There is no human being on this earth, who has never been disappointed. Disappointments occur regularly. Some people can become so disappointed, that it causes incomprehension, agitation, angriness, grief, bitterness and sometimes even hatred. But what causes disappointments? Because if you know the cause, then you will be able to prevent disappointments, right? Disappointments are caused by an expectation that isn’t met and/or a wrong image that is created in the mind of a person, that doesn’t correspond with the truth and reality.
This can be a certain expectation of yourself, other people (the expectation you have of your child(ren), parents, family members, friends, acquaintances, colleagues, neighbours etc.), family life, work, life in general, the future, faith and even of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
The expectation of other people
When we look at the expectation that people have towards others, most people have the tendency to compare others to themselves. They use themselves as the standard of measurement. The way they are, and how they think, act and behave is what they also expect of others. They think highly of themselves and consider themselves as being perfect. Therefore they expect others to be and act like them. They have exceptions of others and expect things of others, that the other person doesn’t possess and is not able to fulfill. Therefore the other person is not able to meet their expectations.
This proves, that they don’t really know the other person, but they think they know the other person. What happens is, that as soon as the other person does something that isn’t according to their will and doesn’t meet their expectation, they become disappointed, irritated and angry. While the other person doesn’t have a clue and doesn’t understand why they suddenly react differently, have a change of attitude and treat the other person differently than before. This all derives from a false expectation of a person, which comes forth out of selfishness. The other person has to do, what they expect them to do. If the other person doesn’t meet their expectations, then the other person has to change.
If a person has no expectations of others and stop measuring and comparing others to themselves, but instead respect others and their decisions and the way they are, then a person wouldn’t become disappointed in others anymore and will not become irritated, frustrated and angry.
That’s why it’s a good thing to respect others and accept them for who they are and don’t have any expectations towards them. If you don’t have any expectations of other people, then you will not become disappointed, frustrated, bitter and angry, but you shall live in freedom.
The expectation of a job
The same principle applies to a job. You can have a new job and have created a certain image and expectation of your job and your colleagues. But when the reality and your experience doesn’t correspond with the image and expectation you have created, you can become disappointed.
The expectation of life
When your life doesn’t go the way you planned or if suddenly something happens in your life that impacts your future then you can become disappointed.
You can become so disappointed, frustrated and angry, that it causes feelings of depression. Only because you have created an image and had an expectation of your future and your life, but didn’t consider the fact, that things may not always go the way you planned and want them to go.
The expectation of the faith
It even happens that believers become disappointed. Because they have certain expectations and have created an image of the faith, God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, pastors, and fellow believers, that don’t correspond with the truth, reality, and their experience.
This can happen, due to wrong teachings; false doctrines that are preached from the pulpit, that present another gospel and not the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Because of that, believers have created a wrong image and false expectation of the faith, God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and fellow believers. When the reality doesn’t line up with their image and doesn’t meet their expectations, they become disappointed and many times leave the faith. But this phenomenon already happened in the Bible.
The expectation of God
Throughout the whole Bible, we read about the expectations of people and their disappointments. When we look at the Old Testament and look at the exodus of the carnal people of God, who lived after the flesh, we see that they had a certain expectation of God. During the exodus from Egypt and during the time in the wilderness, the people of God had a certain expectation of their God. They had created an image of God that didn’t correspond with the reality.
They had lived their whole lives in Egypt and were familiar with their gods, culture and customs. They saw how the Egyptians worshipped their gods and how they lived.
When God redeemed His people from the oppression of Pharaoh and led them to the promised land, they expected God to be like the visible gods of Egypt, and that He would act according to their will.
They had expected a visible God, who would provide in all the things they wanted to have. They had created a carnal image of their God that didn’t correspond with the true God and His nature.
Due to the fact, that they didn’t and couldn’t submit themselves to an invisible God, Who didn’t meet their expectations, they became disappointed in God over and over again.
Their disappointments became visible by their complaining and murmurings. They didn’t see how God provided for them and they didn’t see and appreciate all the signs and wonders He performed before their eyes. They didn’t see how prosperous and blessed they were because God was with them. No, they didn’t see all these wonderful things.
Instead, they only saw the things that were missing and the things that didn’t go according to their will and didn’t meet their expectation.
They had created a false image of their Saviour and Redeemer that didn’t correspond with the reality and the way God is. Due to the fact, that they had created a false image that derived from their expectations, and they couldn’t let go of this false image and their expectations, they stayed rebellious towards God and lost their lives.
God promised His people the Messiah, Who would redeem them from the oppression of the devil. However, His people had a different expectation of their Messiah, and that’s why many Jews are still waiting for the coming of their Messiah.
The expectation of Jesus
When Jesus, the Messiah, came, the people of God expected Him to redeem Israel from the power and oppression of the Roman empire. But Jesus came for a spiritual redemption of the old man and not a carnal redemption. The expectation of God’s people didn’t correspond with the reality and the image that they had created of their Christ. That’s why many became disappointed in Jesus and rejected Him.
Jesus revealed Himself as the Son of God in preaching the Kingdom of God and representing the Kingdom of God by the many signs and wonders, He performed before the eyes of the people. But while He did all these things, many people still didn’t believe in Him as the Christ and their Messiah, Who God had send to the earth.
But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: That the saying of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Isaiah said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. These things said Isaiah, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God (Jn 12:37-43)
But Jesus not only preached and brought the Kingdom of God of God, but He also testified of the evil works of the world, and not everyone appreciated that (Jn 7:7).
His disciples, except the twelve, left Him after Jesus spoke hard words to them. They were not able to follow Him any longer (Jn 6:60-66) There were many Jews, who did believe in Him when they heard Him speak. But when Jesus continued speaking with them, they also left Him and even tried to stone Him (Jn 8:30-59). Of course, there were also Jews, who did believe in Him and followed Him. But the majority didn’t believe in Him as the Christ and the Son of the living God.
Although Jesus represented God on this earth, many (including the religious leaders) accused Him of being possessed (i.e. Jn 7:20, 8:48, 52, 10:20). They accused Him of blasphemy, by violating the Sabbath, remission of sin (Mat 9:3, Mar 2:7) and because Jesus called God His own Father and made Himself equal to God (Jn 5:1-18, Jn 9:16). That’s why they, including the religious leaders, tried to catch Him many times (Jn 10:31), tried to stone Him (Jn 10:31) and kill Him, which they eventually did.
The expectation of the Holy Spirit
Even in these days, we see that the image of the Holy Spirit that is created in the mind of many believers doesn’t correspond with Whom He really is. Many believers want to feel and experience Him, while the Holy Spirit is not carnal, but spirit. That’s why He doesn’t reveal Himself and act in the flesh of the carnal man but in the spirit of the new man. He has nothing to do with feelings, emotions and certain manifestations in the natural realm. But because of the fact, that many believers have been taught that certain manifestations in the natural realm or a certain feeling or emotion is the work of the Holy Spirit, many think that they have and experience the Holy Spirit. But the presence of the Holy Spirit is not measured by feelings, emotions, and manifestations in the flesh, but by the transformation and obedience to the Word and the fruit of the Spirit.
The devil is an imitator of God, and as soon as a believer opens himself/herself for carnal manifestations he is down on it like a flash. Because when during a service, young people and adults begin to act like animals and start making animal sounds, and waddle and cluck like chickens, they consider this a manifestation of the Holy Spirit. But the Holy Spirit is not an animal and a human being is not an animal and shall never become an animal. Who compares animals with human beings? Exactly, the devil. Because the devil claim that people derive from apes.
Since we don’t read anything in the Bible about Jesus, who was filled with the Holy Spirit, nor about the other apostles, who were also filled with the Holy Spirit, acting like chickens, we must reject this manifestation on the basis of the Word. We shouldn’t consider this manifestation as a manifestation of the Holy Spirit, but as a demonic manifestation in the flesh.
The devil works in the flesh; the soul and body. Therefore if people open themselves for the spiritual world and enter the spiritual realm out of the soul, then demonic manifestations in the soul and body, will be the result.
Again, if something doesn’t line up with the Word of God, then you should reject it. Even if it seems so heavenly, godly and wonderful.
Because of the fact, that many have created a false expectation and image of the Holy Spirit, many believers are being misled and are taken captive by the forces of darkness. This will result in spiritual laziness, lawlessness, becoming lukewarm and passive for the things of the Kingdom of God, being more focused upon signs and wonders, prosperity, enrichment of self, pride etc. that will eventually lead to sin. That’s why, many have started right, but on their way they have changed their focus and opened themselves for carnal manifestations, supposedly coming from the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is the Comforter
But the Holy Spirit is the Comforter, just like Jesus was the Comforter, while He walked upon this earth. Because Jesus said, that He would send another Comforter.
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows Him: but ye know Him; for He dwells with you, and shall be in you (Jn 14;16-17)
The Holy Spirit will raise the believers and be their Teacher in the Word, so that the spirit of the new creation shall be fed with the words of Jesus and shall understand His words, so that (s)he shall grow up into the image of Christ. Just like Jesus, when He fed the people of God with the words of God.
I have many things to say and to judge of you: but He that sent Me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of Him (Jn 8:26)
Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall you know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father hath taught Me, I speak these things. And He that sent Me is with Me: the Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him (Jn 8:28-29)
I speak that which I have seen with My Father: and you do that which you have seen with your father (Jn 8:38)
For I have not spoken of Myself; but the Father which sent Me, he gave Me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that His commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto Me, so I speak (Jn 12:49-50)
Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself: but the Father that dwells in Me, He does the works (Jn 14:10)
The Holy Spirit reproves the world of sin, righteousness and judgment
The Holy Spirit reproves the world of sin, righteousness and of judgment. Just like He did when Jesus walked upon this earth. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth and He shall guide every person, who has become a new creation by regeneration, into all truth. The Holy Spirit shall not speak of Himself. But He shall speak what He hears from Jesus and indirectly from the Father, and glorify Him. He shall show the things to come (Joh 16:8-15). That’s why the Holy Spirit shall always act according to the Word and shall never say or do something that goes against the Word.
But because of the fact, that many believers don’t take time to study the Word by themselves, they build their knowledge upon the words of other people, that don’t always line up with the Word of God.
Because if that would be the case, then many believers wouldn’t act like psychiatric fugitives, showing convulsions, uncontrollable hand movements, shaking, scornful laughter, and twist on the ground like a serpent. This is not God, but the devil, who manifests himself in the flesh. Yes, he ridicules the creations of God, who are the crown of His creation. Let me tell you, as soon as a carnal manifestation takes place, the Holy Spirit has already left. Because the Holy Spirit manifests Himself in the spirit.
How many times do believers say, that they need a leading of the Holy Spirit and base that leading upon a feeling? This is being preached from many pulpits and many believers have accepted this doctrine as the truth.
But this is a false expectation and image of the Holy Spirit, which will result in spiritual passivity. Because believers will only do something when they feel something. But the Word of God says, that the sons of God are continuously led by the Holy Spirit because the Holy Spirit habitually lives inside of them and doesn’t come and go (Rom 8:14).
In the Old Testament, we read that the Holy Spirit came upon a person, who was still the carnal old creation, for a certain time.
But the new creation is born of the Spirit of God, and the Holy Spirit dwells inside the new creation and therefore He is always present in the new man. That’s why singing songs like ‘Welcome, Holy Spirit of God‘, ‘Come, oh Holy Spirit’ and ‘Holy Spirit of God fill our heart‘ or calling upon the fire from heaven or for a new anointing, makes no sense at all. It only proves, that the person, who sing these songs or call upon those things are not born again, and don’t have the Holy Spirit of God. Because the new man would know, that the Holy Spirit lives inside of him/her and doesn’t need a new anointing or a new outpouring of the Spirit. These songs and these sayings are only used to encourage feelings and emotions and cause excitement in the flesh, that will cause nice and pleasant feelings.
Waiting for a leading of the Holy Spirit is a way of the devil to keep the believers passive because He doesn’t want them to find out the real truth and become active for the Kingdom of God and do the things that Jesus has commanded to do. That’s why we need the real Holy Spirit and the Word to guide us into the truth and discern the lies from the truth.
Of course, it happens sometimes that the Holy Spirit, will specifically instruct you and lead you to do something. But that doesn’t mean, that when you meet someone, who has a need, let’s say that the person is being attacked by all kinds of fears, that you should experience some kind of feeling to get approval from the Holy Spirit to set the person free. No, because God’s Word says, that believers should cast out demons. If the words you speak line up with the Word of God than the Holy Spirit shall always empower your words.
The expectation of the new man
Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goes forth, he returns to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God: Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keeps truth for ever: (Psalm 146:3-6)
The expectation of the new man is based upon the Word of God and not upon people. How many times have famous preachers and prophets prophesied about the coming of Jesus Christ? They even prophesied the time and date of the end of the world. But if you look around you, you see that Jesus has not returned and that the earth still exist. These people are fools, that use the gospel for their own prosperity and gain. Because, how books have they sold with this nonsense? How many believers have been misled and have listened and believed the lies of these fools? These fools, who don’t know God, Jesus nor the Holy Spirit. Because the Word says, that no one, knows the time or date of Jesus His return. Even Jesus doesn’t know the time of His return. Only the Father knows. If the Word says, that no one knows, then how come that so many Christians still believe the words of men, that they have received through revelations, above the words of God? How come, that so many believers are being misled? Because they don’t know the Word. Unfortunately, that’s the truth.
That’s why it’s time that the new man, who is created after the image of God, begin to walk after the Spirit and get to know the real Jesus Christ. It’s about time, that the Word becomes the highest authority in the lives of the believers. So that they shall think and walk as the Word.
The new creations shall not build their expectations upon men, or the teachings of men, but upon the Word. Because only through the Word they will find out the truth and build their expectations upon this truth. If you do that then you wouldn’t become disappointed again, but you shall be prepared and warned for the truth and the things to come, by the Word. You shall be encouraged and build up, and live in peace and spiritual freedom. We should hold on to the faith and keep living after His Word and His will, and watch, so that every day, we will be ready for the coming of Jesus Christ.
‘Be the salt of the earth’
