Job 32:8 But it is the spirit in a person,
    the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.

This immediately brings to mind what Jesus said in the Upper Room: “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26) Likewise, John said in his first letter: “As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.” (1 John 2:27) God wants to teach us, and His Spirit is up to the job, but we’ve got to be willing to listen and learn. Sadly, there are also many lying spirits running around, and they can do real damage to those who listen to them, and to others through them. That’s why John cautions us: “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1) That’s why not everyone who seems very “spiritual” is to be trusted or believed. In recent years such spirits have often masqueraded as “science,” “psychology,” or “logic.” None of those things are necessarily bad in their pure form, but the devil loves to twist them and use them to deceive. We’ve got to remember that Jesus Himself is the truth, (John 14:6) and so judge everything by Him. That’s not always easy, because we encounter many situations we don’t find in the Bible, but familiarity with the Bible will give us the right frame of reference.

As a pastor, I am constantly dealing with people who have listened to lying spirits, and it can be heartbreaking. Only the Holy Spirit is to be listened to and believed! That should teach me to seek more and more of God’s Spirit myself, so that, filled with Him, I may accurately represent my Lord to the people around me. I have listened to lying spirits from time to time myself, and the result is never good. In my case, the devil always tries to push me toward pride, and spiritual pride is the worst kind. I must operate in humility, or I will deceive myself and hurt others. I have recently been given a responsibility for which I feel quite inadequate. I am to thank God and learn to ask for the help I need. My biggest problems for the task are in reading, and especially writing, Japanese. The job is an important one and I’m not to run away from it, but I’ve got to have God’s guidance to be able to do it properly. That said, He is faithful, and His Spirit will indeed teach and guide me.

Father, thank You for this Word this morning. Thank You for pushing me out of my comfort zone! Help me not avoid anything You have for me to do, but rather submit everything to You and apply everything You have placed in me, for the blessing of the Body of Christ and for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!