The Exegetical Anatomy 

of The Spirits of People

 

Section One

The Spirits in People

1.1 The Holy Spirit. After the Holy Spirit descended from heaven and filled the apostles in Jerusalem during Pentecost (Acts 2:4), a new epoch of the Holy Spirit’s ministry dawned with the inauguration of the Church. As John the Baptist prophesied (Mark 1:8), Jesus baptized all believers into His body at the moment of salvation (1 Corinthians 1:13). In contrast to the continual presence of the Holy Spirit indwelling each believer at the moment of salvation, other spirits also play a role in the believer’s life. This study will briefly survey some of the other spirits in people. 

Section Two

Spirit of Living Ones

2.1 Breath of Life. All flesh in which was the spirit of living ones went into the ark (Genesis 7:15). ¹Moses wrote about the flesh which had in them spirit of living ones (“ר֥וּחַ חַיִּֽים“). The spirit of living ones described a particular group of beings, who were part of the living ones, created by God when He breathed into their nostrils the breath of living ones (Genesis 2:7). Yahweh Elohim blew into the nose of Adam the breath of living ones. ²Yahweh Elohim blew into the nose of Adam the breath of living ones (“נִשְׁמַ֣ת חַיִּ֑ים“) and he came to soul life (“לְנֶ֥פֶשׁ חַיָּֽה“). Therefore, Adam and all the animals on the ark shared the spirit of living ones.

2.2 Spirit of Living Ones. Yahweh closed the ark and sealed Noah and his family in the ark. Yahweh then flooded the earth and all flesh perished, all in whose nose was the breath of spirit of living ones (Genesis 7:22). ³Moses wrote: “שְׁמַת־ר֨וּחַ חַיִּ֜ים בְּאַפָּ֗יו” the breath of spirit of of living ones in their noses. Generally, the living ones dwell upon the earth and have the spirit of living ones in their noses. See the Living Ones. 

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Section Three

Troubled Spirits

3.1 Pharaoh. Pharaoh had a dream and in the morning his spirit troubled him. No one but Joseph could interpret the dream for Pharaoh. (Genesis 41:8). ⁴Moses wrote that his spirit was troubled “תִּפָּ֣עֶם רוּחֹ֔ו“. The niphal imperfect form conveys the passive/reflexive idea, that his dreams caused his trouble, with all the action happening within Pharaoh. Therefore, the spirit of people can be affected by their dreams. Furthermore, once the spirit is troubled, then it propels them to action. Here, Pharaoh sought an interpretation of his dream.

3.2 Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar had dreams which intensively troubled him and his sleep left him. (Daniel 2:1) ⁵Daniel wrote that Nebuchadnezzar had dreams and they troubled (וַתִּתְפָּ֣עֶם–hithpael consecutive–the hithpael stem means intensive reflexive action), meaning here that his dreams intensely troubled him. As with Pharoah, he felt compelled to action to understand the meaning of the dream. 

Section Four

Lived Spirit

4.1 Jacob. The spirit of Jacob lived when he heard all the words Joseph had spoken to his other sons, and he had seen the wagons Joseph had sent to carry Jacob and his family to Egypt (Genesis 45:27). ⁶Moses wrote: “and lived spirit” (“וַתְּחִ֕י ר֖וּחַ“–notice the feminine singular waw consecutive) of Jacob when he heard the news about Joseph. 

 

Section Five

Grief of Spirit

5.1 Grief of Spirit. When Esau was forty years of age, he took as his wives Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite. Esau’s choice of foreign, idolatrous wives brought bitterness of spirit to Esau’s parents, Isaac and Rebekah (Genesis 26:34-35). ⁷God wrote: וַתִּהְיֶ֖יןָ מֹ֣רַת ר֑וּחַ לְיִצְחָ֖ק וּלְרִבְקָֽה׃ Choosing the Godly spouse will benefit an entire family for generations, just as bringing an idolatrous wife into a family will harm a family for generations. The parents of a child who marries an idolater brings bitterness of spirit. Therefore, we know that spiritually sound parents will have bitterness of spirit when their children ignore God and oppose the will of God, with very lasting consequences.

 

Section Six

Shortness of Spirit

6.1 Shortness of Spirit. Moses, moved by the inspiration of God,  proclaimed to the people of Israel held in bondage in Egypt that God sent him to deliver them and give them the land promised to the patriarchs of Israel,  Abraham, Isaac and Jacob  (Exodus 6:8). The people of Israel did not listen to the words of Moses because of the shortness of spirit and cruel bondage (Exodus 6:9). ⁸The Hebrew text provides: “וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר מֹשֶׁ֛ה כֵּ֖ן אֶל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְלֹ֤א שָֽׁמְעוּ֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה מִקֹּ֣צֶר ר֔וּחַ וּמֵעֲבֹדָ֖ה קָשָֽׁה” (Exodus 6:9). The phrase “anguish of spirit–literally shortness of spirit” (“מִקֹּ֣צֶר ר֔וּחַ”) only occurs here in the Old Testament. This shortness of spirit deprived the people of Israel from listening to Moses speaking for God. Even today, people laboring under shortness of spirit and hard labor as slaves shut their spiritual ears so that they do not listen to God.

 

Section Seven

Proud Spirit

7.1 Proud Spirit. King Nebuchadnezzar exercised extreme power over his kingdom. He killed whomever he wanted and let live whomever he wanted. Yet, when his heart was lifted up and his spirit grew strong in presumption, he was deposed from his kingly throne (Daniel 5:20). ⁹The Aramaic text provides: וּכְדִי֙ רִ֣ם לִבְבֵ֔הּ וְרוּחֵ֖הּ תִּֽקְפַ֣ת לַהֲזָדָ֑ה הָנְחַת֙ מִן־כָּרְסֵ֣א מַלְכוּתֵ֔הּ וִֽיקָרָ֖ה הֶעְדִּ֥יוּ מִנֵּֽהּ. Both the heart and the spirit sinned against God and He deposed Nebuchadnezzar. Notice that the spirit grew strong in presumption, always assuming as king he could do no wrong. Yet, God brought judgment upon the great Nebuchadnezzar.

Section Eight

Distressed Spirit

8.1 Distressed Spirit. The prophet Daniel had a series of night visions while in exile in Babylon. In one vision, Daniel witnessed the Ancient of Days passing judgment upon the horn speaking pompous words. The horn’s dominion was taken away when one like the Son of Man came upon the clouds of heaven. The Son of Man  received an everlasting kingdom which will not pass away (Daniel 7:11-14). After seeing the vision concerning the Ancient of Days, Daniel was distressed of spirit and his head was alarmed because of the visions (Daniel 7:15). ¹⁰The Aramaic text provides: אֶתְכְּרִיַּ֥ת רוּחִ֛י אֲנָ֥ה דָנִיֵּ֖אל בְּג֣וֹא נִדְנֶ֑ה וְחֶזְוֵ֥י רֵאשִׁ֖י יְבַהֲלֻנַּֽנִי׃. Some word studies show that the word “distressed” may be related to short of spirit, as in Exodus 6:8. The passive voice of “distressed” indicates something was making his spirit distressed. Also, Daniel’s head  was alarmed. We should recall that the faithful prophets of the Old Testament like Daniel experienced spiritual and physical consequences of the revelations they received directly from God. In our lives, as we read and believe the Scriptures, we too can expect both spiritual and physical consequences in our lives. Keep in mind the “distress of spirit” and the separate reaction of “alarm” in the head of Daniel.

Section Nine

Spirit of Wisdom

9.1 Spirit of Wisdom. God gave the Spirit of Wisdom to certain people in Israel to construct the tabernacle and other things designed by Yahweh (Exodus 28:3). ¹¹וְאַתָּ֗ה תְּדַבֵּר֙ אֶל־כָּל־חַכְמֵי־לֵ֔ב אֲשֶׁ֥ר מִלֵּאתִ֖יו ר֣וּחַ חָכְמָ֑ה וְעָשׂ֞וּ אֶת־בִּגְדֵ֧י אַהֲרֹ֛ן לְקַדְּשֹׁ֖ו לְכַהֲנֹו־לִֽי. Notice the piel intensive “מִלֵּאתִ֖יו” to describe Yahweh having filled the artisans. Yahweh filled them with the Spirit of Wisdom so that they may produce the exact items described by God. Today, the Holy Spirit fills each saint at the moment of salvation. In contrast, the Spirit of Wisdom filled the artisan for a particular and limited purpose.

Section Ten

Spirit of Jealousy

10.1 Spirit of Jealousy. In the Old Testament, the Law of Moses provided a means for detecting immorality in a wife called the Law of Jealousy. If the husband suspected that his wife has committed immorality, but  there were no witnesses and she had not been caught in the act of immorality, then the Law of Jealousy could be applied  (Numbers 5:30). The suspicious husband would bring his wife to the priest and he would perform a ceremony with her to determine if she had committed immorality. That procedure became known as the Law of Jealousy. God described a spirit of jealousy at work in the man doubting the morality of his wife. ¹²The Hebrew text provides: אֹ֣ו אִ֗ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֨ר תַּעֲבֹ֥ר עָלָ֛יו ר֥וּחַ קִנְאָ֖ה וְקִנֵּ֣א אֶת־אִשְׁתֹּ֑ו וְהֶעֱמִ֤יד אֶת־הָֽאִשָּׁה֙ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֔ה וְעָ֤שָׂה לָהּ֙ הַכֹּהֵ֔ן אֵ֥ת כָּל־הַתֹּורָ֖ה הַזֹּ    עָבַ֨ר עָלָ֤יו רֽוּחַ־ קִנְאָה֙ וְקִנֵּ֣א. The spirit of jealousy “passes through” the man, so that he becomes jealous of his wife. We learn from this passage that a spirit of jealousy disturbs the man because something has aroused his suspicion. God did not want the husband to linger in the spirit of jealousy.

Section Eleven

Low of Spirit

11.1 Low of  Spirit. God revealed that the pride of man will make him low, but the low of spirit will attain honor (Proverbs 29:23). God rewards the low of spirit with honor, the very thing the prideful seek, but never obtain. Pride opposes the low in spirit. ¹³The Hebrew text  provides: גַּאֲוַ֣ת אָ֭דָם תַּשְׁפִּילֶ֑נּוּ וּשְׁפַל־ר֝֗וּחַ יִתְמֹ֥ךְ כָּבֹֽוד. Please take notice (1) the pride of man joined with the verb, Hiphil imperative,  “to make low” opposed to  (2) the “low of spirit” (construct state) will attain (Qal imperfect) honor. The same root word for “low” contrasts pride with the blessings of low in spirit.

Section Twelve

Spirit of Judgment

12.1 Spirit of Justice. Isaiah the prophet, writing under the inspiration of God, described a spirit of judgment for him who sits in judgment (Isaiah 28:6). ¹⁴The Hebrew text provides: וּלְר֖וּחַ מִשְׁפָּ֑ט לַיֹּושֵׁב֙ עַל־הַמִּשְׁפָּ֔ט וְלִ֨גְבוּרָ֔ה מְשִׁיבֵ֥י מִלְחָמָ֖ה שָֽׁעְרָה. Similar to the Spirit of Wisdom for the artisans, so also the spirit of judgment helps those sitting in judgment to render God’s decisions.

Section Thirteen

Spirit of Deep Sleep

13.1 Spirit of Deep Sleep. Isaiah the prophet warned the multitude of nations who wage war against Mount Zion that Yahweh will oppose them. Specifically, Yahweh warned those nations that He “has poured over you a spirit of deep sleep, He has shut your eyes, the prophets; He has covered your heads, the seers” (Isaiah 29:10). ¹⁵The Hebrew text provides: כִּֽי־נָסַ֨ךְ עֲלֵיכֶ֤ם יְהוָה֙ ר֣וּחַ תַּרְדֵּמָ֔ה וַיְעַצֵּ֖ם אֶת־עֵֽינֵיכֶ֑ם אֶת־הַנְּבִיאִ֛ים וְאֶת־רָאשֵׁיכֶ֥ם הַחֹזִ֖ים כִּסָּֽה׃.The term for “poured out” often means pouring out a drink offering (Genesis 35:14; Exodus 30:9;Psalm 16:4; Hosea 9:4). The Hebrew text emphasized that Yahweh “has poured out” upon those many evil nations a “spirit of deep sleep,” including their prophets and seers, so that they remain blind and immobile spiritually. In a similar way, Yahweh Elohim caused “deep sleep” to fall upon Adam when God created Eve (Genesis 2:21; see also 1 Samuel 26:12). God achieved victory over His enemies here because they tried to hide their evil plans, but God simply poured out upon them a spirit of deep sleep as part of His judgment upon them. The people of Israel drew near to God with their words and lip service, but they removed their hearts far from God and reverenced their traditions over God. We learn that we can hide nothing from God and that He always has the power to pour out a “spirit of deep sleep” upon all people trying to defeat His plans for His people.

Section Fourteen

Spirit of Dullness

14.1 Spirit of Dullness. During His ministry in human flesh, Jesus stood in the synagogue in Nazareth and proclaimed that He fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning the Spirit of Yahweh Elohim coming upon Him for public ministry to Israel first and then the world. Reading Isaiah 61, Jesus proclaimed: (1) the present “Favorable Year of Yahweh” had arrived with Jesus (Isaiah 61:1-2a); and (2) the “Day of Vengeance” of God was coming in the future; and (3) the time of “Comfort for Israel” would come after the “Day of Vengeance” (Isaiah 61:2b-3). As Isaiah wrote, the people of Zion would look forward to a day of “garment of praise” replacing the “spirit of dullness.” ¹⁶The Hebrew text of Isaiah 61: provides: לָשׂ֣וּם׀ לַאֲבֵלֵ֣י צִיֹּ֗ון לָתֵת֩ לָהֶ֨ם פְּאֵ֜ר תַּ֣חַת אֵ֗פֶר שֶׁ֤מֶן שָׂשֹׂון֙ תַּ֣חַת אֵ֔בֶל מַעֲטֵ֣ה תְהִלָּ֔ה תַּ֖חַת ר֣וּחַ כֵּהָ֑ה וְקֹרָ֤א לָהֶם֙ אֵילֵ֣י הַצֶּ֔דֶק מַטַּ֥ע יְהוָ֖ה לְהִתְפָּאֵֽר. Therefore, we understand that the “spirit of dullness” describes the present spiritual state of the people of Israel who have rejected Jesus as Messiah of Israel, but better things await them in the future.

 

Section Fifteen

Broken of Spirit

15.1 Broken Spirit. Isaiah the prophet brought an indictment against the wayward people of Israel. Speaking under the inspiration of God, Isaiah wrote that God’s people had forsaken Him, but in the future He would raise up His servants who would serve Him. The people who had forsaken God would cry out from “sorrow of heart” and they will wail with a “broken of spirit.” ¹⁷The Hebrew text provides: הִנֵּ֧ה עֲבָדַ֛י יָרֹ֖נּוּ מִטּ֣וּב לֵ֑ב וְאַתֶּ֤ם תִּצְעֲקוּ֙ מִכְּאֵ֣ב לֵ֔ב וּמִשֵּׁ֥בֶר ר֖וּחַ תְּיֵלִֽילוּ. The Hiphil “wail” suggests causation, meaning they wail because they have “sorrow of heart” and “broken of spirit.” In contrast, the His servants will shout joyfully with a glad heart (Isaiah 65:14). Therefore, forsaking God brings about crying from sorrow of heart and wailing from a broken spirit. The heart and spirit remain separate, but spiritual consequences of sin affect both heart and spirit. 

Section Sixteen

Crippled Spirit

16.1 Crippled of Spirit. After describing the future New Jerusalem and its prosperity (Isaiah 65:17-24), Yahweh then observed that heaven is His throne and the earth His footstool. The people of earth could not build a house for Him and He needed no place to rest (Isaiah 66:1). Yahweh also declared He made all things and they came into being (Isaiah 66:2).  Then Yahweh looked to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at Yahweh’s word (Isaiah 66:2). ¹⁸The Hebrew text provides: וְאֶת־כָּל־אֵ֨לֶּה֙ יָדִ֣י עָשָׂ֔תָה וַיִּהְי֥וּ כָל־אֵ֖לֶּה נְאֻם־יְהוָ֑ה וְאֶל־זֶ֣ה אַבִּ֔יט אֶל־עָנִי֙ וּנְכֵה־ר֔וּחַ וְחָרֵ֖ד עַל־דְּבָרִֽי . Yahweh described a “crippled spirit.” The term “crippled” described the feet of Mephibosheth as crippled, because he fell and became lame (2 Samuel 4:4; 9:3). Therefore, we know that Yahweh values three qualities in man, which, in this case, occur together in one man: (1) humble; and (2) “crippled of spirit”; and (3) trembles at the word of Yahweh. While Yahweh made all things and needs nothing from anyone, He still looks (2 Kings 3:14) to the humble and crippled of spirit who tremble at Yahweh’s word.

 

Section Seventeen

Spirit of Destroyer

17.1 Spirit of Destroyer. Yahweh warned that He would arouse the “spirit of destroyer” against the inhabitants of Babylon and the inhabitants of Leb-Kamai (Jeremiah 51:1). ¹⁹The Hebrew text provides: כֹּ֚ה אָמַ֣ר יְהוָ֔ה הִנְנִי֙ מֵעִ֣יר עַל־בָּבֶ֔ל וְאֶל־יֹשְׁבֵ֖י לֵ֣ב קָמָ֑י ר֖וּחַ מַשְׁחִֽית Please notice that the “destroyer” occurs as a Hiphil participle with causation. See Genesis 9:11, 15 for the destruction caused by flood upon the earth. Yahweh then explained that He will send foreigners to winnow and devastate Babylon. Therefore, Yahweh sent the “spirit of destroyer” to move foreigners to destroy Babylon. 

 

Section Eighteen

Spirit of Harlotries

18.2 Spirit of Harlotries. The prophet Hosea, writing under the inspiration of God, revealed that the people of Israel consulted wooden idols and wands, because a “spirit of harlotries” had caused them to wander from their God (Hosea 4:12). ²⁰The Hebrew text provides: “עַמִּי֙ בְּעֵצֹ֣ו יִשְׁאָ֔ל וּמַקְלֹ֖ו יַגִּ֣יד לֹ֑ו כִּ֣י ר֤וּחַ זְנוּנִים֙ הִתְעָ֔ה וַיִּזְנ֖וּ מִתַּ֥חַת אֱלֹהֵיהֶֽם.” Notice the Hiphil “wander” as the cause of the spiritual error. Therefore, we learn that the the “spirit of harlotries” causes people to seek idols and wander from God.  Likewise, a “spirit of harlotries” also caused the house of Israel to turn away from God, and then their deeds did not allow them to return to their God because a “spirit of harlotries” was in their midst and they did not know Yahweh (Hosea 5:4). ²¹The Hebrew text provides: “לֹ֤א יִתְּנוּ֙ מַ֣עַלְלֵיהֶ֔ם לָשׁ֖וּב אֶל־אֱלֹֽהֵיהֶ֑ם כִּ֣י ר֤וּחַ זְנוּנִים֙ בְּקִרְבָּ֔ם וְאֶת־יְהוָ֖ה לֹ֥א יָדָֽעוּ.” Therefore, not only does the “spirit of harlotries” cause people to fall into idolatry, but it also prevents people from returning to Yahweh, because they never knew Him.

 

Section Nineteen

Spirit of Grace and Supplication

19.1 Spirit of Grace and Supplication. The prophet Zechariah, writing under the inspiration of God, proclaimed that in the future, shortly before Jesus returns to the Mount of Olives to establish His physical reign upon the earth, the people of Israel would change their minds about Jesus the Messiah. Beginning with the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Yahweh will pour out upon them the “Spirit of Grace and Supplication.” Upon receiving the “Spirit of Grace and Supplication,” they would look upon Jesus Whom they had pierced and mourn for Him (Zechariah 12:10). ²²The Hebrew text provides: וְשָׁפַכְתִּי֩ עַל־בֵּ֨ית דָּוִ֜יד וְעַ֣ל׀ יֹושֵׁ֣ב יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם ר֤וּחַ חֵן֙ וְתַ֣חֲנוּנִ֔ים וְהִבִּ֥יטוּ אֵלַ֖י אֵ֣ת אֲשֶׁר־דָּקָ֑רוּ וְסָפְד֣וּ עָלָ֗יו כְּמִסְפֵּד֙ עַל־הַיָּחִ֔יד וְהָמֵ֥ר עָלָ֖יו כְּהָמֵ֥ר עַֽל־הַבְּכֹֽור” Therefore, we know that Yahweh will change the hearts of His people by pouring out the “Spirit of Grace and Supplication” upon them so they will embrace the Messiah when He appears to vanquish His enemies (Zechariah 14:1-3).  

 

Section Twenty

Spirit of Python

20.1 Spirit of Python. As Paul, the apostle of Jesus Christ, went to a river in Philippi to meet people, a slave-girl followed Paul and his companions. She had a “spirit of python” and brought great fortune to her masters by fortune-telling (Acts 16:16). ²³The Greek text provides: “Ἐγένετο δὲ πορευομένων ἡμῶν εἰς τὴν προσευχὴν παιδίσκην τινὰ ἔχουσαν πνεῦμα πύθωνα ὑπαντῆσαι ἡμῖν, ἥτις ἐργασίαν πολλὴν παρεῖχεν τοῖς κυρίοις αὐτῆς μαντευομένη.” Some translators prefer “divination” for “python.” Although she announced that Paul and his companions were slaves of the Most High God, proclaiming the way of salvation, Paul was greatly annoyed and cast out the “spirit of python” from her (Acts 16:17-18). This spirit gave the girl supernatural powers, but God opposed such people testifying for Him about salvation.

 

Section Twenty-One

Spirit of Gentleness

21.1 Spirit of Gentleness. The apostle Paul asked the Corinthians if he should come to them with a rod, or with love and a “spirit of gentleness”? (1 Corinthians 4:21). ²⁴The Greek text provides: “τί θέλετε; ἐν ῥάβδῳ ἔλθω πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἢ ἐν ἀγάπῃ πνεύματί τε πραΰτητος;” Paul used a phrase suggesting that love and “spirit of gentleness” were closely related. This “spirit of gentleness” described how Paul would deal with the Corinthians about their sinful behavior and he would display the power of God. Therefore, the “spirit of gentleness” stands opposite to dealing with people with a rod of correction. 

Section Twenty-Two

Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation

22.1 Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation.  The apostle Paul prayed that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, would give to the Ephesians a “spirit of wisdom and revelation” in the knowledge of God (Ephesians 1:17). ²⁵The Greek text provides: ἵνα ὁ θεὸς τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ὁ πατὴρ τῆς δόξης, δώῃ ὑμῖν πνεῦμα σοφίας καὶ ἀποκαλύψεως ἐν ἐπιγνώσει αὐτοῦ. This “spirit of wisdom and revelation” should not be confused with Jesus baptizing (Mark 1:8) each believer into the body of Christ at the moment of salvation (1 Corinthians 12:13), because each believer has been sealed with the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation and the Holy Spirit resides in each believer all the time (Ephesians 4:30). Because Paul prayed for the Ephesians to receive this special gift after their salvation, this gift of a “spirit of wisdom and revelation” remains distinct from the presence of the Holy Spirit abiding in each believer from the moment of salvation. Paul elaborated that this special gift of the “spirit of wisdom and revelation” had a specific purpose. Paul wanted the eyes of the Ephesians’ hearts to be enlightened, so that they will known more about the blessings of God (Ephesians 1:18-23). Therefore, we know that the “spirit of wisdom and revelation” helps believers to know more about the wonderful blessings of God in our lives, but it is a special gift of God after salvation.  See Seven Spirits of God. 

Section Twenty-Three

The Spirit of Your Mind

23.1 Spirit of Your Mind. The apostle Paul urged the Ephesian saints to lay aside the old self, and instead be renewed in “the spirit of your mind” (Ephesians 4:23). ²⁶The Greek text provides: “ἀνανεοῦσθαι δὲ τῷ πνεύματι τοῦ νοὸς ὑμῶν.”  Paul described the old self as being corrupted in accordance with the lust of deceit (Ephesians 4:22). In contrast, the saint must be renewed in “the “spirit of your mind.” Therefore, we understand the old forces of corruption oppose the renewal in “the spirit of your mind.” The renewal in “the spirit of your mind” precedes and enables putting on the new self, created in righteousness and holiness of truth (Ephesians 4:24). “The spirit of your mind” stands in contrast to the corruption of the old self. Notice that the renewal in the mind describes the place of understanding. Indeed, each saint has the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). We should also pray with the mind and sing with the mind (1 Corinthians 14:15). Saints should also be careful to avoid being puffed up under the mind of the flesh (Colossians 2:18). Therefore, “the spirit of your mind” describes the spiritual activity in the mind of the saints which brings about the laying aside of the old self and putting on the new self.

Section Twenty-Four

Spirit of Timidity

24.1 Spirit of Timidity. The apostle Paul  wrote to Timothy about kindling afresh the gift of God bestowed upon Timothy by the laying on of hands (2 Timothy 1:6). Paul then explained the reason for kindling afresh the spiritual gift of God within Timothy. Through the use of his spiritual gift, Timothy would work in the spirit of power and love and discipline, and not in the spirit of timidity (2 Timothy 1:7). Paul emphasized that God did not give Timothy and the other saints a “spirit of timidity.” In this context, the term “timidity” relates directly to our faith as believers (2 Timothy 1:3-6). ²⁷The Greek text provides: οὐ γὰρ ἔδωκεν ἡμῖν ὁ θεὸς πνεῦμα δειλίας ἀλλὰ δυνάμεως καὶ ἀγάπης καὶ σωφρονισμοῦ. We must follow the example of Paul who served God with a clear conscience, using his spiritual gifts, constantly praying for other believers, and longing to see his spiritual children so that Paul would be filled with joy (2 Timothy 1:3-4). Therefore, we understand that the “spirit of timidity” causes us to act like Paul, using our spiritual gifts daily, praying for other believers, longing to see our spiritual children, and encouraging them to use their spiritual gifts to become daily ministers for Christ, just like Paul, as he was involved in making disciples of Jesus Christ who labor in the spirit of power, love and discipline. 

Section Twenty-Five

The Gentle and Quiet Spirit

25.1 Gentle and Quiet Spirit. The apostle Peter explained how  believing wives may win over their husbands who are disobedient to the word (1 Peter 3:1).  According to Peter, writing under the inspiration of God, the wife’s behavior makes all the difference. The wife must focus not upon external adornment, but upon the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of “the gentle and quiet spirit” (1 Peter 3:4). ²⁸The Greek text provides: ἀλλ’ ὁ κρυπτὸς τῆς καρδίας ἄνθρωπος ἐν τῷ ἀφθάρτῳ τοῦ πραέως καὶ ἡσυχίου πνεύματος ὅ ἐστιν ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ πολυτελές. It appears that the singular “gentle” (genitive) and “quiet” (genitive) joined by the single “and” refer to the same spirit.  Therefore, the wife’s pure conduct stems from the hidden person of her heart. “The gentle and quiet spirit” stands within the heart as an imperishable quality, of great value before God. While the husband displays disobedience, the wife responds not with words, but pure conduct arising from “the gentle and quiet spirit” in her heart. In essence, Peter outlined how the heart and spirit of the wife helps the disobedient husband to change his ways. 

Section Twenty-Six

Spirit of Truth and Spirit of Error

26.1 Spirit of Truth and Spirit of Error. John, writing under the inspiration of God, distinguished the spirit of truth from the spirit of error (1 John 4:6). ²⁹The Greek text provides: ἡμεῖς ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ ἐσμεν· ὁ γινώσκων τὸν θεὸν ἀκούει ἡμῶν· ὃς οὐκ ἔστιν ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ, οὐκ ἀκούει ἡμῶν. ἐκ τούτου γινώσκομεν τὸ πνεῦμα τῆς ἀληθείας καὶ τὸ πνεῦμα τῆς πλάνης.  John commanded the little children of God to test the spirits to know if they are from God. If a spirit confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, then it is from God. If the spirit does not confess Jesus, it is not from God, but it is of anti-Christ (1 John 4:1-3). John then promised that the children of God have overcome the evils spirits of anti-Christ, because God is in the children of God. The spirits of anti-Christ are from the world and speak from the world and the world listens to them (1 John 4:4-5). In contrast, the apostles of Jesus are from God and the children of God listen to the apostles. If someone does not listen to the apostles, then that person is not of God. Therefore, we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error by applying John’s test of the spirits. The test may summarized as follows. First, does the spirit confess that Jesus has come into the world? If so, then that spirit is of God. Second, does the world listen to spirit? If so, then that spirit is not from God. Third, does the spirit listen to the apostles of Jesus Christ? If so, then that spirit is from God. By applying that test to spirits, the little children of God may identify and reject the people doing the work of anti-Christ through the power of the spirit of error within them. In contrast, the little children of God may remain secure in God, knowing they can can know the difference between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. The little children of God rejoice in that they have overcome the world and they listen to the spirit of truth, because God is greater than he who is in the world. 

Section Twenty-Seven

Spirit of Prophecy

27.1 The Spirit of Prophecy. While the apostle John was standing in heaven and witnessing future events, he tried to worship a creature talking with him (Revelation 19:10). ³⁰The Greek text provides: καὶ ἔπεσα ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ποδῶν αὐτοῦ προσκυνῆσαι αὐτῷ. καὶ λέγει μοι· ὅρα μή· σύνδουλός σού εἰμι καὶ τῶν ἀδελφῶν σου τῶν ἐχόντων τὴν μαρτυρίαν Ἰησοῦ· τῷ θεῷ προσκύνησον. ἡ γὰρ μαρτυρία Ἰησοῦ ἐστιν τὸ πνεῦμα τῆς προφητείας. The creature replied: do not worship me for I am a fellow-slave of yours and your brethren having “the testimony of Jesus.” Worship God. For the “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” In order to understand what “the spirit of prophecy” means, we must pay careful attention to the clues in the text. First, keep in mind that John tried to worship the creature. Second, the creature responded that John should not worship the creature because: (a) the creature is a fellow-slave of John; and (b) the creature is a fellow-slave of the brethren, the ones having “the testimony of Jesus.”  In order to understand what it means to be one of the brethren having “the testimony of Jesus,” please consider Revelation 12:17. There, the dragon (satan) goes off to persecute the woman who gave birth to the Male Child (Jesus) (Revelation12:13). When the dragon could no longer pursue the woman, he turned to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and having “the testimony of Jesus” (Revelation 12:17). Therefore, the phrase “having the testimony of Jesus” describes believers and they keep the commandments of God. So, the people having “the testimony of Jesus” also have “the spirit of prophecy” within them. “The spirit of prophecy” apparently refers to “the testimony of Jesus” which provides salvation for the saints having “the testimony of Jesus.” Because all saints have “the spirit of prophecy” within them, they should not worship anyone but God because He alone causes the saints to have “the testimony of Jesus” and to be the people “having the testimony of Jesus” within them, even as they suffer intense persecution. In this case, the creature told John that the creature is a fellow-slave of John and his brethren holding “the testimony of Jesus.” Because they are holding “the testimony of Jesus,” they also are holding “the spirit of prophecy” within them. Therefore, “the spirit of prophecy” refers to saints holding the “the testimony of Jesus” which has been given to them by God for salvation and they are “holding” that testimony within them. So, “the spirit of prophecy” refers to God revealing the things pertaining to the people holding “the testimony of Jesus,” which include John and his brethren.

 

HALLLEJAH !