Fruitful Living
Testing for genuine baptism in the Spirit
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentile. – Acts 10:44-45.
INTRODCUTION
God’s Word directs and instructs those who believe in and follow Christ to use godly discernment (i.e., wisdom that brings true understanding) and make proper judgements about all things that might appear to be from the Holy Spirit. “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God” – 1 John 4:1.
The following Biblical principles give guidance when we are trying to determine whether a person who claims or appears to have been baptised in the Holy Spirit has truly had an experience from God.
1. A genuine baptism in the Holy Spirit will inspire us to love, honour and worship God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ more than before. It is the Holy Spirit who causes love for God to grow in our hearts. “And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” – Romans 5:5. But any spiritual experience that draws our attention, prayers, worship or affections toward anything or anyone other than God and the Lord Jesus is not from God.
2. A genuine baptism in the Holy Spirit will make us more attentive to our relationship with the heavenly Father, assuring us that He loves and cares for us as His children. It also will lead to a greater awareness of Christ’s presence in our daily lives. But any spiritual experience that does not result in a deeper friendship with Christ and a deeper awareness of God’s care and companionship is not from God.
3. A genuine baptism in the Holy Spirit will cause a greater love for and appreciation of God’s Word. The Spirit of truth inspired those who wrote God’s Word to write exactly what God wanted to communicate, and He will deepen our love for and devotion to the truth of God’s Word. But any spiritual experience that does not increase our hunger to read and obey God’s Word is not from God.
4.A genuine baptism in the Holy Spirit will deepen our love and concern for other followers of Christ. True Christian companionship and community must be based on unity that comes from the Spirit. But any spiritual experience that hinders or lessens our love for those who truly aim to follow Jesus as the authority in their lives is not from God.
5.A genuine baptism in the Holy Spirit must be preceded by true repentance (admitting and turning from our own sinful way and surrendering to Christ) and by faithful obedience to Christ. “Peter replied, “Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” – Acts 2:38.The spiritual effects and influence of the baptism in the Spirit will continue only as long as we allow God’s Spirit to keep purifying our lives, developing our character and preparing us for God’s purposes. This includes depending on the Holy Spirit to lead us and to help us overcome the sinful tendencies of our human nature – to “put to death the misdeeds of the body” and to be “led by the Spirit of God”. But any person who has not accepted Christ’s forgiveness and been set free from sin (being led by the desire of his or her own sinful nature) cannot experience a true baptism in the Holy Spirit. Any power that appears to be on that person is from another source and is likely the deceptive activity of Satan.
6.A genuine baptism in the Holy Spirit will increase our dissatisfaction with nay activities that offend God and defy His spiritually pure nature. It will also turn us from the selfish pursuit of earthly riches and reputation. But any spiritual experience that allows the acceptance of ungodly beliefs behaviours and lifestyles that are common in the world is not from God. This is because the true followers of Christ “have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God”.
7.A genuine baptism in the Holy Spirit will give us a greater desire and power to spread the message about forgiveness, spiritual salvation and the gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. But any spiritual experience that does not result in a greater desire to see others come to know Christ personally is not from God.
8. A genuine baptism in the Holy Spirit will cause us to be more open and receptive to the Spirit’s work and purposes within the church as a whole (among all Christ’s true followers) and in our individual lives. This includes the exercise of spiritual gifts (special God-given abilities for the purpose of honouring Him and benefiting others), particularly the gift of speaking in tongues, which is presented in Acts as the initial outward sign of the baptism in the Holy Spirit. “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” – Acts 2:4
9.A genuine baptism in the Holy Spirit will cause us to be more conscious of the work, guidance and presence of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives. After being baptised in the Spirit, followers of Christ were continually conscious of the Spirit’s presence power and guidance. But any spiritual experience that does not increase our awareness of the Spirit’s presence and strengthen our desire to follow His leading is not a genuine experience of God’s Spirit. In addition, anything that does not reinforce our goal to please God, to accomplish His purpose for our lives and to live in such a way that we promote His work in every respect is not from God. “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” – Ephesians 4:30; “Do not quench the Spirit” – 1 Thessalonians 5:19
COME, HOLY SPIRIT, HEAVENLY DOVE – MHB 292
1 COME, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove,
With all thy quickening powers;
Kindle a flame of sacred love
In these cold hearts of ours.
2 In vain we tune our formal songs,
In vain we strive to rise;
Hosannas languish on our tongues,
And our devotion dies.
3 And shall we then for ever live
At this poor dying rate,
Our love so faint, so cold to Thee,
And Thine to us so great!
4 Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove,
With all Thy quickening powers;
Come, shed abroad a Saviours love,
And that shall kindle ours.
Isaac Watts – 1674 – 1748
Source: Fire Bible
Stay blessed!
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In Islam, marriage is a sacred bond based on mutual love, compassion, and responsibility. The Qur’an describes spouses as “garments for one another” (Qur’an 2:187), symbolising protection, comfort, and dignity. Within this partnership, the role of the Muslim woman is vital for nurturing both the husband and the wider family.
Her responsibilities to her husband include fostering mutual respect, supporting him emotionally, safeguarding the home, and preserving his honor in his absence, as enjoined in Qur’an 4:34. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasised kindness and mutual care, reminding husbands and wives that “the best among you are those who are best to their wives” (Tirmidhi, Hadith 3895).
To her children, a Muslim woman is the first teacher and nurturer, instilling faith, morality, and discipline. Her role extends beyond physical care to building strong spiritual foundations for future generations.
For the family as a whole, she cultivates an environment of mercy, patience, and cooperation, ensuring the home remains a sanctuary of Islamic values. Thus, in marriage, the Muslim woman’s role is not one of subservience, but of partnership and leadership in nurturing a righteous family, the cornerstone of a strong society.
Influential women in early Islam
Numerous women in Islamic history shaped the faith’s intellectual, social, and political foundations:
- Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (RA): A successful merchant and the Prophet’s first wife, she financed the early Muslim community and offered emotional support during the Prophet’s first revelations (Al-Bukhari, Sahih, Book 58).
- Aisha bint Abu Bakr (RA): Among the most influential scholars of Islam, narrating over 2,000 Hadiths, and teaching companions jurisprudence, theology, and ethics (Abbott, 1985).
- Nusaybah bint Kaʿb (RA): A courageous warrior, she protected the Prophet during the Battle of Uhud (Ibn Sa’d, Kitab al-Tabaqat al-Kabir).
- Rufayda al-Aslamiyya (RA): Regarded as the first Muslim nurse, she pioneered organized medical care during battles (Al-Tabari, History of the Prophets and Kings).
These examples challenge the stereotype of passive Muslim women; instead, they reveal active participants in religious, economic, intellectual, and political life.
Contemporary challenges and misunderstandings
Although Islam introduced revolutionary rights for women, in many societies cultural traditions and patriarchal practices have overshadowed its principles. This has led to widespread misunderstandings of women’s roles.
Hijab and public life: The Qur’an commands modesty in dress and behaviour (Qur’an 24:31), but modesty is not intended as a barrier to education, professional careers, or community engagement. Many scholars emphasise that hijab symbolises dignity, identity, and moral consciousness rather than exclusion from public life (Cooke, 2004).
Women as homemakers only: While the role of a homemaker is deeply respected, Islam does not confine women to domestic spaces. Khadijah (RA), the Prophet’s first wife, was a prominent entrepreneur, and historical records show women in Medina engaging in trade and agriculture without restriction (Haddad & Esposito, 1998).
Economic dependency: Economic hardship makes exclusive dependency unrealistic. Islam permits women to work and support families, especially in cases of widowhood or financial strain (Qur’an 4:32).
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, the Author
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Throughout His ministry, Jesus modeled perfect discernment. He confronted false teaching with truth (Matthew 22:29), He discerned the motives of those around Him (Luke 5:22), and He resisted the devil’s temptations by anchoring Himself in Scripture (Matthew 4:1–11).
When faced with flattery or traps from the Pharisees, Jesus was never deceived. He saw beyond words to the intentions of the heart. His example shows us that discernment is not merely intellectual but spiritual — it is empowered by the Holy Spirit.
As His followers, we are called to walk in the same wisdom. Philippians 1:9–10 captures this prayer beautifully: “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.” (NIV)
How to live with discernment
So how do we practice discernment in our daily lives? Scripture provides practical steps:
- Renew your mind in God’s word
Just as Jesus countered temptation with Scripture, we too must fill our hearts with God’s truth. Daily reading and meditation anchor us in what is eternal.
- Guard what enters your heart
Proverbs 4:23 warns: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (NIV) Be intentional about what you read, watch, and listen to.
- Seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance
Discernment is not only mental; it is spiritual. Romans 8:14 reminds us: “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” Ask the Spirit to reveal truth and expose deception.
- Evaluate the fruit
Jesus taught us to recognise people and ideas by their fruit (Matthew 7:16). Ask: Will this produce holiness, peace, and love in my life, or will it lead to sin, compromise, and confusion?
- Walk in community
God often uses other believers to sharpen us. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Surround yourself with people who love truth and can lovingly challenge you when needed.
Illustrations of discernment
Think of Daniel in Babylon. Surrounded by a culture hostile to his faith, he discerned what to reject and what to accept. He refused the king’s food that violated God’s law (Daniel 1:8), yet he willingly studied Babylonian wisdom, using it to serve with excellence while remaining faithful to God. That balance is discernment in action.
Or consider the Bereans in Acts 17:11. They were commended because they “examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” Their discernment was not suspicion but a sincere desire to confirm truth through God’s Word.
Conclusion
To live like Jesus is to live with discernment. It is to resist the temptation of simply going along with the crowd and instead anchor every decision, thought, and influence in the truth of God’s Word.
Discernment protects us from deception, equips us to live faithfully, and enables us to shine as lights in a dark world. As Paul wrote: “Test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:21–22 (ESV)
Let us, therefore, make it our prayer to be discerning people — wise, Spirit-led, and anchored in Scripture. In doing so, we will live not just as believers in name, but as true followers of Jesus, reflecting His life in a world desperately in need of His light.
- Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee,
the author
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