“It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away the Helper will not come to you...” John 16:7
Try to imagine what it must have been like to have the Master guiding your ministry – correcting, teaching, and encouraging you every day for three years. Then you are told that He is going away. Who is going to solve our disputes? Who is going to reveal the secrets of the kingdom to us? Can you imagine all your insecurities and fears of failure bombarding your mind? Yet, Jesus told them that it was to their advantage not to have a person endlessly telling them what to do but rather to become led from within!
This subject of being led by the Holy Spirit from within is the game changing and power restoring truth that the people of God have missed because they haven’t really understood how absolutely necessary it is for EVERY aspect of our Christian walk. How many years are we willing to wander without refreshing in the desert before we realize that we need God’s direct and personal guidance?
Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years; to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Deut 8:2-3
Israel went without food and water various times during the period they spent in the desert. They would have died if the Lord had not given them specific instructions as to what to do to obtain these things. If you will remember His instructions weren’t consistent as if He was teaching them to just live by principles. No, one time to provide water Moses was told to hit a rock, another time he was told to throw a specific piece of wood in some bitter water to make it drinkable, and another time He was told to just speak to a rock and water would come out. God did this so that they might look to Him continually for direction. After all it was He who led them by a cloud by day and a pillar of fire at night. He was trying to teach His people that if they followed Him they would be protected and provided for.
In the proceeding passage, God said He withheld necessities and then provided what they needed so that they would all understand that they didn’t live by bread (food) but by every word that proceeds or comes from the mouth of the Lord. Now, often times we are told that this refers to God’s written word, but in reality He never pointed them to a scripture passage to tell His people what to do. He told them prophetically through Moses and this word had just as much authority as the written word. Just like we need to eat everyday so also was Israel instructed to gather fresh manna (or word) everyday.
The children of Israel didn’t get their manna or bread in one great supply. Instead, it was given every morning and if it wasn’t picked up, it was unfit for consumption by the next day (c.f. Ex.16:20-22). If this manna symbolically represents God’s word – can you see that it cannot be the written, unchangeable word of God? It has to be referring to specific direction given by God on a daily basis. Perhaps this really is the intended meaning of “give us this day our daily bread.” Consider the fact that in just a few subsequent verses Jesus states:
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?" Matt 6:25
Jesus is teaching us not to worry about what we are going to eat or the things of this life, but rather we are to focus on things that are eternal – the kingdom and righteousness (v. 33). If this is true, why in what we call the Lord’s Prayer, would He be teaching us to ask for food every day? Wouldn’t it make more sense that we should expect when we pray this for Him to lead us by speaking to us every day?
This concept of being Spirit led is not some “far out” and wacky doctrine. What I am going to endeavor to prove is that according to the Bible (God’s written Word) we must be led by the Spirit or we cannot be saved or victorious.
It is the Holy Spirit who convicts of our need for a Savior
When He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: (John 16:8).
The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned (1 Cor. 2:14).
Unless the Spirit of God convicts someone of their sin they will not see their need for a Savior. This is because the message of the gospel is foolishness to those who are perishing (c.f. 1 Cor. 1:18). An unbeliever cannot understand the gospel because it is spiritually discerned. Consider this: No matter how much we can try to show someone from a logical set of facts derived from the Bible they will not be convinced merely because of the information. The Holy Spirit speaks to their hearts, He tells them the message is true, He lets them know they are not right with Him and that they need to repent and trust Jesus. When we accept the Spirit’s witness we are saved and without it we cannot be.
It is the Holy Spirit who changes our hearts and teaches us truth
The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: "This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds." Heb 10:15-16
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26
Notice what the passage in Hebrews tells us: I will put my laws in a book for everyone to study. Is that correct? No, what He tells us is that He is going to put His laws into our hearts and help us remember them by engraving (writing) them on our minds. This is symbolically shown by the two sets of tablets of the Law. the first set Moses broke when the people disobeyed God. The second set was placed IN the ark of the covenant. The promised New Covenant teaches us that God is going to lead us from within not from some external source.
"I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. John 16:12-13
We cannot understand truth by way of our own reasoning and intelligence; we need the Holy Spirit’s continual guidance. The personal guidance of the Holy Spirit opens our understanding and reveals deep things about God. It prompts us to search for understanding about the deep (hard to be understood) things about God as the Scirpture says:
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"— but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 1 Cor. 2:9-12
It is the Holy Spirit who testifies we belong to God
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Rom 8:16
Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. Rom 8:14
Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. 1 John 5:10
Again this testimony is not just from the written word because it the passage reads “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.”God speaks through His spirit to our spirit that we are His children. Are you beginning to see that we NEED the inner guidance of the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit gives wisdom to direct His people
I could have chosen Solomon as an example of this but Moses is a better example to me because he presents a problem and the solution which is later answered by God in a much more workable manner. Here Moses presents his problem as the sole leader of God’s people:
I am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me. Num 11:14 NKJV
So the Lord said to Moses: "Gather to Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tabernacle of meeting, that they may stand there with you. 17 Then I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone. v.v.16-17
Then the Lord came down in the cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the Spirit that was upon him, and placed the same upon the seventy elders; and it happened, when the Spirit rested upon them, that they prophesied, although they never did so again. v.25
So Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, one of his choice men, answered and said, "Moses my lord, forbid them!" Then Moses said to him, "Are you zealous for my sake? Oh, that all the Lord's people were prophets and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them!" v.v. 28-29
Joshua is concerned that Moses maintains his ability to lead the people of God – but much like the time to come when Israel would seek a King – God’s more perfect desire is that His people see Him as their sole leader. Moses wisely recognizes that this comes as a result of God’s Spirit working alongside of someone.
This is fulfilled in the New Testament:
The new and more perfect covenant includes this Spirit guidance and power for all who will believe and become His people by faith. Notice how it is prophesied in the Old Testament and applied by Peter on the day of Pentecost:
"'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. Acts 2:17-18
Who is not included to be able to receive God’s Spirit? The Word includes “all people,” referring to those present, their “sons and daughters” – not just for men, “old and young” – not dependent upon someone’s age, and even upon “servants” or slaves – both men and women. Peter clarifies that this promise Spirit is for everyone:
The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call." Acts 2:39
It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. John 6:45
The Scriptures do not teach that it will be necessary for us to have some final authority from men to teach us what we need to learn about God (as is taught by Roman Catholicism). Paul was an example of this. He was not taught by Peter or the other apostles what to believe, he was taught by God (c.f. Gal. 1:16-17). This is also confirmed by the apostle John who states:
As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit — just as it has taught you, remain in him. 1 John 2:27
It is not that we should neglect the equipping ministries that the Lord has given His people to combat false teachers (c.f. Eph. 4:11-14). I believe what this is teaching is that the Lord gifts and wants to utilize every believer in the Church. Each person has works marked out ahead of time for them to fulfill (c.f. Eph. 2:10). As such the Lord is able to speak to and guide each person in the way of righteousness.
If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. Gal 5:18
If one thinks about this it makes total sense. If God is not directing you personally you will revert to man taught laws and tradition. As a leader we need to see God’s leading Spirit not as the loss of control but actually more effective control – not by man but by God Himself.
The Bible is a collection of accounts of men and women who did two things:
1. They obeyed or disobeyed the written Word and its principles
2. The obeyed or disobeyed the specific spoken words give to them
Examples are Adam and Eve; Noah; Abraham; Joseph; Moses; Joshua; David; etc.
The Holy Spirit’s Two Part Job Description
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. John 14:26
1. He will teach you all things. (Personal spoken words)
2. He will help you remember what the Lord said. (Basic commands)
If the Holy Spirit is not teaching and leading we will miss the intimate, life-giving, relationship the Lord really wants to have with us. Take a look at how Jesus responded to a mere “scripture-driven” relationship with God:
You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life. John 5:39-40
Can you see that the purpose of the Scriptures is to lead us to a personal relationship with Christ? Truth is not mere information. It is a person! Jesus said, “I am the Truth.” This is the truth that if a person will continue in His teaching they will know and who will set them free (c.f. John 8:31). Who the Son sets free is free indeed! v. 36
We have believed the lie that the only way God speaks to His people is through the Bible. It is not that we don’t discern His voice by what is said being in total agreement with the written word, but if we have lost the leading, guiding, teaching, directing voice of the Spirit it is no wonder we are powerless. The Bible prophesies of a time like this when it says:
"Behold, the days are coming," says the Lord God, "That I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.” Amos 8:11
Should we be in a famine when we are in the period of His grace and the covenant that is far better than the old? No! because Jesus taught:
“…the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice.” and “My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me.” John 10:4, 27
If a person believes in the dispensational teaching in regard to the seven churches of Revelation that they resemble seven different historical church ages, it is to this final church age that believes it has need of nothing that Jesus says:
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. Rev 3:20
Notice a few things about this passage, even if we look at it in mere principle. Jesus initiates the conversation. He says, “Here I am! or, “Behold.” I think this is representative of the fact that Jesus wants to speak to His Church, to guide His Church, and to be in the midst of His Church. But He wants a Church that hears - (he that has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches).
Jesus tells us there is a barrier (a door) between us and Him. This barrier is preventing a more intimate relationship – represented by eating together. He tells His people what they need to do is to begin to listen…listen for His voice. If anyone will hear it and respond by removing the barrier, He will come in.
Some possible barriers to hearing the Lord’s voice
• Unawareness: Some would believe that God only speaks to pastors and ministers
• Guilt: a sense of unworthiness
• Fear: Who’s speaking … God, me or the devil?
In my next message I will deal with these barriers and more so that our ears will be unstopped. I believe the Lord is teaching that He is speaking and wants to direct our lives but we are not recognizing His voice. Notice what Proverbs 3:4-5 teaches:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
We are told to acknowledge Him in all our ways. In other words, recognize Him in all we do. Like others who have taught we need to “practice the presence of God” or hear the call to “Come Away My Beloved,” we should not merely follow our own understanding but expect the Lord’s leading, especially in the major decisions of our lives!
I will be including some “exercises” to help each of us learn to discern the Lord’s voice. There are four basic parts to these exercises:
1. Pray
2. Read the words of Jesus.
3. Question: Why did Jesus said this? (Consider the context and true meaning of the passage first).
4. Question: What are you saying to me personally, Lord? (How does what you said apply to my life in application?)
What if nothing seems to happen? If you don’t receive anything immediately, don’t get worried. Simply read the Scripture again and pray in the Spirit. If no thoughts come within a few minutes, just relax and believe God will speak to your heart later that day.
SAFEGUARDS
To ensure we don’t go ‘off track’; there are a couple of basic principles to follow:
1. Everything Must Agree with Scripture
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Tim. 3:16-17
Whatever we feel God is speaking to us cannot contradict His eternal word or the principles taught by His word. When the Lord truly speaks to us, it will be confirmed by the truth of His word.
2. Seek Godly Counsel
For our own protection and guidance, we need to submit to other more mature believers.
Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." 1 Peter 5:5
Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 1 Cor 14:29
This is not uncommon at all in other areas of Christian living. For example: Someone may feel called by God to a particular ministry, God uses others in the Church to confirm this calling. A man and a woman may feel called to marry one another but the minister and the Church confirm and witness to the union. What we believe we hear from the Lord will be confirmed by those who are spiritually more mature. This is part of the ministry of pastors and elders. You may be able to think of other examples like the pastor's sermon from week to week confirmed by the congregation.
3. Don’t Follow the Pattern of our Selfish Thoughts
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isa 55:8-9
We need to avoid saying, “God said” presumptuously. There is a promised correction for those who will “pull the God card” to try to avoid submitting to godly leadership. It is this presumption that Satan has used to deceive God’s people into thinking God no longer wants to direct the day to day lives of His people. We have all heard some who claim to hear God speaking to them about things that are both selfish and foolish. This is NOT what I am claiming the Bible teaches.
OUR FIRST EXERCISE
“No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.” John 15:15
First pray along this line. If God’s child asks for bread will He give him a stone? Jesus, you said that your sheep will hear your voice and be able to follow it. Speak to me now. Holy Spirit guide me into truth. Do not allow me to go astray.
Why did Jesus say this? What was the context of this passage? Who was Jesus speaking to? Only after establishing the original intent of this passage, can we now ask:
What are You saying to me personally from this passage? Listen to your intuitive thoughts and journal the thought(s) that come to you. If you know someone who is mature and able to discern God’s voice let them read what came to you. They should be able to confirm and encourage you to as you learn to understand God’s voice from your own thoughts. If you have no one who you can trust you may respond back to me and I will be willing to help you on your journey to recognizing His voice. God bless!
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