Jesus Rebukes James and John at a Samaritan VillageBible World
9:55Luke 9:55
But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
When travelers in Samaria refused Him lodging and hospitality, dishonoring Him, His closest followers took the slight as their own. James and John wanted to call down fire from heaven to punish and destroy the offenders in revenge. Jesus turned and rebuked them, exposing that they did not know what manner of spirit was moving them. The Son of man came to save lives and preserve them, not to destroy them, seeking willing service by love rather than forcing any to receive Him. Harsh, retaliatory zeal, persecution and coercion of conscience misrepresent Him and come from Satan's spirit, while His Spirit is meek and lowly, merciful and kind even to enemies.
Setting and Rebuke
The Samaritans refused Jesus lodging and hospitality, dishonoring Him by rejecting Him. James and John took that rejection personally and wanted revenge, asking to call down fire from heaven to destroy and punish the Samaritans. Their demand to answer insult with destruction showed a harsh, retaliatory and overbearing spirit unlike Christ's. Jesus turned and rebuked them, exposing that they did not know what manner of spirit was moving them and that they acted from a spirit they did not recognize.
Christ did not force His way into Samaria nor resent its disrespect, but His love and concern remained and He went on to bless those who would receive Him. His way is not to compel belief or force people to receive Him, but to show mercy and to persuade and win by revealing love in order to seek willing service. Coercion in religion and persecution for conscience belong to a contrary spirit.
John in particular had an evil temper and a vengeful, critical, violent spirit, and his desire for revenge revealed he did not understand the spirit he was showing. He accepted Christ's correction, repented and learned from it. By witnessing Jesus' tenderness and forbearance and learning His humility and patience, John was changed and brought into harmony with Him.
Christ corrected His disciples while educating them without forcing them to change. He continued working with them as their characters developed, without abandoning them for their wrong spirit. A person's errors therefore do not by themselves justify setting that person aside, since correction can go together with continued trust, encouragement and useful work.
Saving Not Destroying
The Son of man came to save people's lives and preserve them, not to destroy them, showing mercy rather than visiting judgment and retribution upon those who refused Him hospitality. When James and John took the Samaritans' rejection personally and wanted to call down fire to punish and destroy them, they were rebuked for acting from a spirit they did not understand. That rebuke teaches followers not to answer mistreatment with resentment, retaliation, or words and actions that harm others. John accepted the correction and learned from it.
His mission does not force people to receive Him or compel belief. He seeks willing service by revealing love, persuading and winning people rather than retaliating against insult or forcing acceptance. Religious zeal therefore never justifies retaliation, and coercion in religion comes from a contrary spirit.
Even zeal for God must be tempered by meekness, humility, love and benevolence, which are essential to growth in grace and service. A harsh, retaliatory, overbearing, exalted spirit misrepresents Christ, whose mission is to save rather than destroy. Harsh censorious zeal, pride, arrogance, selfishness and faultfinding show the heart has not been made right, and an exalted overbearing spirit can lead to division. Disciples should recognize such faults and bring character into harmony with His.
Cruelty and persecution are contrary to His character and teachings. Coercion of conscience, religious violence, bigotry, disrespect, oppression, and the desire for revenge or for divine retribution against those who reject truth are forbidden, for His spirit is not vindictive or destructive but saving. Such impulses come from a spirit unlike Christ's, and persecution for conscience is of Satan's spirit.
Those who believe are precious to Christ, who identifies Himself with suffering humanity. Harm done to another person is counted as harm done to Him. His followers must therefore treat even enemies with kindness and respect rather than seeking their destruction or revenge.
What Manner of Spirit
To ask what manner of spirit is to ask what kind of spirit a person displays, and that spirit is revealed by conduct and can be recognized, even by children so they are not left in darkness. Trying to pray down God's workers, working to make division between bands of believers, sending for and scattering broadcast a wicked and vile paper, and leaving fellowship abruptly without speaking show a wrong spirit, as does failure to recognize the Spirit of God in those distrusted when expected harmony is replaced by suspicion and watchfulness. A person's conduct can reveal the spirit guiding them, as walking in God's light would have enabled those addressed to recognize what spirit they had shown at the General Conference. What manner of spirit people are of is exposed by how they act when opposed or tried, for trials reveal defects of character. A fever of indignant excitement, indignation and malignity when unable to prevail, passionate and discourteous assault, and underhanded deceptive opposition show a wrong spirit, while calm, firm self-possession, tranquility and patient continuance in doing good and showing sympathy, refusing to revile when reviled and never overstepping decorum, show the right spirit, and calmness even when assailed led some trackers to believe. A harsh, condemnatory spirit is not the spirit Jesus approves, and even when seriously wronged love for the erring is to be cherished and a harsh, defiant spirit not allowed to control, because Jesus does not dwell where that spirit abides.
Christ's Spirit is meek and lowly, and the test is whether one's spirit is in harmony with and controlled by His Spirit, for without His Spirit a person is none of His, while a stubborn, set, unsanctified, independent will that moves blindly in its own spirit and walks in the sparks of its own kindling shows a spirit not in harmony with God. Every professed follower, especially those in positions of influence claiming to be co-workers with Christ, is to examine whether his spirit is like Christ's, which is tender and pitiful toward His creatures, having died for men while yet sinners and standing ready to receive every wanderer who will return. The wrong spirit looks upon the struggling soul, the straying sheep, and the prodigal making his very first struggles against temptation with indifference and contempt and with hard and ungracious thoughts, like the Pharisee thanking God he is not as other men and like the elder brother standing by stubborn, self-willed and complaining. The right spirit rescues the human race, spends time and strength seeking to win back the straying ones and housing the lambs safely in the fold of God, bringing rejoicing in the heavenly courts, following the heavenly Father who puts His arm about the returning erring child, covers his rags, and places the ring upon his finger as a token of royalty. God's people are to show the same beneficent spirit as He who gives dew, clouds, showers, and sunshine to both the just and the unjust, and if God treated people with the severity that some show toward others, probation would have ended and they would be in despair. A spirit without mercy and pity, harsh, unrelenting, and unforgiving, is unlike Jesus, and calls for examining what manner of spirit one has and forgiving everyone his trespasses.
Knowing what spirit one is of requires a transformed nature and the presence of the Holy Spirit, for a person can fail to recognize the spirit directing him. Christ rebuked His disciples for failing to recognize the spirit guiding them, calling for examining whether one has Christ's meek and lowly spirit. Being deluded by the enemy in regard to one's own talents means not knowing what manner of spirit one is of, a condition that requires conversion and remaining transformed in character.
People often act from a guiding spirit they do not recognize, and pride and prejudice can control the natural heart while people fail to recognize them until circumstances test the motives behind their actions, leading them to act against light and truth. A person going forward in human sufficiency rather than close dependence on Christ may be inspired by the enemy and fail to recognize the spirit influencing and motivating him, and working Christ's works requires close relation to Christ and cooperation with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Men in positions of trust who are unconsecrated and pursue their own unrighteous course do not know what manner of spirit they are of, and their influence and example can harm the work of God. A professed worker for God can act without knowing what manner of spirit he is of, which means doing a work in a wrong spirit that he will not be proud to own in the judgment.
Strong feelings and professions of holiness do not prove that an influence comes from the Holy Spirit, for people can be under an unclean, unholy spirit foreign to the Spirit of God while believing and professing it to be the Holy Ghost. That spirit moves strongly upon the feelings, and those feelings are cherished as sacred, even while professing much of the Holy Ghost and feeling its influence and receiving great blessings through the prayers and apparent faith of seemingly good and professedly holy men whose lives are corrupt and vile and in open violation of the commandments of God. Trusting feeling and the influence or power brought to bear on feeling in this way throws many off balance, stumbles many an honest soul, and makes shipwreck of faith, though very many have been truly converted through the influence of such persons. Even after separation from corrupt, vile leaders who professed much of the Holy Ghost, the last of that spirit can linger and keep its influence until it is realized, admitted, and shaken off.
Such deception must be realized, admitted, repented of and shaken off, for recognizing the danger of turning from God, denying the truth, and speaking in a way that reflects Satan's spirit rather than Christ's requires repentance and conversion, with surrender to God to become meek and lowly. God gives His Spirit through Jesus Christ so people can discern whether Satan or Christ is guiding them, for those who ally with Satan against heaven lack spiritual sight and discernment and their words can betray sacred trusts. A person may fail to recognize the spirit influencing the mind, which may be contrary to the spirit of heaven and God, calling for discerning and breaking away from influences that are not divine.
Heart Speech and Temper
Sharp, critical, bitter, passionate and evil-speaking words prove control by an evil spirit and not by the Spirit of Jesus, and even if what is said were true such speaking is never justified. It brings darkness to the speaker and to all who receive that spirit, and those who indulge it place themselves ignorantly on Satan's side to annoy their brethren. Satan exults beside them while the Lord's Watcher witnesses words that will shame them before the heavenly universe, for truth and righteousness have no part in that spirit and the Spirit of God will not abide with it. No one can be yoked with Christ while joined to evil agencies to discourage faithful servants, so it must be repented of, converted from and cast out that the soul purchased with His own blood may be healed. People may speak harshly without recognizing the spirit they display, and their unkind sarcastic words are witnessed and recorded in heaven just as writing appeared on the wall at Belshazzar's feast.
A harsh, critical, wounding manner does not reflect the spirit of Christ, and the rebuke calls for self-examination unto a gentle courteous spirit in both word and conduct even in trying circumstances. A harsh condemnatory spirit is not what Jesus approves, for trials reveal what spirit people have and expose defects of character. Even when seriously wronged they are to cherish love for those who err and not let a harsh defiant spirit control them, because Jesus does not dwell where that spirit abides.
Faultfinding belongs to a character that criticizes and misrepresents others because it does not recognize the spirit guiding it, and without vital connection with Jesus Christ impressions and conduct cannot be corrected. Those who condemn harshly, magnify small faults and search for every wrong word or act do not understand the spirit they show, for such faultfinding is not endorsed by God. It puts people in the place of judges presuming to lift up or cast down, and God will expose the wickedness of this course through trial. The self-confident overbearing faultfinder whose religious experience is unreliable shows need of thorough conversion, distrust of self and trust in God's wisdom, for the critic does not know what manner of spirit he is of.
Malice is contrary to Christ's spirit, and once cherished it spreads through a church and corrupts its members, revealing by conduct a spirit unlike the one Christ approves. A harsh, unrelenting, unforgiving temper proves a soul never submitted to God and wholly unlike Jesus, betraying no mercy or pity, magnifying annoyances in home life, and becoming resentful, harsh and dictatorial toward those counted at fault. Though active in meeting and missionary work such a one is a stumbling-block to sinners, dishonors Christ, bruises Him and puts Him to open shame, and is not a child of God but a child of the wicked one. These poor dark deceived souls are called to understand the love of God, to remember continual dependence on His beneficence, mercy and forgiveness, to criticize themselves closely by asking what manner of spirit they are of, and realizing the greatness and boundlessness of His love to become partakers of the divine nature by manifesting the same tender spirit of compassionate forbearance, mercy and love and forgiving everyone his trespasses.
Ignorance of the controlling spirit shows itself in exaltation and self-esteem, in taking a position God never assigned that cannot be rightly filled to His glory, in perverted judgment, and in exerting a deathly instead of saving influence that injures others. Speaking harsh, disrespectful, conceited words to a faithful elder brother when nothing called for them is the fruit of a conceited mind, self-esteem and high ideas of own wisdom, and lack of the real humbleness of mind essential for all in God's service. It means depending on human wisdom and linking with men instead of hanging the helpless soul on God as wisdom, sanctification and righteousness and making God and God alone Guide and Counsellor. It deserves rebuke and must not be encouraged or excused, for such assuming of attitude and spirit over one part of the great whole is not right. The remedy is to hide in the cleft of the Rock so mind, thoughts and words are renewed and the heart becomes meek, lowly and contrite instead of puffed up unto vanity, learning of Christ to be meek and lowly of heart.
A person may fail to recognize the guiding spirit, as when extreme self-sufficient judgment put faith in danger and showed Francisco did not know what manner of spirit he was of. The need is to subdue and govern the spirit and possess true humility, or remain in darkness, as was urged upon Joseph Kellogg. Sympathy with a harsh wrong course showed Calista had not realized what spirit she was of, while conversion would make the meek and lowly spirit of Jesus evident in words, life and actions. Loud combative speech, selfish plans and alliances for personal gain reveal an un-Christlike spirit rather than the Spirit of Christ, and those entrusted with sacred work must serve with humility, prayer, kindness and unselfishness.
What manner of spirit people are of is exposed by how they act when opposed. A fever of indignant excitement, indignation and malignity when unable to prevail, passionate and discourteous assault, and underhanded deceptive opposition show a wrong spirit. Calm firm self-possession, tranquility and patient continuance in doing good and showing sympathy, refusing to revile when reviled and never overstepping decorum, show the right spirit. Christ embodied truth and could afford to be calm while the storm of opposition beat about Him, and His calmness even when assailed led some of those tracking Him to believe.
Criticism, opposition and harsh dictatorial behavior that harms the work and influences students badly is not the spirit of Christ and is not acceptable to God. Those who work with others should be kind and courteous, and the work should be guided by the Spirit of Christ and by counsel together. The rebuke calls for change of attitude and seeking a pure gentle Christlike spirit rather than making trouble through a wrong spirit. Faithful correction and warning about danger when wrongdoers do not recognize their spirit is not faultfinding or hatred but can be love and obedience to God, while love is cultivated and truth still spoken faithfully.
Family conflict and loss of self-control can leave a man without Christ's meekness, lowliness, pity and compassion. That harsh spirit can shape decisions and turn them away from mercy and justice. Those in positions of influence are warned not to act from hardness of heart but to show Christlike compassion.
Leadership Church and Society
Those who seek to rule fellow workers must examine what kind of spirit they are showing, for they may act from a spirit they do not recognize and unlike Christ's own. They should humble themselves before God and seek Him through fasting and prayer rather than exercise power over others. They must learn Christ's humble, noncontrolling way, since true religion leads people to control themselves, not one another.
Love forbids oppression, and those who serve Christ must reject bigotry, denunciation, and judgmental treatment of others, cultivating love instead. Jesus rebuked the desire to call down fire on those who had not honored Him because it revealed a spirit unlike what His followers must cultivate. His spirit is not vindictive, so servants of Christ must not oppress or exclude others, condemn their character, or presume to limit the grace through which God works. Religious bigotry, disrespect, oppression, persecution, and desire for revenge or divine retribution against those who reject truth are forbidden, for harm done to another is counted as harm done to Christ, who must be honored by respect rather than destruction of others.
Uniting with unbelievers in politics, displaying worldly political divisions, and bringing matters belonging to God's distinct people before the world creates strife, weakens hold on God, dims spiritual discernment, and shows profession not matched by love and loyalty to Him. Those who become self-confidently involved in political disputes over currency and policies that oppress the poor fail to know the spirit guiding them. They should not lend voice or influence to such causes where the Lord has given no work, but look to heavenly guidance, for the spirit behind such contests displays the natural attributes of unregenerate hearts and contradicts profession of serving God.
Men in responsible positions in God's institutions who make no difference between those who serve God and those who serve Him not do not know what spirit animates them. When they mingle with the spirit of worldlings, receive complaints from unbelievers as verity and truth, encourage that complaining spirit against the people of God, and suffer accusers of God's children to plan against His chosen ones, their eyes are not single to the glory of God and their whole body is full of darkness. By belittling and humiliating those whom the Lord loves and strengthening the hands of the wicked doing evil, they evidence they are working on the enemy's side. They do not have Christ planning with them.
Brethren are expected to recognize the Spirit of God in one another and be united in feeling and purpose, with a person's spirit revealed by how they act. Instead distrust, suspicious watching, and failure of harmony shows that recognition and unity are absent. A Pharisaic spirit blinds those who hold it and confuses their judgment, so leaders resist God's work and oppose others while blind to their own wrong spirit. As when priests and rulers arraigned the Redeemer as a disturber of the people and wanted Him gone because He caused perplexity and dissension, so when light is sent to test people it reveals what spirit they are of, and they must not deceive themselves or permit suspicion and prejudice to take hold.
Self-confident zeal not in harmony with Christ must be rebuked, with care lest influence be lent to harmful causes while believing it serves what is right. Earnest zeal does not prove guidance by the Holy Spirit, for spreading suspicion and false reports, weakening faithful workers, and causing them suffering shows ignorance of one's guiding spirit and unsound influence. Acting from feelings, criticism, self-esteem, and ambition while claiming special light or authority to condemn the church does not make that influence sound or healthful.
Men who treat sacred work lightly, joke and flirt while hearing solemn truths, and remain jovial, foolish, and trifling with youth show head knowledge without heart sanctification. Their hearts have not been sanctified by what they know, and such knowledge does not qualify them to lead others to God or to Christ. They must first receive the Spirit and experience the truth with its life-giving power themselves.
A spirit of opposition, criticism, and resistance to Christ's work is not the Spirit of God but opposed to the Spirit of Christ, truth, and righteousness, with words and actions revealing the wrong moving power unrecognized by those controlled by it. Persisting in wrongdoing and rejecting God's words blinds to the guiding spirit, refusing the words that give eternal life and the testimony of God's servants. Rejecting and misapplying reproof and railing against testimonies given by the Lord reveals a wrong spirit and despises the Lord who gave them, leaving one unable to receive God's healing and restoring power because it is not valued.
Rejecting God's Word and law for human inventions leaves the deceived and blind not knowing what spirit they are of or where their course will lead, as human will and passion bring oppression and suffering. Demanding a miracle as proof of God's presence despite witnessing conversion of hearts, the greatest miracle, likewise shows spiritual blindness with hardened hearts unimpressed by that evidence. Murmuring and complaining because ministering labor is given to those ignorant of the faith instead of self is childish unconverted profession, cherishing envy, jealousy, evil surmisings and criticism while God hears the murmurs. Instead there should be thankfulness and courage because by His Holy Spirit the Lord moves souls to take their stand for truth, valuing souls, uniting in utmost labor to bring friends and neighbors to hear, and receiving new hearts rather than grieving God's Spirit, opposing the mind of His Spirit, and contending against Omnipotence.
Personal Warnings and Calls
A person may profess conversion and yet not know what spirit is guiding him, being under another's influence and having lost the true message from the heart, the power of the third angel's message and the power of the Sabbath, with the Holy Spirit not with him, so that conversion must be repeated and nature transformed before he can bear the message. The same blindness appears when one ensnared by another's influence embodies that mind and spirit and remains unaware of what spirit he is of despite warning of the danger. One who has departed from the faith and given heed to seducing spirits does not know what manner of spirit he is of, weaving destructive sentiments into belief while still teaching some theories of truth, and being naturally coarse, denunciatory and rough because Satan is working with him, so no labor is to be done in any line, no opportunity to speak in the churches is to be given, and the safe course is to let alone, keep to the affirmative and engage in no controversy, for harsh words accomplish no good.
A person can be controlled by a wrong, satanic spirit without knowing it, as when spreading falsehood and misrepresentation about writings helped with, claiming superior talent made the published articles and books what they were and that they were picked from other books, and by that influence becoming an adversary whose reports turn ministers and a whole church against belief in visions and mission. A man reproved for wrong habits may not discern what spirit moves him, feeling unjustly dealt with by those placed to guard morals and talking of leaving to work elsewhere, when reproof is painful duty to keep the institution a place where God's honor dwells and where the moral and religious principles of youth are strengthened rather than a place where by precept and example youth are educated in beer and wine drinking and tobacco use. That lack of discernment also appears in choosing society that gives no moral strength and feeling no danger in it, in indulging perverted appetite that injures health despite plain warning to reform before too late, and in failing to fear God and place the will on the Lord's side as Daniel did in the courts of Babylon to resist temptation, honor God and receive wisdom and understanding. People can become so spiritually confused by flattering and misleading ideas that they do not recognize the spirit shaping thoughts and conduct, losing ability to view Christ and holiness soberly and with sanctified mind, as with young women so influenced.
One who is wrong and does not discern his own spirit has his case taken in hand and revealed by God, and unless he soon becomes as a little child and breaks in pieces before God he will be left to himself. Professed sanctification does not prove union with God, for a scattering influence, opposition to God's people and failure to lead souls into the saving truths of Scripture show one does not know what spirit he is of. A person may fail to recognize the spirit guiding her, as when not understanding the spirit shown in influencing church members against the office and work of God. Workers in God's cause can be controlled by a wrong spirit without knowing it, even after feeling the Holy Spirit in testimony borne and confessing its power, when they turn back and grow dissatisfied over inability to make large wages on first buildings, yield to the tempter until loaded with evil surmising, brush away evidence as a cobweb, open lips to utter falsehoods as the Jews did in Christ's day, give loose rein to impulsive speech and carry false report far and near even to another continent.
One meaning to be a Christian can still be unaware of the controlling spirit, talking much in an exalted elevated strain that gives no benefit to others, holding hard bitter feelings against a fellow believer, being too much exalted, supposing feelings and impressions originating in the own brain are from the Lord, imagining much that God has nothing to do with, and thinking to be especially taught of God while under fanatical deception. A man can take a position led by a wrong spirit without knowing what spirit leads him, and taking such a position divorces him from privilege of using the house of worship, particularly when underhand efforts are made to get possession of it. Pride and worldly desires may govern conduct that harms others and brings reproach on God's cause while one is deceived about the guiding spirit and fails to recognize what kind of spirit is possessed, and recognizing the wrong and feeling humbled at times is not enough without thorough reformation. A person can act under a spirit opposed to God without recognizing it, and knowing the spirit one is of requires taking a clear stand with God's teachings rather than strengthening those under God's frown or unsettling others' faith.
Carriers of the message of truth must examine what kind of spirit they show, to be faithful and represent the truth as it is in Jesus rather than letting own traits shape it. A wrong unrecognized spirit speaks in erroneous propositions and in opposition to light and truth and sows seed that must reap its harvest, while sanctified knowledge would lead in different lines, yet the Lord still invites leaving corrupting influences of the world to come over to His side. Failure to recognize the spirit shown can also concern the spirit attributed to another, which honest people who heard and saw for themselves could judge despite malicious fabrications intended to discredit and undermine the truth. A man who claims to be infallible does not discern the spirit motivating him, and for that reason must never be placed in office and can never be trusted with responsibility of dealing with human minds. Not knowing what manner of spirit one is of means being deluded about own talents and being under satanic influence in self-exaltation unaware of what has taken hold, a condition requiring conversion and remaining transformed in character.
When travelers in Samaria refused Him lodging and hospitality, dishonoring Him, His closest followers took the slight as their own. James and John wanted to call down fire from heaven to punish and destroy the offenders in revenge. Jesus turned and rebuked them, exposing that they did not know what manner of spirit was moving them. The Son of man came to save lives and preserve them, not to destroy them, seeking willing service by love rather than forcing any to receive Him. Harsh, retaliatory zeal, persecution and coercion of conscience misrepresent Him and come from Satan's spirit, while His Spirit is meek and lowly, merciful and kind even to enemies.
Setting and Rebuke
The Samaritans refused Jesus lodging and hospitality, dishonoring Him by rejecting Him. James and John took that rejection personally and wanted revenge, asking to call down fire from heaven to destroy and punish the Samaritans. Their demand to answer insult with destruction showed a harsh, retaliatory and overbearing spirit unlike Christ's. Jesus turned and rebuked them, exposing that they did not know what manner of spirit was moving them and that they acted from a spirit they did not recognize.
Christ did not force His way into Samaria nor resent its disrespect, but His love and concern remained and He went on to bless those who would receive Him. His way is not to compel belief or force people to receive Him, but to show mercy and to persuade and win by revealing love in order to seek willing service. Coercion in religion and persecution for conscience belong to a contrary spirit.
John in particular had an evil temper and a vengeful, critical, violent spirit, and his desire for revenge revealed he did not understand the spirit he was showing. He accepted Christ's correction, repented and learned from it. By witnessing Jesus' tenderness and forbearance and learning His humility and patience, John was changed and brought into harmony with Him.
Christ corrected His disciples while educating them without forcing them to change. He continued working with them as their characters developed, without abandoning them for their wrong spirit. A person's errors therefore do not by themselves justify setting that person aside, since correction can go together with continued trust, encouragement and useful work.
Saving Not Destroying
The Son of man came to save people's lives and preserve them, not to destroy them, showing mercy rather than visiting judgment and retribution upon those who refused Him hospitality. When James and John took the Samaritans' rejection personally and wanted to call down fire to punish and destroy them, they were rebuked for acting from a spirit they did not understand. That rebuke teaches followers not to answer mistreatment with resentment, retaliation, or words and actions that harm others. John accepted the correction and learned from it.
His mission does not force people to receive Him or compel belief. He seeks willing service by revealing love, persuading and winning people rather than retaliating against insult or forcing acceptance. Religious zeal therefore never justifies retaliation, and coercion in religion comes from a contrary spirit.
Even zeal for God must be tempered by meekness, humility, love and benevolence, which are essential to growth in grace and service. A harsh, retaliatory, overbearing, exalted spirit misrepresents Christ, whose mission is to save rather than destroy. Harsh censorious zeal, pride, arrogance, selfishness and faultfinding show the heart has not been made right, and an exalted overbearing spirit can lead to division. Disciples should recognize such faults and bring character into harmony with His.
Cruelty and persecution are contrary to His character and teachings. Coercion of conscience, religious violence, bigotry, disrespect, oppression, and the desire for revenge or for divine retribution against those who reject truth are forbidden, for His spirit is not vindictive or destructive but saving. Such impulses come from a spirit unlike Christ's, and persecution for conscience is of Satan's spirit.
Those who believe are precious to Christ, who identifies Himself with suffering humanity. Harm done to another person is counted as harm done to Him. His followers must therefore treat even enemies with kindness and respect rather than seeking their destruction or revenge.
What Manner of Spirit
To ask what manner of spirit is to ask what kind of spirit a person displays, and that spirit is revealed by conduct and can be recognized, even by children so they are not left in darkness. Trying to pray down God's workers, working to make division between bands of believers, sending for and scattering broadcast a wicked and vile paper, and leaving fellowship abruptly without speaking show a wrong spirit, as does failure to recognize the Spirit of God in those distrusted when expected harmony is replaced by suspicion and watchfulness. A person's conduct can reveal the spirit guiding them, as walking in God's light would have enabled those addressed to recognize what spirit they had shown at the General Conference. What manner of spirit people are of is exposed by how they act when opposed or tried, for trials reveal defects of character. A fever of indignant excitement, indignation and malignity when unable to prevail, passionate and discourteous assault, and underhanded deceptive opposition show a wrong spirit, while calm, firm self-possession, tranquility and patient continuance in doing good and showing sympathy, refusing to revile when reviled and never overstepping decorum, show the right spirit, and calmness even when assailed led some trackers to believe. A harsh, condemnatory spirit is not the spirit Jesus approves, and even when seriously wronged love for the erring is to be cherished and a harsh, defiant spirit not allowed to control, because Jesus does not dwell where that spirit abides.
Christ's Spirit is meek and lowly, and the test is whether one's spirit is in harmony with and controlled by His Spirit, for without His Spirit a person is none of His, while a stubborn, set, unsanctified, independent will that moves blindly in its own spirit and walks in the sparks of its own kindling shows a spirit not in harmony with God. Every professed follower, especially those in positions of influence claiming to be co-workers with Christ, is to examine whether his spirit is like Christ's, which is tender and pitiful toward His creatures, having died for men while yet sinners and standing ready to receive every wanderer who will return. The wrong spirit looks upon the struggling soul, the straying sheep, and the prodigal making his very first struggles against temptation with indifference and contempt and with hard and ungracious thoughts, like the Pharisee thanking God he is not as other men and like the elder brother standing by stubborn, self-willed and complaining. The right spirit rescues the human race, spends time and strength seeking to win back the straying ones and housing the lambs safely in the fold of God, bringing rejoicing in the heavenly courts, following the heavenly Father who puts His arm about the returning erring child, covers his rags, and places the ring upon his finger as a token of royalty. God's people are to show the same beneficent spirit as He who gives dew, clouds, showers, and sunshine to both the just and the unjust, and if God treated people with the severity that some show toward others, probation would have ended and they would be in despair. A spirit without mercy and pity, harsh, unrelenting, and unforgiving, is unlike Jesus, and calls for examining what manner of spirit one has and forgiving everyone his trespasses.
Knowing what spirit one is of requires a transformed nature and the presence of the Holy Spirit, for a person can fail to recognize the spirit directing him. Christ rebuked His disciples for failing to recognize the spirit guiding them, calling for examining whether one has Christ's meek and lowly spirit. Being deluded by the enemy in regard to one's own talents means not knowing what manner of spirit one is of, a condition that requires conversion and remaining transformed in character.
People often act from a guiding spirit they do not recognize, and pride and prejudice can control the natural heart while people fail to recognize them until circumstances test the motives behind their actions, leading them to act against light and truth. A person going forward in human sufficiency rather than close dependence on Christ may be inspired by the enemy and fail to recognize the spirit influencing and motivating him, and working Christ's works requires close relation to Christ and cooperation with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Men in positions of trust who are unconsecrated and pursue their own unrighteous course do not know what manner of spirit they are of, and their influence and example can harm the work of God. A professed worker for God can act without knowing what manner of spirit he is of, which means doing a work in a wrong spirit that he will not be proud to own in the judgment.
Strong feelings and professions of holiness do not prove that an influence comes from the Holy Spirit, for people can be under an unclean, unholy spirit foreign to the Spirit of God while believing and professing it to be the Holy Ghost. That spirit moves strongly upon the feelings, and those feelings are cherished as sacred, even while professing much of the Holy Ghost and feeling its influence and receiving great blessings through the prayers and apparent faith of seemingly good and professedly holy men whose lives are corrupt and vile and in open violation of the commandments of God. Trusting feeling and the influence or power brought to bear on feeling in this way throws many off balance, stumbles many an honest soul, and makes shipwreck of faith, though very many have been truly converted through the influence of such persons. Even after separation from corrupt, vile leaders who professed much of the Holy Ghost, the last of that spirit can linger and keep its influence until it is realized, admitted, and shaken off.
Such deception must be realized, admitted, repented of and shaken off, for recognizing the danger of turning from God, denying the truth, and speaking in a way that reflects Satan's spirit rather than Christ's requires repentance and conversion, with surrender to God to become meek and lowly. God gives His Spirit through Jesus Christ so people can discern whether Satan or Christ is guiding them, for those who ally with Satan against heaven lack spiritual sight and discernment and their words can betray sacred trusts. A person may fail to recognize the spirit influencing the mind, which may be contrary to the spirit of heaven and God, calling for discerning and breaking away from influences that are not divine.
Heart Speech and Temper
Sharp, critical, bitter, passionate and evil-speaking words prove control by an evil spirit and not by the Spirit of Jesus, and even if what is said were true such speaking is never justified. It brings darkness to the speaker and to all who receive that spirit, and those who indulge it place themselves ignorantly on Satan's side to annoy their brethren. Satan exults beside them while the Lord's Watcher witnesses words that will shame them before the heavenly universe, for truth and righteousness have no part in that spirit and the Spirit of God will not abide with it. No one can be yoked with Christ while joined to evil agencies to discourage faithful servants, so it must be repented of, converted from and cast out that the soul purchased with His own blood may be healed. People may speak harshly without recognizing the spirit they display, and their unkind sarcastic words are witnessed and recorded in heaven just as writing appeared on the wall at Belshazzar's feast.
A harsh, critical, wounding manner does not reflect the spirit of Christ, and the rebuke calls for self-examination unto a gentle courteous spirit in both word and conduct even in trying circumstances. A harsh condemnatory spirit is not what Jesus approves, for trials reveal what spirit people have and expose defects of character. Even when seriously wronged they are to cherish love for those who err and not let a harsh defiant spirit control them, because Jesus does not dwell where that spirit abides.
Faultfinding belongs to a character that criticizes and misrepresents others because it does not recognize the spirit guiding it, and without vital connection with Jesus Christ impressions and conduct cannot be corrected. Those who condemn harshly, magnify small faults and search for every wrong word or act do not understand the spirit they show, for such faultfinding is not endorsed by God. It puts people in the place of judges presuming to lift up or cast down, and God will expose the wickedness of this course through trial. The self-confident overbearing faultfinder whose religious experience is unreliable shows need of thorough conversion, distrust of self and trust in God's wisdom, for the critic does not know what manner of spirit he is of.
Malice is contrary to Christ's spirit, and once cherished it spreads through a church and corrupts its members, revealing by conduct a spirit unlike the one Christ approves. A harsh, unrelenting, unforgiving temper proves a soul never submitted to God and wholly unlike Jesus, betraying no mercy or pity, magnifying annoyances in home life, and becoming resentful, harsh and dictatorial toward those counted at fault. Though active in meeting and missionary work such a one is a stumbling-block to sinners, dishonors Christ, bruises Him and puts Him to open shame, and is not a child of God but a child of the wicked one. These poor dark deceived souls are called to understand the love of God, to remember continual dependence on His beneficence, mercy and forgiveness, to criticize themselves closely by asking what manner of spirit they are of, and realizing the greatness and boundlessness of His love to become partakers of the divine nature by manifesting the same tender spirit of compassionate forbearance, mercy and love and forgiving everyone his trespasses.
Ignorance of the controlling spirit shows itself in exaltation and self-esteem, in taking a position God never assigned that cannot be rightly filled to His glory, in perverted judgment, and in exerting a deathly instead of saving influence that injures others. Speaking harsh, disrespectful, conceited words to a faithful elder brother when nothing called for them is the fruit of a conceited mind, self-esteem and high ideas of own wisdom, and lack of the real humbleness of mind essential for all in God's service. It means depending on human wisdom and linking with men instead of hanging the helpless soul on God as wisdom, sanctification and righteousness and making God and God alone Guide and Counsellor. It deserves rebuke and must not be encouraged or excused, for such assuming of attitude and spirit over one part of the great whole is not right. The remedy is to hide in the cleft of the Rock so mind, thoughts and words are renewed and the heart becomes meek, lowly and contrite instead of puffed up unto vanity, learning of Christ to be meek and lowly of heart.
A person may fail to recognize the guiding spirit, as when extreme self-sufficient judgment put faith in danger and showed Francisco did not know what manner of spirit he was of. The need is to subdue and govern the spirit and possess true humility, or remain in darkness, as was urged upon Joseph Kellogg. Sympathy with a harsh wrong course showed Calista had not realized what spirit she was of, while conversion would make the meek and lowly spirit of Jesus evident in words, life and actions. Loud combative speech, selfish plans and alliances for personal gain reveal an un-Christlike spirit rather than the Spirit of Christ, and those entrusted with sacred work must serve with humility, prayer, kindness and unselfishness.
What manner of spirit people are of is exposed by how they act when opposed. A fever of indignant excitement, indignation and malignity when unable to prevail, passionate and discourteous assault, and underhanded deceptive opposition show a wrong spirit. Calm firm self-possession, tranquility and patient continuance in doing good and showing sympathy, refusing to revile when reviled and never overstepping decorum, show the right spirit. Christ embodied truth and could afford to be calm while the storm of opposition beat about Him, and His calmness even when assailed led some of those tracking Him to believe.
Criticism, opposition and harsh dictatorial behavior that harms the work and influences students badly is not the spirit of Christ and is not acceptable to God. Those who work with others should be kind and courteous, and the work should be guided by the Spirit of Christ and by counsel together. The rebuke calls for change of attitude and seeking a pure gentle Christlike spirit rather than making trouble through a wrong spirit. Faithful correction and warning about danger when wrongdoers do not recognize their spirit is not faultfinding or hatred but can be love and obedience to God, while love is cultivated and truth still spoken faithfully.
Family conflict and loss of self-control can leave a man without Christ's meekness, lowliness, pity and compassion. That harsh spirit can shape decisions and turn them away from mercy and justice. Those in positions of influence are warned not to act from hardness of heart but to show Christlike compassion.
Leadership Church and Society
Those who seek to rule fellow workers must examine what kind of spirit they are showing, for they may act from a spirit they do not recognize and unlike Christ's own. They should humble themselves before God and seek Him through fasting and prayer rather than exercise power over others. They must learn Christ's humble, noncontrolling way, since true religion leads people to control themselves, not one another.
Love forbids oppression, and those who serve Christ must reject bigotry, denunciation, and judgmental treatment of others, cultivating love instead. Jesus rebuked the desire to call down fire on those who had not honored Him because it revealed a spirit unlike what His followers must cultivate. His spirit is not vindictive, so servants of Christ must not oppress or exclude others, condemn their character, or presume to limit the grace through which God works. Religious bigotry, disrespect, oppression, persecution, and desire for revenge or divine retribution against those who reject truth are forbidden, for harm done to another is counted as harm done to Christ, who must be honored by respect rather than destruction of others.
Uniting with unbelievers in politics, displaying worldly political divisions, and bringing matters belonging to God's distinct people before the world creates strife, weakens hold on God, dims spiritual discernment, and shows profession not matched by love and loyalty to Him. Those who become self-confidently involved in political disputes over currency and policies that oppress the poor fail to know the spirit guiding them. They should not lend voice or influence to such causes where the Lord has given no work, but look to heavenly guidance, for the spirit behind such contests displays the natural attributes of unregenerate hearts and contradicts profession of serving God.
Men in responsible positions in God's institutions who make no difference between those who serve God and those who serve Him not do not know what spirit animates them. When they mingle with the spirit of worldlings, receive complaints from unbelievers as verity and truth, encourage that complaining spirit against the people of God, and suffer accusers of God's children to plan against His chosen ones, their eyes are not single to the glory of God and their whole body is full of darkness. By belittling and humiliating those whom the Lord loves and strengthening the hands of the wicked doing evil, they evidence they are working on the enemy's side. They do not have Christ planning with them.
Brethren are expected to recognize the Spirit of God in one another and be united in feeling and purpose, with a person's spirit revealed by how they act. Instead distrust, suspicious watching, and failure of harmony shows that recognition and unity are absent. A Pharisaic spirit blinds those who hold it and confuses their judgment, so leaders resist God's work and oppose others while blind to their own wrong spirit. As when priests and rulers arraigned the Redeemer as a disturber of the people and wanted Him gone because He caused perplexity and dissension, so when light is sent to test people it reveals what spirit they are of, and they must not deceive themselves or permit suspicion and prejudice to take hold.
Self-confident zeal not in harmony with Christ must be rebuked, with care lest influence be lent to harmful causes while believing it serves what is right. Earnest zeal does not prove guidance by the Holy Spirit, for spreading suspicion and false reports, weakening faithful workers, and causing them suffering shows ignorance of one's guiding spirit and unsound influence. Acting from feelings, criticism, self-esteem, and ambition while claiming special light or authority to condemn the church does not make that influence sound or healthful.
Men who treat sacred work lightly, joke and flirt while hearing solemn truths, and remain jovial, foolish, and trifling with youth show head knowledge without heart sanctification. Their hearts have not been sanctified by what they know, and such knowledge does not qualify them to lead others to God or to Christ. They must first receive the Spirit and experience the truth with its life-giving power themselves.
A spirit of opposition, criticism, and resistance to Christ's work is not the Spirit of God but opposed to the Spirit of Christ, truth, and righteousness, with words and actions revealing the wrong moving power unrecognized by those controlled by it. Persisting in wrongdoing and rejecting God's words blinds to the guiding spirit, refusing the words that give eternal life and the testimony of God's servants. Rejecting and misapplying reproof and railing against testimonies given by the Lord reveals a wrong spirit and despises the Lord who gave them, leaving one unable to receive God's healing and restoring power because it is not valued.
Rejecting God's Word and law for human inventions leaves the deceived and blind not knowing what spirit they are of or where their course will lead, as human will and passion bring oppression and suffering. Demanding a miracle as proof of God's presence despite witnessing conversion of hearts, the greatest miracle, likewise shows spiritual blindness with hardened hearts unimpressed by that evidence. Murmuring and complaining because ministering labor is given to those ignorant of the faith instead of self is childish unconverted profession, cherishing envy, jealousy, evil surmisings and criticism while God hears the murmurs. Instead there should be thankfulness and courage because by His Holy Spirit the Lord moves souls to take their stand for truth, valuing souls, uniting in utmost labor to bring friends and neighbors to hear, and receiving new hearts rather than grieving God's Spirit, opposing the mind of His Spirit, and contending against Omnipotence.
Personal Warnings and Calls
A person may profess conversion and yet not know what spirit is guiding him, being under another's influence and having lost the true message from the heart, the power of the third angel's message and the power of the Sabbath, with the Holy Spirit not with him, so that conversion must be repeated and nature transformed before he can bear the message. The same blindness appears when one ensnared by another's influence embodies that mind and spirit and remains unaware of what spirit he is of despite warning of the danger. One who has departed from the faith and given heed to seducing spirits does not know what manner of spirit he is of, weaving destructive sentiments into belief while still teaching some theories of truth, and being naturally coarse, denunciatory and rough because Satan is working with him, so no labor is to be done in any line, no opportunity to speak in the churches is to be given, and the safe course is to let alone, keep to the affirmative and engage in no controversy, for harsh words accomplish no good.
A person can be controlled by a wrong, satanic spirit without knowing it, as when spreading falsehood and misrepresentation about writings helped with, claiming superior talent made the published articles and books what they were and that they were picked from other books, and by that influence becoming an adversary whose reports turn ministers and a whole church against belief in visions and mission. A man reproved for wrong habits may not discern what spirit moves him, feeling unjustly dealt with by those placed to guard morals and talking of leaving to work elsewhere, when reproof is painful duty to keep the institution a place where God's honor dwells and where the moral and religious principles of youth are strengthened rather than a place where by precept and example youth are educated in beer and wine drinking and tobacco use. That lack of discernment also appears in choosing society that gives no moral strength and feeling no danger in it, in indulging perverted appetite that injures health despite plain warning to reform before too late, and in failing to fear God and place the will on the Lord's side as Daniel did in the courts of Babylon to resist temptation, honor God and receive wisdom and understanding. People can become so spiritually confused by flattering and misleading ideas that they do not recognize the spirit shaping thoughts and conduct, losing ability to view Christ and holiness soberly and with sanctified mind, as with young women so influenced.
One who is wrong and does not discern his own spirit has his case taken in hand and revealed by God, and unless he soon becomes as a little child and breaks in pieces before God he will be left to himself. Professed sanctification does not prove union with God, for a scattering influence, opposition to God's people and failure to lead souls into the saving truths of Scripture show one does not know what spirit he is of. A person may fail to recognize the spirit guiding her, as when not understanding the spirit shown in influencing church members against the office and work of God. Workers in God's cause can be controlled by a wrong spirit without knowing it, even after feeling the Holy Spirit in testimony borne and confessing its power, when they turn back and grow dissatisfied over inability to make large wages on first buildings, yield to the tempter until loaded with evil surmising, brush away evidence as a cobweb, open lips to utter falsehoods as the Jews did in Christ's day, give loose rein to impulsive speech and carry false report far and near even to another continent.
One meaning to be a Christian can still be unaware of the controlling spirit, talking much in an exalted elevated strain that gives no benefit to others, holding hard bitter feelings against a fellow believer, being too much exalted, supposing feelings and impressions originating in the own brain are from the Lord, imagining much that God has nothing to do with, and thinking to be especially taught of God while under fanatical deception. A man can take a position led by a wrong spirit without knowing what spirit leads him, and taking such a position divorces him from privilege of using the house of worship, particularly when underhand efforts are made to get possession of it. Pride and worldly desires may govern conduct that harms others and brings reproach on God's cause while one is deceived about the guiding spirit and fails to recognize what kind of spirit is possessed, and recognizing the wrong and feeling humbled at times is not enough without thorough reformation. A person can act under a spirit opposed to God without recognizing it, and knowing the spirit one is of requires taking a clear stand with God's teachings rather than strengthening those under God's frown or unsettling others' faith.
Carriers of the message of truth must examine what kind of spirit they show, to be faithful and represent the truth as it is in Jesus rather than letting own traits shape it. A wrong unrecognized spirit speaks in erroneous propositions and in opposition to light and truth and sows seed that must reap its harvest, while sanctified knowledge would lead in different lines, yet the Lord still invites leaving corrupting influences of the world to come over to His side. Failure to recognize the spirit shown can also concern the spirit attributed to another, which honest people who heard and saw for themselves could judge despite malicious fabrications intended to discredit and undermine the truth. A man who claims to be infallible does not discern the spirit motivating him, and for that reason must never be placed in office and can never be trusted with responsibility of dealing with human minds. Not knowing what manner of spirit one is of means being deluded about own talents and being under satanic influence in self-exaltation unaware of what has taken hold, a condition requiring conversion and remaining transformed in character.