Christian Message Boards: Led By The Holy Spirit

This is topic Led By The Holy Spirit in forum Bible Topics & Study at Christian Message Boards.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://thechristianbbs.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=006676

Posted by practicalbibleteaching (Member # 7755) on :

How can you know you are led by the Holy Spirit? Often Holy Spirit leadership is described as God speaking within us saying do this and don't do that or go over there, etc. Actually that is only a very small part of what the Holy Spirit does and is not even possible unless we are already under His influence. Such leadership can be supposed by those who simply follow their feelings and emotions. So how do we know we are led by the Holy Spirit? Let's look at some things the Holy Spirit does which enables Him to lead us:

I. The Holy Spirit Indwells. Romans 8:9 ...ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. God lives in each one of His people and interacts with them. The interaction is accomplished through a use of the Word of God and through prayer. Use of the Word of God is different than just having the Word of God.

II. The Holy Spirit Confirms. Romans 8:14-16 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. The Holy Spirit bears witness we are a child of God through the Word of God. According to John 16:13 Jesus said the Holy Spirit guides us into all truth. I know I am saved because of the truth the Bible declares. So the Holy Spirit confirms the salvation I have in Christ giving me a stable foundation to serve God.

III. The Holy Spirit Renews. Paul wrote in Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. The washing of regeneration brings about the salvation of our soul. The renewing of the Holy Ghost brings about the salvation of our life or influence on Earth. It could be described as the adjustment of the thoughts, reasonings, and actions to agreement with God. Paul spoke of it in Rom 12:2 ...be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. The renewing of the mind is a work of the Holy Spirit. It takes place as He refreshes the believer in the Word of God.

IV. The Holy Spirit Reproves. Jesus said in John 16:7-8 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. The Holy Spirit reveals the sin of man, the righteousness of God, and the judgment to come. Jesus called the Holy Spirit the "Spirit of Truth" because He bears witness of the truth, by doing so He reproves our sin. Paul said in Gal 5:16-18 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Through the Word of God the Holy Spirit confronts us with our sin giving us the opportunity to repent and maintain fellowship with God.

V. The Holy Spirit Teaches. Jesus said in John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. The Holy Spirit gives us understanding in the things of God and makes them real to us. 1 Cor 2:9-10 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.[/i] 1 Cor 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. The time we spend reading, studying, meditating on, and using the Word of God will determine how well we are taught by the Holy Spirit.

VI. The Holy Spirit Comforts. Jesus said in John 14:16-18 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 seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Comfort means to call near and encourage. Real encouragement can only be gained through love and truth. The Holy Spirit comforts us by reminding us of God's love and God's truth. God's love and truth are found over and over and over in His Word.

VII. The Holy Spirit Guides. Because the Holy Spirit indwells us, confirms us, renews us, reproves us, teaches us, and comforts us, He is able to guide us. If one or all of these things are lacking we can not say with confidence we are led by the Holy Spirit.

Posted by Michael Harrison (Member # 6801) on :

quote:
Such leadership can be supposed by those who simply follow their feelings and emotions. So how do we know we are led by the Holy Spirit?

Indeed! How is one led? Is it external? Does he see signs in the sky, or receive messages from external sources, or 'see' things in the word? It’s possible. But it doesn’t happen very often. So I would be suspicious of someone who frequently observes such things. But is the leading from the inside? Fo sho! One is led from the inside. After all, that is where the Holy Spirit is. Oh, HE is everywhere all at once, but HE is manifest to you inwardly. And like wildb said, He is like the wind, and you are like the sail. It is a beautiful comparison. When HE moves, you follow.

But can someone ‘suppose’ according to his or her feelings and emotions? More often than not. I mean, more people than not! People who actually are Christians, follow feelings and emotions exclusively, and often, way too often, call it the leading of God.

Some people though, have preached that one must be fooled by his feelings and emotions before he is fit to know the truth. In other words, these are saying that one has to get it wrong before he can truly get it right. And that is good, for most do. Regrettably, one is usually unteachable in this condition. And it is hard, so very hard to be broken. It takes a total hard knock for most do discover this about themselves before being able to discover total trust.

But if and when one is (becomes) broken, it is as the alabaster box, wherein the ointment was released upon the breaking of the box, to anoint the head of Jesus before HIS time had fully come. The fragrance, that fragrance, heavenly to behold, indescribable to relate, is released when this breaking happens, till one can blessedly discover the way forward, simply by the sweetness which fills the air. It is unmistakable, and 'to suppose' no longer is an issue.

Till then, till the alabaster box is broken, one lonely, unfortunate one, though maybe not knowing so, wanders in the wilderness, ‘supposing’, and thinking he is full well following, and is teaching others to do so.

Well, we all want to participate. We all want that approval of fellow man. We all want to point the way, but the approval of God is first and foremost. Regrettably, so many seek the approval of fellow man first.
[Bible]

Posted by Carol Swenson (Member # 6929) on :

practicalbibleteaching

Thank you for another excellent post.

I think it's true that sometimes a person believes he is being led by the Holy Spirit, when in fact it is his own imagination and emotions. It is important that we prayerfully study and obey the written Word of God. The Holy Spirit will always agree with the written word because, after all, He is the author of the Bible.

Here is an uplifting word from Charles Stanley:

A Daily Decision to Be “Filled”

Is being “filled” with the Holy Spirit a one time event?

Receiving the Holy Spirit is a onetime event—we receive the Holy Spirit when we receive Christ as our Savior. Once we have been born again spiritually and have received the Holy Spirit into our lives, we can never be “unbirthed.” We can never put ourselves into a position where the Holy Spirit is no longer with us or in us. What the Holy Spirit does to transform our nature is lasting and irreversible.

We can, however, choose not to grow in the Lord. The decision to grow and to keep on growing is a decision that we must continue to make every day of our lives. We must choose to be filled with the Holy Spirit each and every day.

Every day, ask the Holy Spirit to fill your life anew with His life-giving, joy-producing, comforting, guiding, renewing presence.

Every day, ask the Holy Spirit to fill you anew with His love, His peace, His truth.

Every day, ask the Holy Spirit to fill you to overflowing with His compassion for others.

Can a person continue to be filled again and again and again and again? Absolutely. We receive the Holy Spirit once. We are filled with the fullness of God’s power and presence in an ongoing way as we continue to ask Him to do His work in us and through us day by day by day by day. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is something we must seek every day of our lives.

How do you receive the Holy Spirit? By believing and receiving.

How do you stay filled with the Holy Spirit so that you are growing in your faith and being effective in your witness? By believing and receiving.

How do you walk in the Holy Spirit every day for the rest of your life? By believing and receiving.

So let me ask you … Have you accepted Jesus as your Savior? Have you received His promised gift of the Holy Spirit? Are you walking in the Spirit? Is the Spirit actively renewing and transforming and refining your life? Are you experiencing the blessed joy that comes with living the Spirit-led life?

I pray your answer is yes to all of these questions. If not, lay down control of your life today. Confess whatever sin God brings to your mind. Ask God to forgive you and cleanse you. Thank Him for filling you with His Spirit. Invite Him to take full authority over your life and to do in you and through you whatever He desires. Begin to thank and praise Him for His presence with you always.

Friend, if you will do these things, the joy of the Spirit-led life is going to be yours!

(Charles Stanley Living in the power of the Holy Spirit)

[Bible]

2 Corinthians 6
10 Our hearts ache, but we always have joy . We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.

1 Thessalonians 5
16 Always be joyful . 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4
4 Always be full of joy in the Lord . I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Posted by Michael Harrison (Member # 6801) on :

quote:
How do you stay filled with the Holy Spirit so that you are growing in your faith and being effective in your witness? By believing and receiving.

How do you walk in the Holy Spirit every day for the rest of your life? By believing and receiving.

So let me ask you … Have you accepted Jesus as your Savior? Have you received His promised gift of the Holy Spirit? Are you walking in the Spirit? Is the Spirit actively renewing and transforming and refining your life? Are you experiencing the blessed joy that comes with living the Spirit-led life?

It might be interesting to note that the simultaneous, or parallel understanding which accompanies the concept of 'staying filled' by believing and receiving is this simple note:

1Co 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

Without 'being dead', or dying, you grieve the Holy Spirit to the point that he is diminished. HE is chased away. Therefore HE does not 'fill' you.

Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

It is hard to be 'filled' if HE is greived because that is the opposite of 'invited'. It is the 'opposite' of receiving. In fact, it is the opposite of 'believing'.

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

But believing, properly understood accomplishes both dying, and receiving, because it 'accepts' what HE does. But that belief which does not 'accept' completely the work of the Cross, and the infilling (which is the raising from the dead by Him, part) doesn't 'realize' that work, working in him. It is thereby replaced by 'doing', rather than realizing.

Posted by yahsway (Member # 3738) on :

MH, Yes, and not only that, but being in the wilderness, where he meets us, refreshes us, leads us.

He calls his sons and daughters to the wilderness.

Posted by Michael Harrison (Member # 6801) on :

Yahswey, would I be amiss if I were to restate that as HE calls us in the wilderness?