Sieberen Voordewind

A) Denial of Its existence

There are people who had heard about the Holy Spirit and deliberately not believe His existence. Denial of His existence is just as foolish as to deny the Living God. “The fool has said in his heart:”There is No God,” (Psalms 14:1). And The word “God” means: “The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” For in Genesis 1:1 you can read: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth,” The Hebrew word “Elohiem” is used for God and means “Gods.” A confirmation we can read in Genesis 1:26: “And God said, Let Us (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness.” Yes, The Holy Spirit exists as God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son. He was already in the beginning. Genesis 1:2 says: “The Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters.”

B) The denial that He lives on earth There are people who believe that He exists, but not that He lives on earth.

The Lord Jesus has said: “ But now I am going to Him Who sent Me …Because if I do not go away, The Comforter will not come to you; but if I go away, I will send Him to you … (read John 16: 5-15). After The Lord Jesus left the earth and was returned to His father (Acts 1:9-11; 7:55-56), the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-13)came to live into the disciples of Jesus Christ (John 14:16, 26; Romans 8:5, 6, 14; Acts 2:4, 17, 38; 4:8, 31, 6:3-6). The deliberately deny that the Holy Spirit lives in the disciples of Jesus Christ on earth, baptized in Him, is an attack on the words of Jesus, an attack on God the Father with whom the Lord Jesus is related and an attack on the Holy Spirit Himself. But … blessed are those who believe the Words of Jesus and believe with all their heart that the Holy Spirit is with and lives in us!

C) The denial of the truth of the BibleEvery tongue and every written word, the truth of the Bible – the written Word of the Living God, deny, is an attack of the Holy Spirit. Why?Because 1) The written Word of God – the Bible – is the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17),Because 2) Every Scripture is given by His inspiration ( Timothy 3:14-16; 2 Peter 1:21)And because 3) The Holy Spirit, is the Spirit of Truth, His words are 100% true. (John 14:16-17). Therefore, each tongue and every word confess the Bible is the truth will be richly blessed. Believe and walk in the truth is the best life there is. Live in the truth!

D) Rejecting the Lord JesusWhen the Lord Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 3:21-22; 4:1, 14), was on a sabbath in the synagogue of Nazareth, He read from the book of the prophet Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me, to preach the good news (the gospel) to the poor …” (Luke 4:18-19). He closed the book after reading the scripture and began to speak these words: “Today this Scripture has fulfilled while you are present and hearing.” (Luke 4:21)

Were the people pleased with the Preacher filled with the Spirit? The Bible says: “When they heard these things all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage. And rising up, they pushed and drove Him out of the town … (Luke 4:28-29). They not only drove the Lord Jesus out of town, but also the Holy Spirit whom had filled Him! Rejecting the Lord Jesus, Son of the Living God, is also rejecting God’s Spirit. But … Who accept the Savior with open arms and heart, accept also the Holy Spirit!

E) Rejecting the Living God

There are people who reject the Lord God, as we read in 1 Samuel 8:7b: “And the Lord said to Samuel: Hearken to the voice of the people in all they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not be King over them.” And who rejects the Lord in his or her life, rejects also the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name (John 14:16, 26) The Holy Spirit of the Lord spoke in and by me (2Samuel 23:2). Blessed are they, who opened their hearts wide open for the Living God and also for the Holy Spirit.

F) Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit

About the worst sin we read in the Bible: “Therefore I (Jesus) tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven men, but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall not and cannot be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Spirit, the Holy One, will not be forgiven, either in this world and age or in the world and age to come.” These words the Lord spoke to the Pharisees, who slandered on purpose the Holy Spirit. They did not do that once, but they continued with hard hearts and persistency, closed their hearts for the Holy Spirit, He convince the world about sin (John 16:8). They deliberately had cut off themselves from the good work of the Savior here on earth and forgiveness of sins. But blessed are those who have not done so and will not do that, so the way to forgiveness and salvation remains open!! While still mankind can be convinced by the Holy Spirit, the road still is open to receive forgiveness of sins!

You can never praise enough His Holy name.

G) Rejection of the fulfilled Christian with the Holy SpiritIn the Bible we can read about brother Stephen, “a man full of faith and controlled by the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:5). As disciple of Jesus Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit, he was full of grace and power, worked great wonders and signs took place among the people (Acts 6:8). However, some people arose to debate and dispute with him. But they were not able to resist the intelligence, the wisdom and the Spirit with and by Whom he spoke (Acts 6:9-10). So they came with lies, took him before the council and brought false witnesses (Acts 6:9-14). Oh, Stephen came with a defensive speech (Acts 7:1-53), but the result was that they were cut to the heart and infuriated, and they ground their teeth against Stephen (Acts 7:54). What happened then? “And he (Stephen), full of the Holy Spirit and controlled by Him, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at God’s right hand (Acts 7:55). And he said, Look! I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at God’s right hand.” (Acts 7:56-58). “They raised a great shout and put their hands over their ears and rushed together upon him. Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him.” Terrible! A Christian fulfilled with the Holy Spirit was rejected and murdered. Why? Because he was filled with the Holy Spirit, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and great wonders and signs followed! Not only a Christian was rejected, but also the Holy Spirit who was in him, spoke and worked through him. But rich blessed are they who haven’t rejected Stephen and all other Christians’ filled with Spirit, throughout history!

H) Touching God’s anointed
God saying in1 Chronicles 16:22: “Touch not My anointed, and do My prophets no harm.” It doesn’t say: “It should only be considered …” and nor: “On … after “and nor: “Except, the anointed has done something wrong.” God was very clear! He gave the order not to touch My anointed.”

Who is God’s anointed? Everyone who is anointed with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8; 1John 2:20-27/ John 14:15-31), but particularly those who are anointed for the service to gospel (Acts 1:8; 4:8; 6:3-6; 13:2-4; 14:23/ Ephesians 4:11-12/ 1Corinthians 12:28-30). God saying: “Don’t touch My anointed.” With other words: “Don’t harm them!” And as an anointed of God makes a mistake? Do not touch him! The Bible is very clear on this position. Take for example: Saul and David.

The Bible saying: “Then Samuel took the vial of oil and poured it on Saul’s head and kissed him, and saying: Has not the Lord anointed you to be the prince over His heritage Israel?” (1Samuel 10:1).

In the Bible we can read: “Then the spirit of the Lord will come upon him mightily and gave him another heart.” (1Samuel 10:9-13), to fulfill the task God had for him. But one day Saul rejected the Word of God (1Sameul 15:23), and the Lord has rejected him from being king over Israel (1 Samuel 15:27-35). God provide for Himself another king. Then Samuel took the horn of oil anointed him (David) in the midst of his brothers (1 Samuel 16:13). What happened after that? The Spirit of God departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented and troubled him. He hated the new anointed (David) (1 Samuel18:1-30), but David will not put forth his hands against Saul (1 Samuel 24: 1-23; 26:1-25, 9). David said to Abishai, “do not destroy him (Saul); for who can raise his hand against the Lord’s anointed and be guiltless?” (1 Samuel 26:9). What mistakes anointed Saul started, David, the anointed, put his trust in God to judge!!We must do no harm the (other) anointed of God, so we not attack the Holy Spirit! David condemned the sins of Saul. And he put his trust in the Living God. Now if we see an anointed of God commits sins, pray for this person and put him/her in the hands of the Living God. It’s evidently to do no harm to the anointed when he/she do no wrong in the eyes of the Lord!! The greatest anointed of the Lord – who was without sin – was and is: Jesus Christ (Lucas 3:21-22; 4:1, 14) Peter said about Him: “And we are witnesses of everything that He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. About Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed and consecrated Jesus with the Holy Spirit and with strength and ability and power. How He went doing good, in particular, curing all who were harassed and oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him (Acts 10:37-39a). And what did many “pious” people with the anointed of the Lord? Peter went on speaking: “And they put Him out of the way by hanging Him on a tree…” (Acts 10:39b). Fortunately brother Peter told us that God raised Jesus to live on the third day and caused Him to be manifest. My point is: if the greatest anointed of the Lord was already touched”, wronged, how much more His disciples who are filled with the Spirit? Read in the Bible about Stephen. A man filled with the Holy Spirit, eventually was stoned. And even today, many anointed of the Lord be stoned. Not always literally, but mentally. Scandal, gossip, slander etc. and even television or newspapers are used to attack the anointed. But one day, they have to appear again for the Almighty God and explain their actions. And believe me: The Lord God condemns those who do harm to the anointed and also to the Holy Spirit, which was sent to live in us.

Behold: “Do no harm to My (God’s) anointed!”

I) Just the ScriptureThere are people who investigate the Scriptures of the Living God, but don’t’ want to accept Him, the Lord of the Holy Book.
The Lord Jesus once said to them: “You search and investigate and pore over the Scriptures diligently, because you suppose and trust that you have eternal life through them. And these testify about Me! And still you are not willing to come to Me, so that you might have life. (John 5:39-40). It’s about people

dealing with Bible studies, Bible investigation, but want nothing to do with the person described in the Scripture which was predicted. Another translation (The Book, 1988, I.B.S.) writes: “You read in the books of Moses and other prophets, because you suppose to find eternal life. All those books testify about Me. And yet you will not come to Me…”Who only accepts God’s Word, but not accept The One they wrote about: Jesus Christ, also don’t accept the Spirit whom was inspired through the Word and fulfilled Jesus. As people have been accepted the Scripture, but not the Living Word: Jesus Christ, there are still people, past and present, who accept the Word and Jesus Christ, but… not the Holy Spirit by whom the Scripture was written (2Peter 2:21). They are extremely busy with the letter, but not with the Spirit, the Bible saying: “The letter kills but the Spirit makes alive” (2 Corinthians 3:6). It’s the Word and The Spirit.

J) To impose silenceIt’s terrible that there are people who want impose silence to the Living Holy Spirit, which is so keen to speak to us.
This occurs in the following ways: 1) To impose silence to The Holy Spirit, by praying in the Spirit (Jude: 20), to prohibit a prayer group of prayers in the Municipality (church). 2) To impose silence to the Holy Spirit, by speaking of a prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:1-25, 31), to prohibit a prayer group of prayers in the Municipality (church). 3) To impose silence to the Holy Spirit, by a preacher full of the Spirit, who speaking the Words (2 Samuel 23:2), to prohibit a prayer group of prayers in the Municipality (church).4) To impose silence to the Holy Spirit, by appointing people in the Municipality this is not full of the Holy Spirit. Full of the Holy Spirit is absolutely necessary for each service (Acts 1:8; 6:3-8; 2:1-13; 4:8, 31). 5) To impose silence to the Holy Spirit, appointed to people itself in the Municipality, whereas the Spirit wants this to do (Acts 13:2, 4/ 1 Corinthians 12:18, 28). 6) To impose silence to the Holy Spirit, by the talents of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:1-11) to prohibit in the church. There are people who want impose silence to the Holy Spirit, but… He doesn’t let it happen by people. Look at the Life of the Lord Jesus. He was fulfilled with the Holy Spirit, be guided by the Holy Spirit, spoke God’s Word by the Holy Spirit. But He never stopped with His service, despite reverses. How many “pious” people were against Him: they couldn’t impose silence to Him. He kept preaching. And the attacks have also occurred and are still committed to God’s Spirit: He lives and He will continue doing God’s perfect will! Therefore, do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God (Ephesians 4:30) do not resist Him (Acts 7:51-53). But open your heart and spirit for Him to be led. “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God” (Romans 8:14). He always leads you to the Truth (John 14:17, 16:12)!