As we listen and touch the spirit of a man, we must first of all detect
his spirit, and how a man's spirit is, reflects upon his person. Hence, when another person begins to speak, your spirit should be open, tender and ready for any impression to be registered in you. As we listen and use our spirit to touch another's spirit, we need to notice several conditions. These we shall now take up one by one and discuss.
Man's Seven Conditions 1. The spirit in a person: right or wrong? As we listen and touch the spirit of a man, we must first of all detect whether his spirit is right or wrong. If your own spirit is open, you will discern within yourself whether that other man's spirit is right or wrong by the impression he leaves with you. Someone may say the right word, but his intention is wrong. Someone may fill his words with love, yet his spirit is hateful. Someone may utter gentle words, but soon thereafter he reveals a hard spirit. Though it is possible for intent and word to differ, nevertheless, inwardly his spirit follows out after his word.
Recall what the Lord once declared, that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" (Matt. 12.34b). Man's speech cannot be controlled by his will to such a degree that his spirit will never be disclosed. In the end he shall reveal himself through his own speech. In other words, his mouth cannot totally check his spirit. Sooner or later his accent will expose him. If, for example, a Galilean keeps his mouth shut, nobody can tell he is a Galilean. Once he opens his mouth, though, he is recognized as a Galilean by his very speech (see Mark 14.66-70).
Because the intent of someone may be triggered by pride, jealousy or boastfulness, his spirit will for sure be most wrong. As a consequence, we cannot simply hearken to his word; we must also try to detect his spirit. Let us not believe the word that is restrained by a person's will, for it cannot represent either the truth or himself; his spirit alone represents him. This is basic. A person's real condition is his spirit's condition, not his will-managed word. Many are deceived because they are unable to distinguish between word and spirit. In spite of what man may disclose his intention to be, let us take note of his spirit. The words of Absalom, for example, were quite right, but his spirit was quite wrong because his was a rebellious spirit. Hence we must always touch people's spirit. Then we shall truly know them and discern whose words are trustworthy.