The Word of God tells us man's history; how God has dealt with man down through the ages; and what God requires of man. As a people, we are ever seeking knowledge. As Christians we are called to walk a different path from those around us in the world. We are called to follow Christ, in life... and if need be in death... To walk by faith and not by sight.

One of the greatest hindrances in our pursuit of knowing God, is that of listening to men more than we listen to God. We look to those around us for answers, instead of going to the source of all wisdom and knowledge. There are multitudes of people who consider themselves to be very knowledgeable concerning spiritual matters. They are very confident that they have the answers. A problem arises, however, if one looks too closely at their fruit. We should all be 'fruit inspectors.' Our own walk can be greatly helped or hindered by who we look to for answers.

God never charged us to seek answers from men. God never charged us to accumulate knowledge, or to study religion. Jesus said, "I Am The WAY, I Am The TRUTH, I Am The LIFE, no man cometh to the Father except by ME." Do we really want to come to the Father? All down through the ages, from Adam to the present, God has called out to man... and man has rejected God. Today we are born into this world in a fallen state. Separated form God, for the Word tells us that no unclean thing can come into His presence. And unless we are washed in the cleansing blood of Jesus, we are an unclean thing. After we have received the free gift of salvation, we then are required to walk in 'newness of life.' Not according to any denominational creed of man, but according to newness of life found in Christ. "Behold, old things pass away, all things become new." All the teachings in the seminary's and religious institutions in the world cannot bring about newness of life... cannot produce a radical change in us. There is one way that this change can come about and be lasting and genuine. That way is when we submit to Christ's LORDSHIP in our lives... when we learn to be led by the Holy Spirit in every aspect of our daily life.

We are in possession of all manner of knowledge... But very little fruit.

What is it that we are lacking? Many, unable to bear up under the resulting frustration from their lack, have chosen to rationalize and explain away God's Word through carnal reasoning... "O, that was just for the Apostle's day," or "God doesn't expect us to be perfect, so we needn't bother trying." "A Just God wouldn't send anybody to hell, I just can't believe that." These are just examples of some of the justifications and reasoning's men claim. There is something grossly out of line with what we ourselves believe, and what we teach others to believe. In what areas of our life do we need help? What is wrong with the knowledge we so proudly cling to? Why aren't we seeing more Christians living victorious, overcoming lives?

The problem is very simple. It's our relationship. There is nothing in this life more important than our relationship with God. There is a very prevalent misconception concerning salvation and the baptism with the Holy Spirit. The misconception is this... 'that we have already arrived.'

When we are filled with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking with tongues, our Father has given us the tools we need to begin our journey... by no means have we already arrived at our destination. Our journey is to progressively learn to be led and instructed by God's Spirit within, in our inner man. Our destination is to become fully mature... full stature sons of God... walking in the full manifestation of the guidance, power and authority of God... doing and saying what we hear and see our Father doing and saying.

What the prophet said in Hosea 4:6 "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge," is as pertinent today as it was all those ages ago. When I was 17, I had a hunger to know more of God. I was restless and seeking for something which I couldn't define, I just knew deep down that there was more than what I had. I went to the Pastor's wife to seek help. The poor woman had no idea what I was talking about. She said, "But Cathy, your saved and speak in tongues, that's all there is, you should be helping the younger ones get to where your at." I was dumbfounded. I remember thinking to myself, "Why should I help them get to where I'm at, I'm miserable!"

Her response was all too representative of the mentality of most Christians today. We receive salvation and the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and everyone smiles and stand back and say, "Congratulations brother/sister, now you've arrived. Now go out and get to work." Then, as long as you faithfully attend Church, pay your tithes, actively participate in all of their programs and projects, that is all that God asks of you. Most people today would be at a loss to answer the question, "What else does God require?" "What does God want...from us?"

He wants the same things from us that we want from our own children. He wants, first and foremost, our love and our obedience. He wants us to learn the life-lessons that we must learn, not merely to survive... but to actually succeed. He wants for us to be obedient, and He will administer correction when we step out of line. He wants for us to prepare ourselves, for the life work He has uniquely qualified each one of us to perform (each and every believer has a special position in Christ's body). There are rules in God's household. Even as babies, we begin teaching our children the rules of the house. Even so we, as members of God's family, must learn the rules of His household. We must learn what is appropriate and inappropriate behavior... we must learn what will bring reward, and what will bring rebuke. The Word of God holds the guidelines for growing up, within it's covers from Genesis through Revelation. We need to search out those guidelines and find out for ourselves the rules of the house.

Just as with our own children, over the years we will literally tell them thousands of things, trying to teach them. Though they hear us, they don't always comprehend or take to heart much of what we say. It seems that the lessons best learned, are the lessons learned the hard way... the ones that involve pain and suffering... those we remember vividly. When we receive the Holy Spirit... is when schooling really begins in earnest. God gives us His Holy Spirit to teach us. Jesus tells us in John 16:13-14 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.

It is our responsibility to learn to listen to the voice of the Spirit, and allow Him to teach us and lead us into all truth. The purpose of the Holy Spirit is not just so we can speak with other tongues. Speaking in other tongues is not an end in itself. We need the Holy Spirit to guide us, to bear witness to what is of God from what is an imitation of God... to teach us to recognize that still, small voice above the clamoring, strident voice of 'reason.' To open our understanding to spiritual things and direct our steps. This is when spiritual school really begins. Here is where being a 'fruit inspector' can be beneficial. Our confidence should be placed in God; our trust in the voice of the Spirit to our inner man. To do that requires that we submit to His working in our lives. It is much easier to place our trust in our leaders or church doctrines which are more tangible and popularly supported... than the operations of the Spirit. Walking by the Spirit may result in our looking foolish in the eyes of men. It may bring reproach, especially when the Spirit leads you to walk in opposition to popular opinion.

Modern man wants a 'feel good religion,' free from any conflict or hardship. That of course, is not scriptural, but a purely fleshly desire. 2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. With the increased spiritual darkness in the world, we see the Gospel of Christ becoming more and more watered down, twisted and fragmented, to the point where you could find a way to substantiate any teaching using scripture, or at least parts of verses. If you want to be popular, then don't make waves and rock the boat. If you want the fullness of God in your life, you may have to get out of the boat altogether.

This is a clarion call to rebellion. Not a carnally motivated rebellion, we see them in the world all around us. No, this is a call to rebel against being complacent and lukewarm. A rebellion against calling that which is carnal... Holy. A rebellion against living a defeated, frustrated spiritual life. God is calling out to His people. He is warning us to prepare ourselves. He is coming back to establish HIS KINGDOM in the earth. We are not ready for what God is about to do. It is up to each one of us, individually, to make the choice. Which path will we choose to walk down? The wide easy road of popular opinion? Or the narrow, seldom traveled road of faith and obedience?

The Holy Spirit is the only One that can lead you to a victorious Christian walk. Will you heed His promptings, or like a rebellious child turn and go in the opposite direction? If this paper has stirred up some self-righteous indignation, then it's done what the LORD intended. He is calling out to wake His own out of the comfortable, complacent slumbers. The Church is not ready to face persecution. We are not read to stand on our own if we suddenly loose those we lean on for guidance. We desperately need to get into the Word of God for ourselves. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to quicken the hidden secrets contained therein to our understanding. And above all else, we need to zealously pursue our own relationship with God. Today, He is walking in this 'fallen garden' calling out our names, asking "Where are you?" Can you hear Him? Will you respond? Or are you too naked and ashamed to come to the God of all creation when He calls? Do you have a fire burning within, to know God? Do you desire above all else... to dwell in His presence? Or is a little religious fix on Sunday morning enough to carry you through till next week? Do you know what the oil was that the five virgins had in their lamps? And how to obtain it for yourself? If suddenly everyone who had told you what to believe were taken out of your life, would you know what to do? Have you yet learned to hear the voice of the Spirit speak within your own heart? Are you walking in all the light you have already received?

These are all questions each and every one of us need to honestly be able to answer. The answers will make all the difference in this world, and in the world to come. If you are born again and filled with the Holy Spirit, you have all the tools you need to be an overcomer. You have the resident power of the Godhead within you. Now is the time to press in, and seek for all that God has for you. Don't listen to any other voices. Learn to discern the still, small voice of the Spirit, from all the other voices that will come against what the Spirit is saying. Walk in obedience, putting down your flesh and carnal mind. And you will be victorious!

You can be sure that the enemy's camp is preparing. The average, Sunday only Christian in America today, wouldn't even be able to stand up and refute a committed New Ager. These people believe in their delusions. They are sold-out to the other side, and seeking after it's powers. If it should come to a confrontation, the average milk-toast believer would leave bloody and defeated. If you don't have a solid, living relationship with God you are powerless. If you don't know the Word of God, firsthand, you have no weapons. (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) 2 Corinthians 10:4

We are called to fight the good fight of faith. God has already given us all the tools we need, but we have to utilize them. He is not going to send an angel down to dress you and hold your shield and sword for you. Jesus paid the price. He set the example we are to follow. We have the responsibility to know what we believe and why we believe it. And then to walk in it by faith. The other side has been preparing... and have already made great strides... even infiltrating the Church with their teachings (positive thinking for starters). Now is the time to get on the straight and narrow path, veering neither to the right hand nor to the left. Now is the time for the believer's in this country to get serious about believing. Troublous times are coming. God is telling all with ears to hear, "Prepare, for the time is short."

We all need to seek God's face with our whole heart. He will lead us into all truth; but only as we trust and obey. May we submit to His processing's, and be ready and waiting at His appearing.