Isaiah 11:2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him–
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of power,
the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.

This is perhaps the clearest description of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament. As John points out, there are many spirits, (1 John 4:1-3) so we need to be discerning whether the “spiritual person” with whom we are dealing, or the “spiritual feeling” we are feeling is really of the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit is involved, wisdom and understanding will be heightened. We’ve all seen “spiritual” people who did some very foolish things. That’s not to say that the Holy Spirit will never prompt us to do things that contradict what our senses are telling us, but it is to say that someone who is consistently operating in the Holy Spirit is going to demonstrate wisdom and understanding that are hard to explain. It’s just as the Biblical scholars were amazed at the boy Jesus, because He was operating in God’s wisdom. (Luke 2:46-47) In the next pair of descriptors, the second is generally given as “power” or “might” in English, provok­ing an image of bulging muscles or something of the sort. The Japan­ese, on the other hand, says “ability.” The Charismatic Movement has made much of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, particularly those mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12, and it is true that someone operating in the Holy Spirit will demonstrate abilities that would be hard to account for from a strictly human standpoint. However, caution needs to be used here, because the devil counterfeits various spiritual gifts at times to try to deceive people. That’s why the last pair of descriptors is so important. The NIV just says “knowledge,” but the Japanese specifies “knowledge of the Lord and fear of the Lord.” That takes us back to what John says, because the Holy Spirit will always teach us more about Christ, and cause us to love and revere Him. Someone who is flippant about God, not showing respect, is not operating in the Holy Spirit.

This is of course very pertinent to me. I was blessed with a high IQ, but there’s a world of difference between that and Godly wisdom, as I have proven more times than I care to think about! I deal with many situations that are totally beyond my understanding, but at times the Lord will give me insight that I would not have dreamed up. I have a wide assortment of abilities, but they accomplish good only when they are submitted to and infused with the Holy Spirit. However, it’s the last pair, knowledge of the Lord and fear of Him, that most grab my attention. I know from experience that academic knowledge of the Bible is not the same as knowing God. I also know, from being raised totally in the Church, that it is all too possible to be flippant about the things of God, with familiarity breeding contempt. That’s not to say I frown on humor! Any member of my congregation would be quick to correct that idea. I have long said that I can be sure that God has sense of humor because he created someone like me! How-ever, humor that denigrates God and what He has done for us in Christ is certainly not of the Holy Spirit.

Father, thank You for this very clear Word. Help me continue to teach the believers so that they may be equipped to discern spirits and operate in Your Holy Spirit. Thank You for all that You provide by Your Holy Spirit – including humor! Help me be an open channel for Your Spirit, however You choose to flow through me, so that Your will may be done on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!