Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

I am speaking the truth in Christ, I am not lying; my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit

Romans 9:1 (emphasis mine)

The Talking Cricket is a character from a book who is a little bit antagonistic. Which is why he’s squished the first time we see him. No one likes being told their problems are their fault. When Disney made the book into an animated feature they made major alterations to the cricket and gone was the brusque talking cricket calling the wooden boy to personal responsibility. I am thankful Ruach HaKodesh is no cricket. Both types would drive me nuts, while Ruach HaKodesh drives me into the arms of Messiah Jesus.

Ruach HaKodesh isn’t my conscience. He isn’t there to point out every little (or big) thing that I am doing wrong. That isn’t His place, His ministry, or helpful. I think I would be likely to brush it off or get bitter about it. No one likes that voice that constantly nags. No matter how pleasant, it rubs the wrong way. Who wants that? No one. Ruach HaKodesh’s voice is consistent, but it is NOT nagging. Ruach HaKodesh’s voice is constant, but it is not irritating, frustrating, or an annoyance. It is Righteous, just, and comforting.

When Jesus started talking about Ruach HaKodesh, He framed Him as a Helper (John 14:26). Good helpers don’t nag. They don’t anger us. Good helpers (insert drum roll) HELP. Helping means constructive comments, not negative ones. Statements and instructions that build us up, not tear us down. A good helper is positive and challenges you to accept the best you that you can be. Yes, they will hold you accountable. Yes, they won’t let you ‘get away’ with things. But they’ll do it in an effective and kind way. In fact, if it isn’t positive then it probably isn’t God.

Correction is positive. It’s helping make you better. It does you NO favours to let garbage fester. But it can be done in a helpful AND in an unhelpful way. If you have something shown to you and the purpose of that showing is to make you feel guilt and to struggle, then it is not God. God doesn’t torment us. God doesn’t hang onto things. God doesn’t foster bitterness or feelings of uselessness or inadequacy. That is NOT His voice. How would that HELP? It does the opposite! It keeps you bound and blind to the way out. That will never be God (1 Corinthians 10:13). God is RIGHTEOUS. He calls us to be righteous (1 John 3:7). Us knowing right from wrong is NOT the same as being guilt-ridden. Being shown the right way of being, doing, and saying is NOT the same as being guilt-ridden. King David did a terrible thing (adultery and murder). Tried to hide it. But he was called to repentance. His response? “Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan said to David, “Now the Lord has put away your sin; you shall not die” (2 Samuel 12:13). Now there were consequences and David called out for them to be lifted (Psalm 51), but he accepted the judgment. When it was enacted, David went on with life. He did not wallow in guilt. And HE didn’t have Ruach HaKodesh in the way we do. Ruach HaKodesh doesn’t guilt trip us. He helps us unpack our bags and live.

He isn’t responsible for our behaviour. Ruach HaKodesh is here within us to show us the righteousness of Jesus and how we can live in it in Jesus. How we can trust in Jesus. How we can rest in Jesus. It’s the devil who tries to keep our lives on a permanent replay. Jesus doesn’t do that. Neither does Ruach HaKodesh. He brings something to mind, shows us how to deal with it, how to get the light of Jesus on it, how to learn from the Word about it, and once repentance has happened and it is dealt with, it is over. Adonai NEVER brings it up again. It’s finished. Dwelling and rehashing and throwing things into faces is not helping. It’s not encouragement. It’s not supportive. It’s not loving. It’s not God.

Our conscience is made up of our values and sense of right and wrong. That comes from the individual revelation that we’ve received. That will be based on how much renewal our minds have had. We get that through the Word (Romans 12:2) and what Ruach HaKodesh has said to us in our hearts and minds about it (John 16:13). WE have a conscience. We ALSO have Ruach HaKodesh dwelling inside us. Two things, distinctly different, and once again, I am SO THANKFUL that He is NOT a cricket.

Daily Affirmation of the Goodness of Elohim: Psalm 84:11-12

“Because Yahweh God is a sun and a shield;
Yahweh gives grace and honor. He does not withhold good from those who walk blamelessly. O Yahweh of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts you.” When we submit ourselves to the ministry of Ruach HaKodesh, we have a voice that is constantly talking in our direction. It is up to us whether or not we listen. It is up to us whether or not we apply what we are hearing. We have a rudder that will turn us in the way that we should turn. A guiding Light to help us see the direction Adonai wants us to walk. To help us be able to read the Word with His commentary being spoken to us. That Word rightfully engaged while we rest on our trust in Jesus is what enables us to walk blamelessly because it is always giving us course correction and showing us if there’s something impeding us. He is SO GOOD to us. Not just giving us the tools for right standing before Him, by showing us HOW to do it. That IS a shield.

Your Daily Confession of Elohim’s Goodness:

I taste and see that Yahweh is good; I am blessed because I take refuge in Him.

Psalm 34:8