Watchout For WOLVES: Keys To Discerning Authentic Ministries & Evaluating Doctrinal Trends

All of these winds can be brought on by the Lord for the fulfillment of His purpose (Ps. 78:26).

He caused an east wind to blow in the heavens; and by His power He brought in the south wind.

Wind Used Symbolically of the Holy Spirit

Most of the time when the Bible makes reference to “winds,” it is speaking in a very literal and natural sense. But on some occasions, it may use the concept of winds in a more symbolic sense. There are two primary ways that the wind is used symbolically in the Bible. The first is in reference to the Holy Spirit of God and the second is in regard to doctrines or teachings that circulate through the world of the Church. The Bible uses several symbols to illustrate the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is likened to fire (Mt. 3:11), to a dove (Mt. 3:16; Luke3:21-22; John 1:32), to oil or anointing (Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38; 1 John 2:20), to water (John 7:38-39; Is. 44:3) and to wind or breath (John 3:3-8; Acts 2:2; Is. 40:7). In the Greek language, the word for spirit, wind and breath are the same. You determine how to render it based on the context in which it is used. The Holy Spirit is the wind of God or the breath of God. The Holy Spirit moves like the wind in at least five different ways.

1. The Spirit moves in a spiritual or non-visible realm (John 3:8, 1 Cor. 2:14).

The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit. John 3:8

2. The Spirit moves and operates at the Lord’s comman d (Gal. 4:6; 1 Pet. 1:12).

3. The Spirit purges and cleanses the earth (Job. 37:21).

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