THERE IS AN INSTRUCTION FROM GOD to His children of faith, because the old man is still active even though he has been bound. This is a strong reprimand from God to those He has selected and have become His believers. He repeats to them the new ways set for them through the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, because what man utters is either counted for him or against him. He who has not yet had his tongue tethered by not uttering a bad word remains under observation. The Apostle Paul comes forward here as the teacher of generations holding it against every man if he utters a word not included in the way of holiness and faithfulness to the cross to be checked on the spot.

As is expected when the brethren meet together then failings immediately begin. As he who has not yet completed his membership in Christ will return without realizing it to the times of ignorance and utter words undisciplined by the Holy Spirit. It is known that the Holy Spirit is very sensitive, judging the faithful for every tendency towards dissolution and deceptive words. St Paul here is decisive as an experienced teacher ordering the matter should be carried out on the spot: that a bad word must not come out of the mouth of a believer in Christ called to salvation. The Apostle Paul supposes that the matter here is dangerous as it requires the speaker to have learnt righteousness and spoken it, thus speaking as the Spirit has given him to utter, in a way and order suited in building the soul, and at the same time when the faithful hear him they will see that his words are definitely useful to their development.

The serious matter here is that the Holy Spirit is present, so that if he sees that the words answer the requirements of the Holy Spirit the seal of salvation will be sealed through merit. While if they are joking and dissolute words the Holy Spirit is sad and will no more act. We are therefore responsible for the sadness or joy of the Holy Spirit. The matter is extremely clear: if a believer feels that the Spirit has been actually quenched giving advice nor grace anymore, then man must judge himself and offer a strong apology because the Spirit cannot easily act unless it is sure that the milieu has become conformable to Him.

Waiting for the day of deliverance in which the Holy Spirit will be revealed is the day the Lord will appear when those who were sealed will also appear with Him in glory.1

It is required from the Church of God, that was offered the action of the Holy Spirit and in which the faithful entered abundantly, not to speak except through the guidance of the Spirit, as a new creation, so as not to depart whatsoever from the way of the Spirit given to it as a new creation. Thus goes the construction, one begins and the other completes.

July 3, 2005

1 Cf Col 3:4.

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