After reading “Seeking God’s Will“, a visitor asked, “What about being led by the Spirit?. I consider her question and talked via LinkedIn. It became clear. I need to share about
abiding in Christ. It’s a key to being led by the Holy Spirit.
I won’t pretend to be great at hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit. I’d be an arrogant fool in doing so. There have been times I did hear from my Father; however, I’ve also blown it, quite a few times. I have some wonderful friends, who have walked with Jesus, far longer than I. Though they have a better track record, my friends have the same struggles.
Did you think you’re the only ones? You’re not alone.
There is hope. We can learn to listen and become better. You really don’t stop learning. Where to begin? It starts with Jesus. There is more to abiding in Christ than just reading Scripture.
In John 15:6-8, Jesus says this:
6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.
How does one remain in Jesus? There is more to it than memorizing your favorite verses of Scriptures. It’s about applying it, to our daily lives. The Bible has a ton of wonderful gems; however, they’re not always easy to find, understand or apply.
For this, we need a very good Teacher. Here is what Jesus says:
12 “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you. [John 16:12-15]
This promise is not just for the early Church. Even today, we desperately need the guidance and instructions of the Holy Spirit. Especially, when it comes to applying the Word of God to our modern day lives.
In college, I had to take Critical Thinking. I was blessed by a wonderful professor who taught that class. I was blessed because I chose to listen to Prof. Cabot and ask question. I could not have benefited; if I chose not to listen or ask questions. The same holds true when it comes to listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit.
When I read the Scripture and relied on my own strength; I’d often struggle to understand or totally misinterpret things. I did not know the Holy Spirit would show the correct meanings and the underlying principles. I needed to ask the Spirit, for help. I had to learn to listen.
How do I know, if it is the Spirit? How do I know, if I‘m just hearing myself? How do I know, if it’s the voice of the Accuser? Yes, there are three distinct internalized voices that one can hear. Here is something to remember.
The Holy Spirit will never contradict the principles of Scripture or compromise the Word of God. It’s okay to ask questions; when something doesn’t sound right. The Spirit will convict us of the need to repent. Over the years, the Spirit has helped me with changing my attitudes and behaviors.
Guess who’s not interested in you changing your behavior? In fact, he’d be happy to leaving you in a miserable state of condemnation.
How do I know; if I’m being mislead? This is why believers need each other. It is not the only reason and it shouldn’t be the main one. Here is what the Scripture says in Acts 2:42:
41-42 That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.
There is more to fellowship than a traditional Sunday church service. It’s about doing life together and trusting the Spirit to guide us, in our daily walk with Jesus. The above Scripture is a good illustration of what it means to abide in Christ. I’ll wrap it with the following Scripture:
24 And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities,
25 Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching. [Hebrews 10:24-25]
Right now, I’m stuck for I don’t know where to end. This is one post that barely scratch the surface and could be turned into a book.
How does this post play with being “led by the Spirit? Is there more? What’s your take?
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