Getting to know "The Force" 5

 An attitude or disposition

We are talking about the eight applications of the word “Spirit” as they are in the Bible. They are,

1-The Divine Spirit: Referring to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, God himself.

2-The human spirit: The immaterial part of a human being, distinct from the soul and body, responsible for our thoughts, emotions, and will.

3-The breath of life: The animating force that gives life to all living creatures.

4-The wind: Often used as a metaphor for God's presence or power.

5-An attitude or disposition: Referring to a person or group's prevailing mental or emotional state.

6-A supernatural being: Angels, demons, and other spiritual entities are sometimes called spirits.

7-A gift or talent: Certain abilities or skills are attributed to the spirit in some contexts.

8-The essence or meaning of something: A thing's core quality or nature.

Today, we will be discussing the fifth.

5-An attitude or disposition: Referring to a person or group's prevailing mental or emotional state.

Just like “the Force” in this application, you have both sides. The Dark, and the Light side of “The Force” or the Spirit. The concept of "spirit" in the Bible transcends a mere mental or emotional state; it encompasses the very essence of an individual or group, influencing their thoughts, actions, and destiny.

The Darkside or the negative states: How does a negative spirit, such as fear, anger, or jealousy, affect individuals and groups? Let's start with a few examples in The Word.

Envy and Jealousy. Covetness. Cain slew Able because He was jealous of his brother’s gift being accepted.

“Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose against his brother Abel and killed him.” Genesis 4:8

Joseph’s brothers? They were jealous of their father’s love for their brother. This led to a desire to kill him. Ruben talked them out of it so they decided to get rid of him another way.

“Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him”

“Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.” Genesis 37:3-4, 28

What about fear? Look at the story of Jonah.

“Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me." But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD.” Jonah 1:1-3

This did not end well for Jonah. When the storm came, he admitted he was afraid and was running away from God and he even told them to throw him into the sea.

“So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows. And the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” Jonah 1:15-17

Fear of death leads Peter to deny Jesus. The spirit of hatred led them to crucify Jesus Himself. Hatred leads us, now the children of God, to be persecuted and killed every day. In the flesh, we live in and are a part of, the dark side if you will. We are born into sin, and we have no power over it. But here is the good news. We do not have to remain as such.

Positive states of the Spirit, or the light side of “the force,” is where you want to be. How does a positive spirit, such as joy, hope, or courage, manifest itself in individuals and groups?

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13

Paul exhorts children of God to be hopeful in all things. He also encourages us to focus on positive things.

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:7-8

Jesus Himself tells us we should have no fear whatsoever.

Meeting our daily needs?

“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:31-33

Fearing about tomorrow?

"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:34

Fear of the world?

“So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs on your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:26-31

Fear of death?

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4

Jesus said this.

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he dies, yet shall he live,” John 11:25

Not only can you have no fear walking in the Spirit. You can and WILL be transformed. King David repented and his spirit was renewed in Psalm 51. Saul becomes Paul in Acts 9. The Word even tells us that we die to our flesh and we become a NEW creature.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

As a matter of fact, you cannot in any way, walk in the darkness, walk in the flesh, and enter the Kingdom of God.

“Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3

This is why Jesus would give us a new name. Saul to Paul, Simon to Peter, etc. He did this because they were truly a new person. Now filled with the light. Filled with the Life. Filled with the Holy Spirit.

Human Spirit. This refers to the inner essence of a person, encompassing their emotions, desires, and will. Group Spirit is the collective mentality, morale, or motivation that drives a community. The Holy Spirit signifies the divine force indwelling believers, transforming them, and empowering them to live Christ-like lives.

“so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” Ephesians 4:14-16

Paul is referring to a process of spiritual maturity that will keep us solidly grounded and on a steady course to the Kingdom of God. Two of the phrases Paul uses in this passage deserve expounding by commentator Albert Barnes:

"“So that we may no longer be children” Children have other characteristics besides simplicity and docility. They are often changeable {Matt 11:16}; they are credulous, and are influenced easily by others, and led astray. In these respects, Paul exhorts the Ephesians to be no longer children but urges them to put on the characteristics of [adulthood]; and especially to put on the firmness in a religious opinion which became maturity of life. . . .

“And carried about with every wind of doctrine” With no firmness; no settled course; no helm. The idea is that of a vessel on the restless ocean, that is tossed about with every varying wind, and that has no settled line of sailing.

As we know, children have short attention spans; they change directions seemingly in an instant. They will begin to play with one toy only to be distracted by another a moment later. A parent will tell them to do something, and the intention to obey escapes them as soon as something else comes up.

While Jesus tells us that, in our conversion, we are to "become as little children" {Matthew 18:3}, He is not referring to this kind of simplicity, changeability, and distractibility. Putting these two admonitions together, Christians are to be mature in their convictions and faith, yet open and humble as little children. In this way, they are receptive to God's truth and the guidance of His Spirit, yet sure and uncompromising in their beliefs."

We need to be children of God but mature in Christ. Walk in the Spirit. Live in the light. Be the child of God, that God calls us to be.

Have you been adopted into the Family of God? Would you like to be? It is simple. Say this prayer. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, You shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

Email if you wish to contact me, it's truthbygod1@gmail.com

May the comfort of the Holy Ghost, and the peace of our Lord Jesus, be with you all. May God bless and be with you, always.

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!