“Jesus turned and rebuked the disciples, and said, ‘You know not what manner of spirit you are of'” (Luke 9:55).

We are all subject to strong emotions. It is a daily battle to have self-control. Emotions pour forth from fear, frustration, prejudices, biased opinions, long-standing disagreements and many other triggers, and “hot buttons” that produce expressions of anger, hate, heated arguments, etc.

The Disciples, James and John, were very upset with certain Samaritans, who did not receive Jesus into their village. They said to Jesus, “Lord, will you that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elijah did”? Then forthwith came the rebuke: “You know not what manner of spirit you are of”.

“Of what spirit are you?” In the name of the Lord do you act out of your emotions? It happens all the time. We quote Scripture and express it with the wrong spirit. Whether in marital relations, politics, in the market place, or with the church elders. Have you ever come under the conviction of the Holy Spirit for your bad attitude, your expression that was an offence to Christ? Believe me, it is a painful conviction, and upon receiving requires immediate confession and repentance.

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. The nature of the Holy Spirit is Divine. The power of the Holy Spirit is prophetic, discerning, healing, wise, full of knowledge, miraculous.

Being of the Holy Spirit means we live full of grace, speak the truth in love, and are divinely enabled to forgive. We fully trust in God as our Defender, Vindicator, and Victory. Our actions are Spirit led, directed and controlled. Our words are wholesome, edifying and redemptive. In all things we are holy, pure, righteous, and godly. We know of what Spirit we are. We know we are of God.

“We know that whosoever is born of God sins not; but he that is begotten of God keeps himself, and that wicked one touches him not. And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in wickedness. We know that the Son of God is come, and has given us an understanding that we may know Him that is True, and we are in Him that is True, even in His Son, Jesus Christ. This is the True God, and Eternal Life” (I John 5:18-20).

In the Holy Spirit there is nothing foul, unclean, demeaning, impure, filthy, dirty, sensual or sinful. The spirit that produces these things is demonic, satanic and devilish, and of the sinful flesh.

The Apostle James declares, “the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy, and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17).

The Apostle John exhorts us, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God, because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (I John 4:1).

“Of what spirit are you?”

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