2Timothy 2:14-15 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
‘Study to show thyself approved unto God.’ Among the guiding principles useful in detecting good and evil spirits, and their operations and doctrines, the outstanding ones are these (continues): [3] The Holy Spirit can be recognized in an individual’s life by the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance at all times in character and behaviour (Gal. 5:22-23). Six earmarks of a manifestation of the Holy Spirit: (1) A Christ-like spirit of love, patience, and faith in God. (2) Soberness and keenness of spiritual vision. (3) Deep humility of heart and meekness of spirit, with lion-like courage against sin, sickness, poverty, disease, discouragement, failure, and everything else causing defeat in the Christian life. (4) Absolute clearness of the mental faculties [no intoxication whatsoever in the form of alcohol or medication] and intelligent action in carrying out Biblical instructions concerning known duty and personal life as a Christian. (5) Freedom from faultfinding, surmising, whispering, and slander; and freedom from all the works of the flesh listed in Mark 7:19-21; Romans 1:24-32; 1Corinthians 6:9-11; Galatians 5:19-21 and Colossians 3:5-10. (6) Freedom from any ignorance concerning the divine will. When one is moved upon to act quickly and urgently without knowing whether the act will glorify God or not, it is better to wait and pray until it is clear beyond all doubt that God approves such action. Always remember that 1John 4:1 commands: “Try the spirits whether they are of God.”
‘Approved’ [Greek: dokimos] is translated as “approved” (2:15; Rom. 14:18; 16:10; 1Cor. 11:9; 2Cor. 10:18; 13:7) and “tried” (Jas. 1:12). The opposite of adokimos
‘Workman’ [Greek: ergates] Translated “workman” (2Tim. 2:15; Matt. 10:10; Acts 19:25); “worker” (Luke 13:27; 2Cor. 11:13; Php. 3:2); and “labourer” (Matt. 9:37-38; 20:1-2, 8; Luke 10:2, 7; 1Tim. 5:18; Jas. 5:4).
To be continued…
Living the Word 