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Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:32 I believe that this verse not only pertains to Jesus in reference to us being set free from eternal damnation, but also being free from the bondage of sin. Habitual sin will have devastating effects on one’s relationships including family, work, church and the most important, the relationship with God. Do not put out the Spirits fire; I Thessalonians 5:19 (some versions “quench” the Spirit) And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30 Quenching is what we do to the Holy Spirit, grieving is how he responds.
John MacArthur has some rich insight on this subject, he says; “What does the Holy Spirit want to do in me that I can quench? Very simply stated, He wants to move you along a path to ever increasing holiness. Did you understand that? He wants to move you along a path to ever increasing holiness. What does holy mean? Separate. He wants to separate you further and further from sin and the further you get away from sin the closer you get to God. It’s just a process of separation. He wants to produce in you the decreasing frequency of sin, the decreasing power of temptation, the decreasing preoccupation with the world, the decreasing victimization to the flesh and increase your longings for God. That’s the progress of sanctification. That’s a movement toward holiness. That is His work. But you can quench it. How? Fail to study the Word to show yourself approved unto God. Mishandle the Scripture, don’t rightly divide it. Don’t receive it with humility, as James 1:21 says. You can quench the Spirit by not applying it in your life so that you become a hearer and not a doer. You can quench it by not hiding it in your heart, by not searching it diligently, by not desiring it and you can quench it by not letting it dwell in you richly, as Paul said in Colossians 3. You can quench it by not accepting the difficulties of life, being bitter and angry, by not being prayerful and not enjoying the communion of God. You can quench that work of the Spirit by not being worshipful, by not being willing to cast your care upon Him. You can quench that work of the Spirit by operating on your fleshly power, as sticking with your human resources and saying, “I’m not going to go to God for anything, I’ve got all I need, I can handle myself.” You quench it by feeling inadequate, by not trusting God’s love and saying, “If I go He doesn’t love me.” Or not trusting His supply, “He doesn’t have what I need.” Any of those and more would cause you to quench that work of the Spirit.”
So how will we know the truth and be set free you say? The answer is in verse 31; To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.” John 8:31 Hold to the teaching of Jesus is how you will be set free from habitual sin. Allow the Spirit to work in your life in the process of sanctification. Study the Word to show yourself approved unto God. Apply it to your life so that you become a doer and not just a hearer. Desire the word, hide it in your heart (study it until it becomes a part of who you are). Praywithout ceasing, casting all your cares upon Him, surrendering control of your life to Him.
Are you holding on to His teaching? Vertical focus, not horizontal! For His praise and His Glory!
