#21.3 - Sevensational: The Spirit of Understanding
Happy Satur-yay, Friends!...ANNND I want to BIG shout out to my babe MGST because it is his birthday!!! Happy Birthday you pulchritudinous, Jesus loving, God fearing, Holy Spirit walking man with a heart of gold!!! I am grateful that you were born, have lived, and that we made it here and now; I am so very excited for what Abba has in store for our future together. I love the fact that we share the /understanding/ of what it took to get here and how divinely driven our relationship is…and that is one of many reasons why when we pray each night together…I thank God for you. Here’s to another year of celebrating you, us, our family, and The Holy Trinity.
As I am going through this “7-Sational” series that Holy Spirit called me to do…I realize all of these Biblical deep dives are so healthy for my spirit. I have learned so much and I continue to learn so much each time I write. I understand this season of writing is different from sharing God’s miracles but to me…Biblical deep dives are miracles because once upon a time…I didn’t want to read the Bible let alone…understand it. Now, don’t get me wrong…I would love to “understand” Leviticus 3:16’s “All the fat is the Lord’s” from a weight loss perspective-LOL! (Parenthesis Rabbit Hole: If you have NOT played the card game “The Bible Is Funny”...I seriously encourage you to gather some friends and play it…you will laugh until you cry!!! And a hefty shout out to Rev./Pastor Jesus Cantu for sharing that game with us!!! If you’re interested in checking it out click this link: The Bible Is Funny Card Game and yes…they have one expansion already out and I believe they are slated to make more.) I don’t really understand Leviticus 3:16 from a weight loss perspective…or understand Leviticus at all (that was a joke-but wowza-Levitical law is rough to read through!!!). How we understand things varies and alters our perspectives positively or negatively…but one of Holy Spirit’s characteristics is UNDERSTANDING!!! As someone that is or should be walking in Holy Spirit…understanding from a holy perspective is vital to our faith and our ecosystemic well-being. So let’s pick apart the definition of understanding…after I write my personal definition of understanding (I kind of like the exercise of comparing and contrasting my personal non-dictionary definitions before reading the actual definitions)!!!
To me, understanding is comprehension. To comprehend we must /INTENTIONALLY/ (intentional is my word for the year) give our full attention. I don’t have much more than this for the moment of my personal definition; I got to weave my word of the year into it so that was fun!!! The wild thing is…I just read Merriam Webster's definition of Understand and Merriam Webster's definition of Understanding. I mention both definitions because the “-ing” made a difference in the initial definition and in the Bible in Isaiah 11:2 literally says, “The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—a Spirit of wisdom and understanding, a Spirit of counsel and strength, a Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.” UNDERSTAND-ING. So if you clicked on the link to the definition of understanding it is all about comprehension (which is the only word that came to my mind with understanding initially). So let’s dive a bit deeper into definitions for a moment…Merriam Webster's definition of Comprehension is interesting not only because it’s tied to understanding by stating “the capacity for understanding fully” but “the act or action of grasping with the intellect” or “knowledge gained”. Now if you haven’t noticed yet…all of these characteristics of Holy Spirit are beautifully tied together in a beautiful bow!!! I won’t delve into knowledge just yet (that’s a later blog-LOL). It’s neat to see how these are tied together though which solidifies through non-coincidence that Holy Spirit is our helper divinely sent to us from Abba and Jesus…so if we walk in Holy Spirit…we become “set apart” / aka holy (holy is not perfection for the record.). We can further our understanding of holiness by comprehending that sanctification is a process. The first example of Merriam Webster's definition of Sanctified is, “to set apart to a sacred purpose or to religious use”. When we walk in Holy Spirit…we are walking in sanctification…but we can’t do that until we understand and comprehend what it means to Abba and that comes from having a relationship with Him all because Jesus died on the cross and made that direct relationship (and understanding of that relationship) possible. The Bible clearly tells us in Proverbs 3:5-6 (remember last week’s blog about wisdom-tied together beautifully for us), “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Lean NOT on YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING. In other words, our understanding is meant to be holy, sanctified, divine, and based off of and from The Holy Trinity. Am I saying that we shouldn't seek to understand (for) others and (for) ourselves? No, this would be ineffective for our personal intentionality, communication, and ecosystemic well-being…what I am saying is…our understanding should derive from holy perspective. We still need to use our brains, our hearts, our bodies, and our spirits to intentionally understand. Even author Stephen Covey (The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is one of many of his brilliant books) beautifully put it, “Seek to understand, then to be understood.”. Just make sure you’re not leaning on your own understanding and that your understanding is founded on Jesus; the rest comes naturally if you’re walking in Holy Spirit’s understanding.
So the flipside is…when we lean into our own understanding…that opens up a crack for the enemy to attack. Going back to the 5 Stages of Attack:
Stage 1: Confusion
This may seem so evident and blunt…not understanding, comprehending or using our God given intentionality (which requires our whole ecosystem’s intentionality)...will absolutely create confusion. We live in complex times where the enemy can try to manipulate our ecosystems by confusing our thoughts, our emotions, information (especially through artificial intelligence IMO), and communication which has potential repercussions to put understanding into the world instead of what God intends for us to understand…His word…the Bible WHICH NEVER CHANGES (the world and the world’s elements change constantly and it gets confusing). This is where I love the saying, “Kingdom over culture”. In regards to the enemy trying to confuse communication, we must understand that there are 4 ways that communication occurs: writing, visually, verbally, and non-verbally. (Parenthesis Rabbit Hole: I literally had to look up the difference between non-verbal communication and visual communication because in my mind they were the same thing; Google gave me this, “Visual communication relies on sight to interpret images, symbols, and graphics, while nonverbal communication covers all communication without words, including vocal tone, touch, and spatial awareness, in addition to visual cues.” Just in case you were curious like me; I enjoy learning.) If Holy Spirit is trying to communicate with us and we aren’t listening, let alone seeking to understand Holy Spirit’s ways…this allows the enemy to confuse us. I’ve been blessed to have had communication from Holy Spirit in each of these communication types and I imagine you have too even if you don’t realize it right away. Examples of ways Holy Spirit communicates with us:
-Visual: Holy Spirit has given me visions (especially when I went through my Freedom Sessions at church!). Holy Spirit has the ability to communicate through visions and to give us visions…THIS IS BIBLICAL…NOT INSANITY (God is love so your visions should be loving)!!! 1 Corinthians 2:9-12 (CSB), “But as it is written, What no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived—God has prepared these things for those who love him. Now God has revealed these things to us by the Spirit, since the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except his spirit within him? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who comes from God, so that we may understand what has been freely given to us by God.” Freely given to us BY GOD. I don’t know who these questions are for but I was literally told to ask these thought provoking questions: Are you accepting the full gifts God is giving you? We are meant to have and be given holy visions, friends. Visual communication from Holy Spirit is healing, holy, informative, and meant to be guidance for us…He is sent to be our helper.
-Verbal: Holy Spirit has a voice…a peaceful…calm…loving…gentle…voice. It is borderline comical to me because I KNOW we serve a 3 in 1 God. I hear Holy Spirit ALL THE TIME…but I only remember hearing the actual voice of God twice in my life (the last near death experience I had and in the dream I had afterwards where I was given the name “Ever” - similar to Simon Peter). God’s voice is very distinct, powerful, mysterious, and loving. I hear Jesus' voice mainly when I read the Bible or ask myself (this is probably dating myself into my 90’s childhood), “What would Jesus do?”. Verbal communication through Holy Spirit can also come through communication with others. Have you ever opened yourself up to Holy Spirit to the point you were called to give someone a message or go and do something for someone particularly? It’s a beautiful experience that I hope and pray you open yourself up to have…that holy experience is unbelievably beautiful and adds to our life’s journey, walk in obedience, and testament to our faith.
-Non-verbal: Holy Spirit is from God and God is love. Oftentimes, I have overwhelming empathy and I know that is from Holy Spirit. The world would like to say “you’re an empath”. I don’t believe in or trust any titles The Father doesn’t give to me…but I do believe Holy Spirit can direct our feelings especially around others and I have been in situations where Holy Spirit put someone on my radar due to their non-verbal communication as well as bestowed a feeling that I should act upon helping that person or doing something kind for them. Feelings may come and go…but if you’re feeling from a holy understanding…it’s a whole different perspective YOU WILL WANT TO LIVE IN!!!
-Written: Holy Spirit tells me to open the Bible to a random page and my spirit gets fed because there’s something on that page I needed for that moment/day/season. Also, shout out to this blog…Holy Spirit literally works through me via this blog. There’s LITERALLY NO WAY I could do this week after week on my own. This is all Holy Spirit, and I am humbly a vessel.
Don’t let the enemy confuse ways that Holy Spirit communicates with us…this is vital to LISTENING to Holy Spirit!!! To comprehend and understand we must LISTEN…not just hear. I will break this down in the last paragraph of this blog. God’s word in Ephesians 4:30 (NIV) tells us, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Confusion grieves Holy Spirit.
Stage 2: Chaos
If we don’t open ourselves up to Holy Spirit…what are we opening ourselves up to? The enemy doesn’t want us having a relationship with Holy Spirit let alone walking in Holy Spirit…so he will try to do what he can to prevent that. We are called to act upon what God calls us to do and we can’t do that unless we listen to Holy Spirit with an obedient heart!!! As previously stated…chaos is a physical representation of confusion and often confusion and chaos combine together. If we are confused about our understanding of Holy Spirit…how are we going to communicate with Holy Spirit and reap what God (who is love) has in store for us? When we don’t walk in Holy Spirit…we cannot expect positive results that stem from disobedience to Abba. Acts 7:51 alerts us about repercussions/consequences of being stiff-necked with Holy Spirit and “uncircumcised” which means "spiritually impure”: “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit!” Resisting (a chaotic physical representation of confusion) Holy Spirit will always have negative ecosystemic consequences. God’s word in Ephesians 4:30 (NIV) tells us, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Chaos grieves Holy Spirit.
Stage 3: Theft
IF I could count up all the ways that Holy Spirit has impacted me…and suddenly imagine all of those moments to be robbed from me as if they never happened…I would be broken. The best times I have in my life…I am walking in Holy Spirit. I don’t always do it perfectly and at times I have been robbed of some amazing opportunities Holy Spirit gave me through visions, communication, or guidance…but I learned and I still learn (the PROCESS of sanctification). I don’t want the enemy to rob anyone of doing God’s work because we are called to do God’s work!!! We can only do God’s work by walking in Holy Spirit which means if we are not opening ourselves up to Holy Spirit, listening to Holy Spirit, and being obedient to Holy Spirit…we have potential for the enemy to rob us of doing God’s work and helping/loving others. God’s word in Ephesians 4:30 (NIV) tells us, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Theft grieves Holy Spirit.
Stage 4: Destroy
To destroy something is to take apart something…think of a building that is demolished. Matthew 12:31-32 (NIV) explains what real destruction is when one is against Holy Spirit, “And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.” There are a ZILLIONS OF WAYS TO SIN…and the one thing someone CANNOT BE FORGIVEN FOR…blasphemy against Holy Spirit. Allow me to give you another definition to bestow a fuller perspective of blasphemy, Merriam Webster's definition of Blasphemy entails, “a: the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God or to something sacred. b: something said or done that is disrespectful to God or to something sacred. c: irreverence toward something deemed important or inviolable.” I want to key in on “b”: something said or done (an act or inaction if we are disobedient) that is disrespectful to God or to something sacred. We serve a 3 in 1 God…Holy Spirit is part of God…when we disrespect Holy Spirit…when we disrespect God. When we disrespect God we open ourselves up to the enemy attack of destruction. Think about this…the inability to be forgiven is ultimate destruction. The enemy longs to DESTROY the relationship with Holy Spirit because he knows the truth of God’s power…he knows Jesus is living…he knows Holy Spirit can make us do AMAZING AND RADIANT ACTS if we are open!!! Does this mean that if we miss opportunities to be obedient that we can never be forgiven? No…God knows our heart, friends…he loves us with mercy and grace. The enemy wants destruction…God pulls us away from destruction. As I stated in last week’s blog…there’s a SOLID difference between mistakes and sin, remember RC Sproul’s quote, “Sin is not simply making bad choices or mistakes. Sin is having the desire in our hearts to do the will of the enemy of God.”? If you have the desire in your heart to do the will of the enemy of God…that will ALWAYS lead to destruction. God’s word in Ephesians 4:30 (NIV) tells us, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Destruction grieves Holy Spirit.
Stage 5: Kill
1 Thessalonians 5:19 (CSB), “Don’t stifle the Spirit.” Merriam Webster's definition of Stifle helps explain how the enemy can try to kill: a: to withhold from circulation or expression. b: to cut off (the voice, the breath, etc.). c: deter, discourage d: muffle e: Smother f: to kill by depriving of oxygen : suffocate. The definition literally says “To kill”. This seems cut and dry that God is telling us…”don’t withhold from Holy Spirit, don’t cut yourself off from Holy Spirit, don’t deter from Holy Spirit, don’t discourage Holy Spirit, don’t muffle out Holy Spirit, don’t deprive yourself of Holy Spirit!”. The enemy will try to kill your relationship with Holy Spirit by stifling it…don’t let that happen because God’s word in Ephesians 4:30 (NIV) tells us, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Killing grieves Holy Spirit.
Music of the Week:
For King and Country - Burn The Ships (You are being encouraged to step into a new day with Holy Spirit!!!)
Friends, I will leave you with these final thoughts this week:
Psalm 119:125-135 (CSB), “I am your servant; give me understanding so that I may know your decrees. It is time for the Lord to act, for they have violated your instruction. Since I love your commands more than gold, even the purest gold, I carefully follow all your precepts and hate every false way. Your decrees are wondrous; therefore I obey them. The revelation of your words brings light and gives understanding to the inexperienced. I open my mouth and pant because I long for your commands. Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your practice toward those who love your name. Make my steps steady through your promise; don’t let any sin dominate me. Redeem me from human oppression, and I will keep your precepts. Make your face shine on your servant, and teach me your statutes.”
To be taught, is to understand, comprehend, and learn. Understand this: HEARING is one of the five human senses…LISTENING is the voluntary (free willed) INTENTIONAL mental ACT of conscious effort to pay attention to, interpret, comprehend, and understand. They are not the same.
So, like the thought provoking questions that I was encouraged to ask earlier…I am going to end this blog with another thought provoking question (which I have never done before-Thank You Holy Spirit) that I pray…has you stepping into new days of a fresh season of the life God is calling you to.
”Are you seeking to listen to Holy Spirit so that understanding (a mental act) can be transformed into walking (a physical act) in holy obedience and sanctification for God’s kingdom?”
For understanding, for Holy Spirit’s guidance, for Jesus’s way, for God’s love, for grace, for mercy, for comprehension, for openness, for obedience, for communication, for no weapon prospering against us…I am…
#Satisfied
