Men of the Spirit and the School of the Spirit

In 1937 Johan O. Smith wrote an article in Skjulte Skatter about the high school on Mt. Zion. He concludes the article in this way: “Let there now be a great influx of students to this school on the top of the mountain. New students are accepted at the high school every day. They meet outside of the camp with an upright heart and a listening ear, and they report to Him who speaks from heaven.” Heb. 12:22-25 and 13:13.

How glorious it is that today we too, have the opportunity to receive an education at this high school of the Spirit where we are trained to become kings and priests for our God. “People of high standing do not have access to this school, but those who are poor in spirit thrive with the strong nourish­ment they receive here. Pure, undefiled milk and later solid food ensure that no one is malnourished,” Johan O. Smith writes. Poverty of spirit opens your ear for the Spirit’s teach­ing, and you are taught how to forge spiritual weapons that are mighty through God for tearing down strongholds and every thought and high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of Christ.

In the days when people’s thoughts and intentions were only evil all day long, Noah lived a godly life. In all things, he did as God said, and he walked in the Spirit of fear. He had intimate fellowship with God, and God was able to warn him. That brought salvation for him and all his house. In our time, men of the Spirit also understand what is working in Christ. They have an ear to hear what the Spirit is speaking to the churches, and therefore, as good stewards, they can bring the right food at the right time. Johan O. Smith writes in one of his letters: “You write: ‘There is something in the wind.’ Yes, I have noticed the same thing in Horten and elsewhere. I be­lieve we ought to steer a steady course and continue in our appointed ministry before God’s face—not compromising in one area, but remaining faithful in the light God has given, even if everything seems to be going awry. We must simply obey the Spirit without the slightest regard for people. What­ever cannot stand, let it fall. We must be prepared to intervene as the need arises—whenever, wherever, whoever. The Spirit must have free reign with us, and we needn’t fear the conse­quences.”

Only when the Spirit has full control of us are we able to take action according to His promptings and have the neces­sary strength to rebuke the sins of our generation. Eli lacked this strength. He did not correct his sons. His ear had become deaf, and he fell away from his glorious ministry. Only when we are free from people and from relatives and friends ac­cording to the flesh are we able to serve God in His Spirit. Those who would grow up into such a work must crucify all vanity, high-mindedness and cowardice. They hate all sin, which creates separation or distance and hinders them from hearing the voice of their Bridegroom. They are ruthless in their battle against sin and evil. At the same time, they are full of mercy and goodness. This is a glorious combination that a person learns in the school on Mt. Zion.

In the circumstances of life, these men and women allow themselves to be formed in the fire of humiliation. As a result, they are freed from all the bonds that bind them to a carnal life. They have received their education in the Spirit’s school and are totally reconciled with being humiliated. They are rec­onciled to the fact that spirit powers and the rulers of this present darkness will try to oppress them. They are also con­vinced in their hearts that these spirit powers cannot shake them. They have the ability to suffer in the flesh, and there­fore they are full of the oil of gladness. They are convinced in the innermost depths of their hearts that God is alive and that His way is perfect, so they are not anxious. They come into the same trials of life that everyone else does, but they trust in God who knows all things, and who hides them in His taber­nacle on the evil day. The poorer we are in spirit, the more our ear is opened to the instructions from the Spirit that are so far removed from all competition and envy.

Let us find our place and come to rest in the body of Christ! In the body we are guided away from all arrogance and high­mindedness and from all the unrest that comes from seeking power, honor and position. Let us turn our eyes and ears in­ward and not be occupied with everything that is going on inside the camp. Then the Spirit of power will be established within us. If, in the circumstances of life, we discover that we are heavy-laden, then it is humility to cast on the Lord those things that are weighing us down. Then evil spirits will not gain power over us.

It is a tragedy when a person has heard this preaching for many years, but has not personally benefited from the in­struction and training of the Spirit. A person like this has not grown up to become a man of the Spirit. He must humble himself under this fact and then determine in his heart and say to God, “I will serve you, God, as far as you give me grace and power. I have not listened; I have not been humble enough; I have been so busy with all my own matters that I have not had my ear opened, nor has my spirit been made alive. I will take it in a completely different way from now on.”

This attitude is well pleasing to God, and it will result in anointing and blessing.

Let us listen to correction and incline our ear to the instruc­tion of the Spirit. In the Spirit’s school we are taught by Jesus, the Mediator of a new covenant, and by God who is the Judge of all. This is instruction at the highest level, and it gives us first-hand knowledge of the heavenly, eternal treasures. It gives us value and dignity together with the Son for time and eternity. These deafened ears cause there to be few visions and little of the Spirit of revelation. Everyone who trusts in his own understanding in spiritual situations goes astray.