THE TEST OF MY ART MINISTRY

'He must become greater; I must become less.'  John 3:30

The first work of the Holy Spirit is to glorify Jesus.  That which does not glorify Jesus is not of the Holy Spirit, and that which is of the Holy Spirit invariably glorifies our Lord Jesus Christ.  If something appears to be very appealing to you but does not glorify Christ then have nothing to do with it.  It is a poisonous thing, and though it may charm you for a moment, it may ruin your soul forever.  If it does not honour Christ then run from it as fast as your feet will carry you. Think carefully, too, whenever you feel you would like to support a so-called Christian cause. There are many ministries in this age purporting to be Christian but they differ greatly from one another.  A safe guide is this: the ministry that makes much of Jesus Christ is of the Holy Spirit, and the ministry which ignores Him, or keeps Him in the background, is
not of the Spirit.  If a particular form of teaching glorifies man, or even makes much of Holy Spirit to the neglect of Jesus Christ, I would warn you to be wary of it. Jesus declared, 'He [the Holy Spirit] will bring glory to me'.  John 16:14.

C.H. Spurgeon once said from his pulpit in London, 'I would rather speak five words to the glory of Christ than to be the greatest orator who ever lived.' All ministries must be subjected to this test: do they, or do they not glorify Christ? If they do not they are not of the Holy Spirit.

O Father, grant that in everything I say and do for You I might learn the art
of lifting up Jesus rather than myself.  I long to live for Your glory, not my own.
Help me to do that, my Father.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.