Why Keep Company With The Word

Before we examine the various ways in which we can keep company with the Word; let’s begin by understanding why we should keep company with the Word. Amen.

In all our getting, let’s get understanding (Proverbs 4:7) because a person who understands what they do and why they do what they do or why they do what they are told to do will benefit most. Amen.

Why?

-It is a godly thing to do. Please do not keep company with the Word because it is a good thing to do. Let’s begin reshaping our mindsets. Start refraining from doing things just because they are good things. Do things or do something because it is a godly thing to do. Why? A good or bad thing done is based on your opinion while a godly thing is based on God’s opinion. Amen. Godly actions will eventually yield or lead to good actions. Good actions do not always yield/ or lead to godly actions. So let’s be very careful.

-It is an opportunity for you to understand your Father God and His expectations for you.

When you understand your Father better, you will relate with Him better, and you will benefit from the relationship more. When you understand Him through the Word, you will know firsthand what he expects from you and what you can expect from Him. There is no other way to get this information than through the Word.

-It is your manual for living. If you want to know how you were designed to function and why you are here on earth, there is no better place to consult but the word of God (bible). In it, you will receive step by step information and instructions.

-It will help you resolve confusion (s) by guiding you in the right direction as concerns decision making. Are you experiencing any form of confusion? I have a solution for you. The Word of God.

-You will experience growth and increase in all applicable areas of life.

-You will be better Christ representer here on earth. You will become knowledgeable about how to establish the kingdom of heaven.

-Above all, it is the best companion you can keep and be guaranteed that you will reap a good harvest.

When next we meet, we will talk about the various ways in which we can keep company with the Word. Amen!

Companionship - Introduction

Companionship is a topic that is relevant in the life of every person and in every season. We are grateful for the opportunity to delve deeper into this topic of interest and learn the biblical perspectives of companionship. As you listen to the messages this season, I encourage you to begin making changes, adjustments by applying the word that comes your way.

For the purpose of the study, a companion is a person or thing with whom one spends more time with. Therefore, companionship refers to company.

This sounds like a very easy and familiar topic, however, this is where most people get it wrong even in the Christian circle. Do not get complacent. Listen, every one of us can benefit from a companionship restructuring or overhaul. Whatever season you find yourself, if you examine your life very closely, you will find an area in which you can do better, talk better, act better, think better, read better, write better and more. As the messages come to us this season, please do yourself a favor not to exempt yourself from the life-changing encounters as a result of the transformation that comes from the Word. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand even beyond the words spoken through these recordings. Let your minds be receptive, be open to learn and grow.

So much will be addressed in this series – we will learn who and what to keep company with, how to purposefully choose our companions, consequences of wrong companionships and more. All of these will be learned from the Word of God.

Companionship is a topic of interest that the Word of God addresses in every book of the Bible in different ways. The reason is simple; it is all about relationship. Relating with skill. Did you know that we can all benefit from any and every relationship if we do so skillfully? Very true.

Proverbs 13:20 (ESV)

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
    but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

1 Corinthians 15:33 (NASB)

 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”

The Words in scripture are inspired. They are not regular words. It is a risk at your expense to undermine what the bible has to say for whatever reason. You must have heard Proverbs 13:20 and 1 Corinthians 15:33, and just maybe you did not take them seriously and as result, justified why you had to keep the wrong company. Guess what? There are consequences to disobeying the Word of God. So next time, when you quote these sentences, remember no one is exempted (you are not too holy to become a victim of circumstance, you are not too strong to not be influenced by negativity). Proverbs 13:20 and 1 Corinthians 15:33 are without any exemption. Now is not the time to make excuses or give benefit of doubts. No! Seek counsel if you must because, the truth, remains the truth.

Let your testimony be that of the Psalmist as quoted in Psalm 119:63

I am a companion of all who fear you, all who keep your precepts.

Join us, as we get practical in our spiritual walk. Amen!

The Holy Spirit Upon You

The Holy Spirit upon will do the following;

·       The Holy Spirit upon is the same Holy Spirit within. Our walk with the Holy Spirit leads us to a place where our lives are greatly/positively affected and we begin to overflow.

Acts 1:24 (NKJV)

And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen.

Acts 2:4 (NKJV)

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

·       The baptism and refilling of the Holy Spirit is an ongoing process (Luke 8:18-19).

·       The Holy Spirit upon is for service, not personal use. It is important to focus on the Spirit within and upon for complete growth purposes.
         
              The Spirit "Upon"  is available to the believer and can be transferred;

·       Through service to God. As you serve God and continue in your service to Him, He sees your heart and directs you just as in the case of Cornelius in in Acts.

·       Through tithes and offering

·       Through the Word – spend time studying the Word day and Night.

·       Through prayers – invest time in prayers

·       By serving the anointed man or woman of God.

·       By the laying of the mantle.

·       By looking into the eyes of the anointed man or woman of God with whom you have a relationship with.

·       By being of service to them.

It should be noted that, although the anointing can be transferred as mentioned above, the person receiving the transfer must remain in prayers and follow Paul’s example as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:10 (NKJV) - But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

The Holy Spirit Within You

The Holy Spirit Within You will do the following;

·       For our healing and health of our bodies. The Holy Spirit within vitalizes our mortal bodies.

Romans 8:11 (NKJV)

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Emphasis Mine

·       The Holy Spirit will lead us to walk with Him such that the life we live does not bring shame (condemnation). Therefore we ought to walk by His leadership, not by the flesh

Romans 8:1 (NKJV)

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

Emphasis Mine

·       Children of God ought to abide by some roles – a life lived in the Word that leads to freedom.

Romans 8:4 (NKJV)

that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

·       When you walk with the Holy Spirit, you enjoy peace

Romans 8:6 (NKJV)

For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

·       We enjoy freedom as well.

2 Corinthians 3:17 (NKJV)

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

Emphasis Mine

Romans 8:14 (NKJV)

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

·       The Holy Spirit helps us in our infirmity.

Romans 8:26-27 (NKJV)

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

·       The Holy Spirit is able to lead us and teach us from within.

·       The Holy Spirit is able to comfort us from inside.

·       The Holy Spirit helps us to live from one level of glory to another (2 Corinthians 3:18). Colossians 1:27 (NKJV)…Christ in you, the hope of glory.

·       The Holy Spirit exposes the Word to us.

Speaking In Tongues

            What Is Speaking In Tongues?

Speaking in tongues is a Spiritual utterance (the Holy Spirit gives you a sound from within) and you utter it (release it). If the Spirit gives you a sound and you do not utter it, you would not speak in tongues.

Acts 2:4 (NKJV)

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Emphasis Mine

Acts 19:6 (NKJV)

And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

Emphasis Mine

Importance of Speaking in Tongues

·       Speaking in tongues is the most important access we have into the realms of the Spirit. It is the gateway to the supernatural.

·       If you speak in tongues, you will walk in the Spirit. It is the easiest way to do so.

·       Speaking in tongues will help you walk in the gifts of the Spirit and mature quickly in the fruit of the Spirit.

·       Revelations will come easy when your spiritual eyes are open as a result of speaking in tongues.

Purpose of Speaking in Tongues

·       Speaking in tongues is for self- edification (building you up, charging up the Spirit man).

1 Corinthians 14:4 (NKJV)

He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

Emphasis Mine

Jude 1:20 (NKJV)

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,

Emphasis Mine

Romans 8:25-26 (NKJV)

But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. Likewise, the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Emphasis Mine

Speaking in tongues is only for believers ONLY

·       Every believer ought to speak in tongues as a sign. In order to do so, submit yourselves to teachings on this topic and your understanding of the teachings will help take you to the next level.

Mark 16:17 (NKJV)

And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name, they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;

Emphasis Mine

Where Is the Holy Spirit?

-As recorded, the Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost and there are no recordings of His return (going back).

Acts 2:1-4 NKJV

     When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Emphasis Mine

-For the believer, the Holy Spirit lives in us and with us.

Colossians 1:27 (NKJV)

To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Emphasis Mine

- We have been sealed with Him

Ephesians 1:13 (NKJV)

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.

Emphasis Mine

Tracing The Holy Spirit Through Some Old Testament Scriptures

            -The Holy Spirit was present from the very beginning of creation.

Genesis 1:2 (NKJV)

The earth was without form, and void, and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. The Holy Spirit is not a new idea for this generation or dispensation.

Emphasis Mine

-This scripture talks about the attributes of the Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 11:2 (NKJV)

The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him,

The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The Spirit of counsel and might,

The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.

-Our fruitfulness in life depends on the Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 32:15 (NKJV)

Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, And the fruitful field is counted as a forest.

Emphasis Mine

The Purpose Of The Holy Spirit to The Believer And Unbeliever

The purpose of the Holy Spirit to the believer

       To abide with you forever.

(…that He may abide with you forever John 14:16c NKJV), (…and make Our home with him. John 14:23e NKJV) - To make home, to remain.

       To dwell with you.

(…or He dwells with you… John 14:17d NKJV) - To live with you.

       To be in you.

 (…will be in you. John 14:17d NKJV).

Note: We are looking at two aspects here. He will be with us (not temporarily – to remain, to make home, to live with) and in us.

       To guide us into all truth – because He is the Spirit of Truth.

(…He will guide you into all truth; John 16:13a NKJV).

       To teach you all things.

 (…He will teach you all things…John 14:26d NKJV).

       To bring to your remembrance all things that Jesus Christ has said to you

(…and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. John 14:26e NKJV).

       To convict the world of righteousness, and of judgment.

(…and of righteousness, and of judgment:   of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.  John 16:8c/d, vs 10, vs 11 NKJV).

       To glorify Christ.

(He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you. John 16:14-15 NKJV).

The purpose of the Holy Spirit to the unbeliever

       To convict of sin (…He will convict the world of sin…: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; John 16:8b, vs 9 NKJV)

Who Is The Holy Spirit?

·

·       The Holy Spirit is a “Person” because the Word of God refers to the Holy Spirit as “He”.

John 14:16-17 (NKJV)

And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever - the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

Emphasis Mine

·       The Holy Spirit is a gift to us from the Father.

John 14:16b (NKJV)

“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever”.

Emphasis Mine

·       He is the Helper given to us.

John 14:16 (NKJV)

“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever”

Emphasis Mine

Who Can Receive The Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit can only be received by a person who chooses to be born-again.

·       Those who have accepted Jesus Christ into their lives (salvation). When you get born-again, you receive the Holy Spirit.

John 14:17 (NKJV)

the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

Note:

Believers are categorized as those who love Jesus Christ and keep His commands (it should be noted that before Christ said He will pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit, He mentioned in John 14:15 that “If you love Me, keep My commandments”). Then He moves on to pray for the gift of the Holy Spirit.