2 Timothy 3:16 English Standard Version (ESV) All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

2 Timothy 3:16 King James Version (KJV) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Both versions are quoted here to view the issue of inspiration of the scriptures. The ESV indicates that God spoke the words while the KJV indicates the writers heard God. We know the Holy Spirit is the breath of God but the issues of hearing the Holy Spirit can be confusing to a novice who does not have the experience required to be familiar with His voice.

All scripture is complete and there is no knew Word of God. There is however the need to share His Word in a manner which brings relevant meaning to this life in Christ. Much of how we perceive this life in Christ is first viewed in the comparative nature of things we already understand.

Psalm 1:3 English Standard Version (ESV) He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

We can study trees and understand how they live and produce fruit. Comparing man with a tree allows us to understand how the Holly Spirit transmits life from the source of life to the branches where the fruit of the Spirit is grown. It is something we can see in the natural world and relate it to our spiritual life.

In the same way devotional writers and teachers and authors take examples from life to bring inspiration into our spiritual lives. Hopefully their words are inspired by the Holy Spirit, not being given a new Word but being shown a natural way to present His Word. May it touch the life of the reader so that the Holy Spirit can fulfill the will of God.

John 16:13 English Standard Version (ESV) When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

Yesterday I referenced a spam filter in my e-mail software. Today we shall look at the similarities between spam filters and the work of the Holy Spirit.

Because the Holy Spirit leads us in “all the truth” we can see that He does not lead us into those areas of our life containing lies and deceptions. He can and does act as a filter. As with the spam filter in my e-mail the occasional mail comes through that is new and not on my list of spam sources. It is there that I must recognize truth for what it is and see the telltale signs of lies and deception. The easiest way is to not open the e-mail and look at the source. Who is the sender?

2 Corinthians 2:11 English Standard Version (ESV) so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

There will always be a design flaw in what Satan presents to us in the way of temptation. Those flaws are easily identified by the Holy Spirit and transmitted to us by truth. How we recognize and hear those truths is evidenced by how well we make ourselves knowledgeable of God’s Truth, His Word.

John 17:17 English Standard Version (ESV) Sanctify themin the truth; your word is truth.

Sanctification is a protective process which comes about by reading God’s Word and absorbing the truth. His truth will protect us from the lies and deceptions of Satan’s designs on us.

As with my e-mail spam filter, do not turn it off and ignore the warnings.