"He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself . . . " 1 John 5:10
What is the "witness of the Spirit?" This question is incessantly asked and many of the answers are most confusing, although the Bible is perfectly clear on it. The witness of the Spirit is the inspired Word of God. The Bible is the Spirit's testimony! Believing the promises of the Word is God's witness to our hearts. Emotions may follow - but emotions are not the witness. Happiness may result - but joy is not the witness. Feelings may accompany our experience, but our emotion, happiness, and joy - are because God's promises are true. Emotions vary; happiness depends too often on circumstances. Feelings change from day to day, but the promises of God are ever the same! We are saved because we believe what God says is true; namely, that "whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13). If I believe that - then joy follows, feelings and emotions are stirred - but these are not the "witness of the Spirit," rather they are the result of relying on the promises of God. Are you trusting your emotions (which change) or are you resting on the abiding Word of God?
"Oh, Doctor De Hann," said a dear old lady, "we had such a good time in our church last night. Everybody was so happy and we were all crying. My what a good time we had. We shouted and sang and even jumped up and down. Oh what a good time we had." Finally I had to ask her, "What were you all crying about?" Her answer was, "I don't know why, but it was a wonderful feeling - we had such a good time."
Beloved, I have no objection to your having a good time, singing, crying, laughing, even jumping, but be sure your joy flows from a fact - the solid promises of the Word of God. When the jumping stops, you need something more to stand on.
"Bread For Each Day"
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