The Spirit Which We Are Of

The Spirit Which We Are Of

“But He turned and rebuked them, and said, ‘You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.’” Luke 9:55.

The disciples were not yet aware what manner of spirit they were of. A strange spirit had gained power over them without them being aware of it. When they met opposition in a Samaritan town, they wanted to command fire to fall from heaven and consume their opponents. Jesus had to speak quite firmly to them. They were still in the old spirit: an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.

We need to be awakened powerfully, and we need to examine ourselves thoroughly in order to understand truly what manner of spirit we are of. In the meantime Satan can really have a field day with many people, and they can end up in all kinds of unnecessary battles and sufferings before they finally wake up. Then it is good for them to come into the liberty and rest of the Spirit of Christ.

We must fight a conscious battle against the hosts of wickedness so that they cannot exercise any influence over our words and deeds. After being converted, many people continue to think, speak, and act in the old spirit in which they lived before. One can see plainly that the spirit of the world has power over them, but they themselves do not realize it. However, if we confess Jesus’ name, we must also confess His Spirit, and live and walk in it.

Two or three believers can be engaged in a conversation, and a strange spirit can rule the entire conversation without them realizing it. If Jesus suddenly appeared in their midst, He would tell them what He told the disciples: “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.”

We are of a Spirit that does not revile again when we are reviled, but rather does the good. We are of a Spirit that does not engage in flattery or hypocrisy, and in which no guile is found. We have received the Spirit of truth that speaks the truth and in which we love one another in God’s light. This is a Spirit that is contrary to the many manifestations of the spirit of the world. This is a Spirit that hates all teaching that leads to lawlessness, but rather keeps to the paths of justice in love, humility, and faithfulness. We know what manner of spirit we are of; now let us walk in it.