"
Those who have not the Holy Spirit, or who do not heed Him, fall
easily and naturally into formalism, substituting lifeless
ceremonies, sacraments, genuflections, and ritualistic performances
for the free, glad, living worship inspired by the indwelling
Spirit. They sing, but not from the heart. They say their prayers,
but they do not really pray. "I prayed last night, mother," said a
child. "Why, my child, you pray every night!" replied the mother.
"No," said the child, "I only said prayers, but last night I really
prayed." And his face shone. He had opened his heart to the Holy
Spirit, and had at last really talked with God and worshipped.
But those who receive the Holy Spirit may fall into fanaticism,
unless they follow the command of John to "try the spirits,
whether they are of God."
We are commanded to "despise not prophesyings," but at the same
time we are commanded to "prove all things." "Many false prophets
are gone out into the world," and, if possible, will lead us
astray. So we must beware. As some one has written, we must
"Believe not every spirit; regard not, trust not, follow not,
every pretender to the Spirit of God, or every professor of
vision, or inspiration, or revelation from God."
The higher and more intense the life, the more carefully must it
be guarded, lest it be endangered and go astray. It is so in the
natural world, and likewise in the spiritual world.
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