledge and foretaste, the down payment on our heritage], in anticipation of its full redemption and our acquiring complete possession of it--to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1: Baptize the believer For John baptized with water, but not many days from now you shall be baptized with (placed in, introduced into) the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:5 For by [means of the personal agency of] one Holy Spirit we were all, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, baptized [and by baptism united together] into one body, and all made to drink of one Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:13 8. Infill the believer But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the 9. Empower the believer Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth. Acts 1:8 5

6 10. Lead the believer But I say; walk and live habitually in the Holy Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God). For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the Holy Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do. But if you are guided (led) by the Holy Spirit, you are not subject to the Law. Galatians 5: Administer Spiritual Gifts to the believer NOW ABOUT the spiritual gifts (the special endowments of supernatural energy), brethren, I do not want you to be misinformed. You know that when you were heathen, you were led off after idols that could not speak as impulse directed and whenever the occasion might arise. Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking under the power and influence of the Holy Spirit of God can ever say, Jesus be cursed! And no one can say, Jesus is my Lord, except by and under the power and influence of the Holy Spirit. Now there are distinctive varieties and distributions of endowments (gifts, extraordinary powers distinguishing certain Christians, due to the power of divine grace operating in their souls by the Holy Spirit) and they vary, but the Holy Spirit remains the same. And there are distinctive varieties of service and ministration, but it is the same Lord [Who is served]. And there are distinctive varieties of operation [of working to accomplish things], but it is the same God Who inspires and energizes them all in all. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Holy Spirit [the evidence, the spiritual illumination of the Spirit] for good and profit. To one is given in and through the Holy Spirit [the power to speak] a message of wisdom, and to another [the power to express] a word of knowledge and understanding according to the same Holy Spirit; To another [wonder-working] faith by the same Holy Spirit, to another the extraordinary powers of healing by the one Spirit; To another the working of miracles, to another prophetic insight (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose); to another the ability to discern and distinguish between the utterances of true spirits and false ones, to another various kinds of unknown tongues, to another the ability to interpret such tongues. All these gifts, achievements, abilities are inspired and brought to pass by one and the same Holy Spirit, Who apportions to each person individually exactly as He chooses. The Gifts of the Spirit are essentially God s Supernatural Tools for administration of the Church The Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost to remain with the body of Christ until it is complete and presented to the Lord Jesus at his coming. Just as Jesus Christ finished the work he came to do in the flesh, so the Holy Spirit will finish the work he came to do in the body, i.e. Church 6

7 5. THE FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT This is brief over view- see more detailed study on the Fruit of the Spirit. But the fruit of the Holy Spirit the work which His presence within accomplishes is: Love, Joy (gladness), Peace, Patience (an even temper, forbearance), Kindness, Goodness (benevolence), Faithfulness, Gentleness (meekness, humility), Self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law that can bring a charge. The fruit of the spirit is love. Only as we live in love can we fulfil the will of God in our lives. The believers must become love: The believers must become love: The believers must become love: Inspired Mastered Driven Joy is loves strength. Peace is loves security. Long-suffering is loves patience. Gentleness is loves conduct. Goodness is loves character. Faith is loves confidence. Meekness is loves humility. Temperance is loves victory Against such there is no law Without the fruit of the spirit (love) we are just a religious noise For the love of Christ controls and urges and impels us, because we are of the opinion and conviction that if One died for all, then all died; 2 Corinthians 5:14 The fruit of the spirit is love and it is manifested in : Joy, Peace, Long-suffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness and Temperance IF I can speak in the tongues of men and even of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such as is inspired by God's love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 1 Corinthians 13:1 A Holy Spirit controlled man needs no law, to cause him to live a righteous life. 7

8 The secret of a Spirit-controlled life is found in dedication to God The disciples would have been familiar with the concept of sacrifice in the story of Abraham s sacrifice of his son Isaac; as a demonstration that God had first place in his life over even the thing that was most precious to him. I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of all the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies; presenting all your members and faculties as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the entire renewal of your mind, by its new ideals and its new attitude, so that you may prove for yourselves what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect in His sight for you. Romans 12:1-2 Put your life on the altar and the Holy Spirit will fill your heart with love for God Then he will use you in the gifts as a channel to flow through. Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us. Romans 5:5 An excerpt from David Wilkerson Today THE COMFORTER HAS COME by David Wilkerson Jesus calls the Holy Spirit the Comforter. It is one thing to know the Holy Spirit as our comforter, but we must also know how he comforts us, so we can distinguish what comfort is of flesh and what is from the Spirit. Consider the brother who is overcome with loneliness. He prays for the comfort of the Holy Spirit and expects that comfort to come as a feeling. In fact, he imagines it as a kind of sudden breath from heaven, like a spiritual sedative to his soul. This feeling of peace may actually come to him but the next morning it is gone. As a result, he starts to believe the Holy Spirit has refused his request. No, never! The Holy Spirit doesn t comfort us by manipulating our feelings. His way of comforting is vastly different and is outlined clearly in Scripture. No matter what the problem, trial or need, his ministry of comfort is accomplished by bringing truth: When he [the Holy Spirit] is come, he will guide you into all truth (John 16:13). The fact is, our comfort springs from what we know, not what we feel. Only truth overrules feelings! And the comforting ministry of the Holy Spirit begins with this foundational truth: God is not mad at you. He loves you. Hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us (Romans 5:5). The Greek meaning here is even stronger than the translation suggests, saying that the love of God is caused to gush forth into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. An unbearable burden may be caused by fear, shame, sorrow, afflictions, temptations, or discouragement. Yet, no matter what the cause, comfort is needed. Suddenly a voice is heard, echoing through every corridor of the soul the voice of the Holy Spirit declaring to the soul, Nothing can separate you from the love of God. This truth once you believe it quickly becomes a gusher of living water, sweeping away every stumbling block. The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you (John 14:26) 8