The Holy Spirit does not work in contradiction to the word of God.

He does not reveal truths that are contradictory to the word of God.

He does not lead people to trust in His working within them above, nor in contradiction to, the word of God.

We must be very careful not to allow our feelings, experiences, and impulses to tempt us to set aside, to go around. or in some other way to ignore the words of God.

In other words, the word of God is our only “checks and balances” to know if what we believe and have experienced is truly of the Holy Spirit. Or if they are the work of some other spirit.

Much of this is said in response to those who claim that they can trust the Holy Spirit to guide them and keep them from error – while not allowing the words of God to have the supreme authority over their lives.

But there are at least two very dangerous errors in this thinking.

One has to do with the nature and work of the Holy Spirit.

The other has to do with the nature of God’s word.

To Glorify Jesus Christ

To explain this further, the Holy Spirit does not glorify Himself; He glorifies Christ.

He does not draw attention to Himself; He draws us to focus on Christ.

He does not cause us to trust in His working apart from what Christ has clearly taught in His word.

Because Christ is the Word. We cannot truly know Jesus Christ apart from His word.

And the Holy Spirit is the Sword of the Spirit; which is the word of God.

Our understanding of Jesus Christ is directly linked to our depth of abiding in His words. And in our keeping His words (John 15).

However, modern believers are being deceived by ministers, authors, and “movements” that are supposedly following the leading of the Holy Spirit while diminishing truth.

Everywhere in Christian circles this downplaying of truth and doctrine is taking place. In many places, the focus has shifted from knowing the Bible deeply, seeking to have sound doctrine, and to defend the faith. So much that such a pursuit is regarded as being harmful to Christian fellowship, sowing division, and being a Pharisee.

While, at the same time, our “experience” of Jesus, our “relationship” to Jesus, our “love” for others, and our “service” for Christ are considered more important. And even regarded as the more important signs of true discipleship.

A Clever “Replacement” for Truth

One of the most effective strategies of false teachers has been through teaching about “God’s poetry” or by the interpretation of the word of God according to metaphor. Which introduces the error that the Bible can be believed and obeyed by interpreting the clear historical record of the Bible as metaphors and symbols. Instead of as real, linear, historical events.

This is done so that teachers can “get around” those pesky biblical accounts of a literal, 7- day creation (a young earth), a worldwide flood, the virgin birth of Christ, and His resurrection from the dead. By reducing those historical accounts to symbolism. Reducing those historical, supernatural events to “stories”; events that are not to be taken literally but as deep, poetic teachings about God, His nature, and His love toward us.

Sort of like glorified Aesop’s fables. Except for Christians.

However, as just one example, the book of Genesis is not poetry. It is historical fact. The failure to see this is a great deviation from truth that affects every other passage a person will try to interpret in the Bible.

Just as a bad foundation set for a house will lead to the eventual crumbling of the whole structure.


This “metaphorical” movement can be characterized by Satan’s statement to Eve in the Garden. “Yea, hath God said . . . ?“ (Genesis 3:3)

This movement, populated by very popular authors, pastors, seminary professors, and Evangelical leaders, is influencing people away from believing the clear, plain teaching of the word of God. That which God has clearly proclaimed.

In other words, it is a movement of “unbelief” led by some of the most respected leaders in our Bible churches and in the Christian media. Not to mention the schools of higher “Christian” learning that have created those same leaders.

Truth is Based Upon Propositions – Not Feelings

Truth from the word of God gives us doctrines.

Doctrines are basically propositions that are repeatedly taught in the Bible. We live and breathe and move in Him based on these doctrinal truths that we choose to believe about Him, His character, and His work.

We cannot say we know Him while allowing our feelings or our own beliefs about His “loving” nature to change how we interpret His word. Or to say that we are following the leading of His Spirit while we do not have a deep and passionate love for His words. For His specific words and their clear, straight-forward meaning.

In other words, taking Him at His word. Believing that God actually said what He meant. Clearly and plainly.

It simply makes no sense to believe otherwise.

The Holy Spirit does not operate independent of the word of God. He does not introduce some “new revelations” to us that are contradictory to the words of Christ. Even though this is an increasingly popular teaching among Evangelicals.

The idea that a person can just choose to focus on Jesus and loving Jesus and that He will then keep that person from error. That is like if Jesus had believed Satan when He was tempted in the wilderness. When Satan subtly misquoted the Bible saying that God would not allow any harm to come to Christ if He threw Himself off the cliff!

The Lord’s response was to quote His words. To go back to His own words which God has given to us all to keep from going into error!

The Spirit reveals to us the truth of His words. But only if we are willing to believe those words as they have been written.

Is there poetry in God’s word? Of course! Wonderful, beautiful poetry.

But we must take extreme care not to follow those who would have us interpret God’s Record as poetry. Because they are trying to conform to popular scientific consensus. Or the demands of a pagan culture. Or the heresies held by ancient “fathers” of “the church” (the “Patristic” arguments), who loved to interpret the Record of God’s word as metaphor.

This is an Authority issue. As in who we are going to believe? Who we are going to follow?

Any other ideas we have about Jesus Christ, His love, His salvation, His judgment, His return, and His eternal glory can only be certain and sure if we can back up those ideas by His words.

Not by simply picking and choosing what we wish to see – what makes us feel good. But comparing scripture with scripture. Taking the whole counsel of God. Taking All of the 66 books from Genesis to Revelation.

All of this has to do with His name. Who He is. What He has done. What He has declared is true.

We can only know these things for sure and for certain based upon His words.

Everything that we know about His name is totally dependent on His words.

“I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.” (Psalm 138)

Image by geralt from Pixabay