Posted on 12/31/2013 11:35:14 PM PST by restornu
How can I know when I have the Spirit of the Lord with me? I’m a college student having a lot of new experiences, and sometimes I can’t tell if I’m just feeling “good” or if my feelings are genuinely righteous.
Don Norton, English Department, Brigham Young University I’ve heard this question from dozens of young adults who are making all sorts of discoveries about themselves. Indeed it is a very important question. Since in this life “it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things” (2 Ne. 2:11; italics added), it must needs be that we learn to discern good from evil.
As I’ve discussed this question at firesides, in Sunday School and priesthood classes, and in religion courses, I find that students themselves are able to tell me how they feel when the Spirit of the Lord is with them. I don’t have to answer the question. They answer it for themselves.
Here’s the list of the kinds of things young people say they feel when the Spirit is with them, and what they feel when Satan tries to take over—making them unhappy, or tricking them with counterfeits. Do these feelings match your experience?
When you have the Spirit:
1. You feel happy, calm, and clear-minded.
2. You feel generous.
3. Nobody can offend you.
4. You wouldn’t mind everybody seeing what you’re doing.
5. You are eager to be with people and want to make them happy.
6. You are glad when others succeed.
7. You are glad to attend your meetings and participate in church activities.
8. You feel like praying.
9. You wish you could keep all the Lord’s commandments.
10. You feel in control—you don’t overeat or sleep too much; you don’t feel uncontrollably drawn to sensational entertainment, lose your temper, or feel uncontrollable passions or desires.
11. You think about the Savior often and lovingly; you want to know him better.
12. You feel confident and are glad to be alive.
When you don’t have the Spirit:
1. You feel unhappy, depressed, confused, and frustrated.
2. You feel possessive, self-centered, or resentful of demands made on you.
3. You are easily offended.
4. You become secretive and evasive.
5. You avoid people, especially members of your family; and you are critical of family members and Church authorities.
6. You envy or resent the successes of others.
7. You don’t want to go to church, go home teaching, or take the sacrament. You wish you had another church job or no job at all.
8. You don’t want to pray.
9. You find the commandments bothersome, restricting, or senseless.
10. You feel emotions and appetites so strongly that you fear you cannot control them—hate, jealousy, anger, lust, hunger, fatigue.
11. You hardly ever think of the Savior; he seems irrelevant to your life, or worse, part of a confusing system that seems to work against you.
12. You get discouraged easily and wonder if life is really worth it.
The mere fact that young people easily put this list together is a powerful reassurance that they do have the key to discernment. As Moroni put it: “The Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge that it is of God.
“But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one.” (Moro. 7:16–17.)
Let me add one word of caution. Feeling the power of Satan does not make you evil. Basically, a temptation is a struggle against his influence—which is both real and powerful. But the fact that you’re struggling does not mean that you are in his power or that the Spirit of God is not also striving with you. Evil consists, not of recognizing temptation, but of yielding to it. We must recognize temptation in this life. But we don’t need to invite it, linger with it, or savor it.
Satan is particularly good at counterfeiting holy things; for instance, in place of sacred love between a man and a woman, he offers popularity, physical attraction, or the social thrill of playing romantic games. You might try these tests of discernment on your feelings about love. Many young adults who think they are in love isolate themselves from their families, friends, and Church leaders. But real love, the kind that leads to eternal happiness, makes you glad to be around other people you love, because they share what you feel. Such love is godly love, not Satan’s counterfeit.
If you find Satan’s influence too much with you, then get help. Counsel with your parents or a Church leader; ask for a priesthood blessing; go to the Lord in fervent prayer for the clearness of mind and conscience that are signs of the Lord’s Spirit.
Whoops that should have been a courtesy PING to you for #59
Restor,
Thank you.....
Always remember two things. They can be your beacon as you focus on God as we are going through the upcoming turmoil.
1. God is in charge.
2. We know that the final outcome is wonderful as long as we trust rule #1.
Mormons do not believe in the Trinity..
I just read a comment by old Vernon McGee. “If the Spirit isn’t pointing to Jesus, it aint the spirit.” There is good Biblical basis for that statement.
resty is not talking about the Christian God...
Her Mormon god started out as a man and earned his godship..
So you say TN
You really don’t have a Trinity do you if is all in one spirit.
Thank you so much Jeff for this clearer understanding I pray many will this coming 2014 have the Lord’s Spirit of discernment.
resty is not talking about the Christian God...
Her Mormon god started out as a man and earned his godship..
***
Now, now lets not get snarky TN
Isn’t that what happen to Jesus Christ the first and only begotten Son of God the Father ?
1 Tim 3
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
John 7
39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
John 11
4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
John12
23 ¶And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
John 12 (and even in the days of Jesus being glorified the contenders still would not change their hearts!}
27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.
30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.
34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
37 ¶But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
42 ¶Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
44 ¶Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.
45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.
46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
“You really don’t have a Trinity do you if is all in one spirit.”
Very true.... However, My Father’s mansion has many rooms...
Each with a different perspective and each with a different awareness of reality that overlaps with all the lower rooms. Prayer and Loving God is the methodology of tuning our operational frequency to the higher rooms. We all exist within the same building (God).
Sin is the anchor or ballast that keeps us from moving upward. Everything Jesus taught us is on how to climb the ladder by cleansing the sin and moving toward the experience of God.
The Holy Spirit is merely a higher level of consciousness reaching down to help us out of Love for us. Just as the Dutch atomic physicist Neals Bohr discovered when he discovered electrons and that when an electron goes from a higher orbital to a lower orbital it gives off light. We always view a higher consciousness as Light. That is the reason the Bible refers to God as Light. As I have experienced the journey, I have noticed many similarities to atomic physics.
Yes, One God, One Spirit, in which we all exist as ONE!
I see it on Google earth. It looks like it is in the boonies, between mountain peaks. Come to Davao City. It is an interesting place.
I do understand your reply is a mormonISM perspective, as a born again Christian the Lords Spirit dose not leave me. He is mine and I am His.
***
Now in the scriptures it talks about there being two comforters this is a list of scriptures from the LDS point of understanding.
Two Comforters are spoken of. The first is the Holy Ghost (John 14:16–27; Moro. 8:26; D&C 21:9; 42:17; 90:11). The Second Comforter is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. “When any man obtains this last Comforter, he will have the personage of Jesus Christ to attend him, or appear unto him from time to time, and even He will manifest the Father unto him” (D&C 88:3–4; 130:3; HC 3:381). See also Holy Ghost.
Comforter aka Holy Ghost was briefly spoken about in
John 7
39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
and also in John 14
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
John 16
5 But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?
6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
The Spirit of God was spoke of in the OT and now the Spirit of the Lord in the NT.
I hope it does not offend you to share these things
It seems the Holy Spirit aka The Spirit of the Lord could not be received until Jesus went away.
“This list was made up by young people and one does not have to be LDS to appreciate many of these things can be found in the scriptures this was tailor from Mormon youth but other faith could make their own check list.”
Judging from your writing, I wouldn’t expect you to be very literate in the scripture. To not “criticize” LDS “authorities” is not a scriptural command. Obviously, the exact opposite is the case:
Gal_2:11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
All ministers must be blameless, the husband of one wife, and full of sobriety:
1Ti_3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
Of course, that pretty well rules out the polygamist prophets of the LDS, eh?
To claim that being “critical” of “authorities” is a sign of not being a Christian is a good argument to make for a religious cult that discourages critical thinking. It is not good advice for Christians who live in a fallen world, with corruptible pastors.
“The mere fact that young people easily put this list together is a powerful reassurance that they do have the key to discernment.”
How much discernment could these “Mormon youth” have when they’re members of a polytheistic religious cult that teaches them that they can become gods after their death, provided they jump through all the Mormon hoops?
Compare to the scripture:
“before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me” (Isaiah 43:10)
“Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any” (Isa 44:8)
“I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me” (Isa 45:5)
Magnificent country.
I hope to settle there.
We can't own property as ex pats, but our wives can and I have a TON of ideas for self sufficiency that can be built real cheap.
“It seems the Holy Spirit aka The Spirit of the Lord could not be received until Jesus went away.”
Thank you again for sharing..
Jesus went away, but at the same time He did not leave. He is still here and was always here. He did however leave our direct awareness.
There is an unwritten reality that most people are unaware. You are only allowed to be consciously aware of one level of consciousness above the level at which you exist. This is for our own protection.
When Jesus went through the dark night of the soul experience, He raised to the next level where He became aware that our Father and He are One. That is why He said what He did.
Jesus then went on to say that He is in His Father and His Father in Him. He further added that if we are in Him (this is what communion is about) then His Father that is in Him is also in us.
If you think of Russian nesting dolls as the model of understanding where God is the big outermost doll. We would be the little doll in the middle and Jesus would be one of the dolls between us and God. (Thus we cannot get to God except through Jesus)
This is pretty much how it works based upon my own experience. This is why Jesus said what He did in Matthew 24:25 about the messiah will be seen as the lightning in the east is seen in the west. Jesus is already here and we all can perceive Him by growing.
Nana: Resty is not talking about the Christian God...
Her Mormon god started out as a man and earned his godship..
***
Resty:
Now, now lets not get snarky TN
Isn’t that what happen to Jesus Christ the first and only begotten Son of God the Father ?
____________________________________________
No Resty you have been told time and time again by Christians..
The LORD Jesus Christ is God..
Always was God..
Is God now
and ever shall be God..
Jesus started out as God not man..
God because flesh and was born as a human baby and died on the Cross to pay for our sins in our place..
According to Joey Smith, your Mormon god started out as a man and earned his godship..
However, My Father’s mansion has many rooms...
___________________________________
But in Christianity its different..
The LORD Jesus Christ said “My Father’s house has many mansions..” John 14:2
BTW Resty speaking of the lies that Joey Smith told there was also that time he declared that large 1,000 year old Quakers lived on the moon..
Later Brigham Young the 2nd false prophet of the Mormons added to this astounding fallacy by stating that people lived on the sun too..
Well both guys thought they would never be proven wrong and that they could tell whoppers with nobody objecting..
But in 1969 men did go to the moon and guess what Resty ???
Your pal Joey Smith was proven to be a conman, a liar again..a false prophet..
No Quakers no humans living there at all..
and no sign that there ever had been anyone there..
whatcha think ???
are there humans living on the sun ???
Judging from your writing, I wouldn’t expect you to be very literate in the scripture. To not “criticize” LDS “authorities” is not a scriptural command. Obviously, the exact opposite is the case:
***
Sir excuse me I might be self taught because of conditions you need not trouble yourself about..
BTW the my understanding of the scriptures comes by pondering and studying things and the power of the Holy Ghost. I never did well learning things by wrote. I always had to struggle with each written word to over come things that many are born with naturally.
Thank God the Spirit of the Lord edify my understanding.
I have experience you setting yourself up high on a pedestal before so if you will excuse this lowly being approaching your space.
“before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me” (Isaiah 43:10)
Would you be so kind as to give your understanding of this verse?
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