Answering Doctrinal Questions (Part 7) Stan Crowley But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; (1 Pet 3:15 NKJV)

 No.  Some teach that God (perhaps through the Holy Spirit) works directly on all Christian’s hearts today: to impart information/illumination, provide an understanding of the Scriptures, or provide guidance. 18. Does the Holy Spirit operate on the souls/wills of men separate from the Word of God? 2

 We must carefully note: Any information revealed directly to man by God involves “prophecy,” implying that there are miracles today (II Pet. 1:21). Providing a better understanding of a passage is providing information that changes what a person will think or do. Any information from God that supplements what has previously been provided is new revelation—it should be recorded and shared as “Scripture” (II Pet. 1:20-21) Does the Holy Spirit operate on the souls/wills of men separate from the Word of God?

 Except for the miraculous gift of prophecy, to prophets, God has always worked on man’s “heart” (man’s mind) indirectly through the things God has told man or shown to man.  Sometime, such teaching uses the term heart … teaching that the Holy Spirit directly affects “man’s heart.”  We need to understand “heart” as the Bible uses the word “heart.” 18. Does the Holy Spirit operate on the souls/wills of men separate from the Word of God? 4

 In the Scriptures, “heart” is: “The inner self that thinks, feels, and decides. In the Bible the word heart has a much broader meaning than it does to the modern mind.” (Nelson’s Bible Dictionary via PC Study Bible Software)  Examples: Thinking (Pr. 23:7) Rejoicing (Ez. 25:6) Concluding (Ps. 14:1) Thinking Feeling Deciding 5

Influence Senses Thinking Feeling DecidingMind This is the process found in Scripture. God affects man’s will by what He says and shows to man Does the Holy Spirit operate on the souls/wills of men separate from the Word of God?

Man’s intellectual capabilities: mind Hear / See / Smell / Touch / Taste The Words of Revelation The Creation The Miracles God has always influenced man in general through his five senses Does the Holy Spirit operate on the souls/wills of men separate from the Word of God?

Influence Senses Thinking Feeling Deciding Mind Never do we find God directly affecting man’s thinking, feeling, or will. X Does the Holy Spirit operate on the souls/wills of men separate from the Word of God? This is the process found in Scripture.

Thinking Deciding Feeling  If He directly affects our thoughts, why are we told to bring every thought into captivity (II Cor. 10:5)?  If He directly affects our feelings, we should listen to those who “feel” something is wrong.  If He directly affects our decisions, then to the extent that He does we are not responsible Does the Holy Spirit operate on the souls/wills of men separate from the Word of God?

Those who teach that God operates directly on man’s mind (e.g., through a direct operation of the Holy Spirit) are teaching a method nowhere found in the Scriptures.  Except for miracles, God’s has always influenced man’s through man’s senses.  We do not find examples of: Directly implanting thoughts, Directly causing feelings, or Directly affecting the decision-making powers of man Does the Holy Spirit operate on the souls/wills of men separate from the Word of God?

 SAVE FOR ANOTHER TIME 21. Should those who teach doctrine contrary to the New Testament be marked (noted, ASV) and avoided? 11

 By comparing our heart and our actions to the standards set forth in the Word of God. (2 Tim 3:16 NKJV) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, (2 Tim 3:17 NKJV) that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 22. How can we know whether or not we are doing God’s will? 12

 Neither our feelings nor our conscience is a reliable guide. (Prov 14:12 NKJV) There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. (Jer 10:23 NKJV) O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps. 22. How can we know whether or not we are doing God’s will? 13

 Neither our feelings nor our conscience is a reliable guide. (Acts 23:1 NKJV) Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, "Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day." (1 Tim 1:15 NKJV) This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 22. How can we know whether or not we are doing God’s will? 14