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Office
Of The Holy Spirit
Leadings Of The Holy Spirit
It means much to be led by the Holy Spirit
in all things. "For as many as are led by the Spirit
of God, they are the sons of God." Rom. 8:14. Not
only does the Father draw us by His Spirit to the
fellowship of His Son, but He also promises to be with us
to the end of the world. Matt. 28:20. How much it means to
always recognize and obey the voice which says, "This
is the way, walk ye in it"; to steer clear of the
gulf of fanaticism on the one hand and the rocks of
formalism on the other, and take the narrow way of divine
guidance. There are many things to lead the soul astray
and turn the Christian pilgrim aside from the path of
duty; and if the command to "watch and pray" is
not heeded, we shall lose our way. Oh, how much we need
the unerring guidance of the Holy Spirit! There are many
who profess to be Christians who never think of asking the
leadings of the Lord in every day life. And some even
scoff at the idea of being led by the Holy Spirit,
supposing that God never intended to guide but a favored
few, such as the apostles and prophets, and expects the
most of men to lean to their own understanding. Possibly
some have been forced to such conclusions by the fanatic
notions of some who profess to be led by the Lord. That
God will lead us, is an undeniable truth; He led men of
old, and He has promised to lead us if we trust Him; and
He is faithful to fulfill His promise.
DIVINE GUIDANCE DOES NOT MAKE US
INFALLIBLE.— Neither divine guidance nor inspiration
make us infallible. Yet the Holy Spirit is an infallible
guide. But we being fallible and our minds being finite,
we may be mistaken in the leadings of the Holy Spirit.
This should not discourage us in the least, but should
only cause us to press more closely to Jesus' side and
listen more carefully to his voice. Peter was an inspired
apostle, and yet he made a mistake, for which Paul sharply
reproved him. Gal. 2 :11-14.
LEADINGS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN
DOCTRINE.—"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of
truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth."
John 16:13. "If any man will do his will, he shall
know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I
speak of myself." John 7:17.
The Holy Spirit was given for the
express purpose of leading men into all truth, and every
man who is led of the Spirit speaks sound doctrine. A man
who propagates a doctrine contrary to truth is not led by
the Holy Spirit. "To the law and to the testimony: if
they speak not according to this word, it is because there
is no light in them." Isa. 8:20.
All who are led by the Spirit speak
the same things. When two men disagree in doctrine, either
one or both are not led by the Spirit. Things in which we
are led of God we all see and understand alike. The things
on which we differ are those things which we try to fathom
by human wisdom. Some one has aptly said, "What we
know we all know alike; but the things we are not certain
of are those upon which we differ." A man who
contradicts himself or is continually shifting from one
position to another is not following the leadings of the
Spirit, but is leaning to his own understanding.
LEADINGS OF THE SPIRIT IN GOSPEL
WORK.—Pastors evangelists, and gospel workers of
every description need the Holy Spirit's guidance to help
them in detecting evil spirits and coping with the
craftiness of men. Workers should also have the leading of
the Spirit in regard to where they should labor. Workers
who depend on their own understanding exclusively, and
choose the easy places, or go where they get the most
money, need not be surprised if they find their work
superficial and their own souls void of spirituality. H is
not fanaticism in the least to suppose that God can lead
us where He would have us go. Those who are guided by the
Holy Spirit in their work not only find it a pleasure, but
also profitable. Philip was directed by the Spirit when he
found the Ethiopian, who was so willing to hear the Word
of the Lord. When the Spirit told Philip to go, he went
and his mission was blessed with the salvation of a soul.
Peter was led of God to go to the house of Cornelius and
all his house were filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts
10:19. Paul once thought of going to a certain place, but
the Spirit forbade him, and he at once submitted, and
obeyed the divine impression. "And when they came
into the region of Mysia, they were disposed to go from
there into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus permitted
them not." Acts 16:8.—SYRIAC.
Minister of God, would you be
successful and happy in your labor of love? Then wait upon
God until you know what He would have you do, and when the
Spirit whispers "go," you can go with an
assurance that God is on your side and that you are in His
order. E you run before you are sent, or go certain places
before you know God says go, when trials and adverse
circumstances befall you, you may feel like giving the
battle over; but if you know God sends you, the hardest
battle will be sweet. Then when all seems dark and it
seems that you are accomplishing nothing, you can hope in
God and leave the responsibility with Him. It is true that
at times it seems hard to ascertain the mind of the Spirit
in regard to going to this or that place, but if God does
not tell us in one way He surely will in another. If He
does not make His will known by direct leadings of the
Spirit, He will tell us by circumstances or some other
way.
CAN WE BE GUIDED BY THE HOLY
SPIRIT IN BUSINESS MATTERS?—By business matters we
mean important transactions, such as are necessary to be
made for the sustenance of natural life and the glory of
God. That we should use our common sense proves too
limited to give us a satisfactory solution of the puzzling
questions of life. At such times every man who knows
anything about God feels the need of His guidance. That
the Holy Spirit will lead us in any legitimate business is
not unreasonable, but is in accordance with the teachings
of the New Testament and the experience of God fearing men
and women. If they were all recorded, history would tell
of many a judge on the bench, merchant behind the counter,
tradesman in the shop, and farmer on the farm, who in
puzzling affairs of life have sought and obtained the help
of God and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
IMPRESSIONS.—Our
impressions are various, and come from various sources;
some of them are good and some are bad; some are
providential and some are circumstantial; some are safe to
follow and some are extremely dangerous. This being the
case we should look well as to where an impression comes
from before following its leading. Impulses and sanctified
judgment are vastly different.
Our impressions may be divided into
three different divisions, as follows: (l) We have
impressions which are strictly human, or come from natural
occurrences. Some of such impressions may be followed in
some cases without bad results, and some may be
misleading. (2) We may have impressions which are purely
satanical, all of which are dangerous to give heed to.
Such impressions may come in various ways, either directly
from the devil by evil suggestions to the mind, or through
natural circumstances. (3) We have impressions which are
manifestations of divine guidance, all of which are safe
to follow.
These impressions may also come
through natural channels directly from God through the
Holy Spirit.
Sometimes circumstances impress us
to do certain things which at first seem plausible, but
afterward prove to be unreasonable and dangerous, and if
we are not careful we may too quickly conclude that such
impressions are from the Lord. "Those simple
occurrences, which men snatch at and press into the
service of their own wishes, and call them providential
openings, may indeed be links of a providential chain, in
reference to some other matter: but unless they be found
to speak the same language in all their parts, occurrence
corresponding with occurrence they are not to be construed
as indications of the divine will in reference to the
claimants. Many persons through these misapprehensions
miscarrying have been led to charge God foolishly for the
unsuccessful issue of some business in which their
passions, not His providence prompted them to
engage."—CLARKE. Sometimes the suggestion of a
friend or a brother will impress us to do a certain thing
that would be far from wise. Sometimes we may see some one
else prosper in a certain thing, and their prosperity will
impress us to do the same thing, in attempting which we
utterly fail and wake up to find that our unwise zeal, and
not the Holy Spirit or our better judgment has led us to
be thus engaged. Some people are very easily influenced by
others, and in this way are much hindered in ascertaining
the mind of the Lord. While in the multitude of counsel
there is safety (Prov. 11:14), and often we may be much
benefited by consulting with others, God wants us to rely
upon Him for our directions and leadings.
Books and reading matter of all
descriptions is also a source of various impressions, both
good and evil. How careful then we should be in choosing
our reading matter, when the world is deluged with
erroneous books, papers, tracts, leaflets, etc., of almost
every description. It has been said, "Tell me what a
man reads, and I will tell you what he is." Whether
this is absolutely true, or not, what we read has a great
deal to do with molding our lives and impressions. Those
whose minds are fed on such worthless stuff as novels,
love stories, etc., are fed on worse than nothing, and
their impressions and consequent lives will be more or
less the same as what they read. Early impressions are the
most lasting. This being the case we should endeavor to
place before the minds of the young pure reading matter
only. Many people would do well to make a bonfire of about
nine tenths of the books in their homes. Dear reader. have
you in your library, on your table, or about your home
trashy books of any kind that are liable to poison the
minds of your family or friends? E you have I pray you
burn them at once. Do not delay, for some person may
receive an impression therefrom that will do him much
harm. Do not give them away to defile some one else. Burn
them, whatever they cost, and kindle the fire with any of
Satan's leaflets, tracts, or papers you may have on hands.
FANATICISM.—There are many
who profess to be divinely led who disgrace the way of
right by their ridiculous notions, foreign to the truth.
Some of these are conscientious, but ignorant. Others are
unwilling to take God's way, consequently wander about in
the mystic marsh of deception, fast following the "ignis
fatuus" of false hope to the goal of destruction,
where ends every false way. The writer is personally
acquainted with one of this class, who believes that she
is led of the Lord to wear a blue calico dress, and
nothing else, winter and summer, and under all
circumstances. This person after repeated admonition still
clings tenaciously to her idolized notion, utterly
refusing all reason, and maintains that God has shown hen
We have also heard of a woman who would ask the Lord which
she should do first, attend to her chamber work or wash
her dishes. And after concluding it God's will to wash her
dishes first, she would then ask which dish to wash first.
We are also acquainted with another odd person, who will
ask the Lord about going to the post office and many other
such trivial things, which common sense should teach him
to do. E on going to the post office he receives no mail
he will then conclude that God did not lead him. Others
have been heard to make such expressions as the following:
"E you go on an errand or to make a visit and forget
your umbrella the Lord did not lead you to go."
We often meet people who are always
talking about the leadings of the Lord, yet are ignorant
of the first principles of divine guidance. One time you
meet them they will tell you that the Lord is leading them
to do a certain thing, and the next time you meet them
they tell you that the Lord is leading them to do
something directly the opposite. Such confusion is not the
leadings of the Holy Spirit of God, for "God is not
the author of confusion."
Some people have a habit, when in
doubt about their leadings, of opening the Bible by chance
and taking the first passage their eyes fall upon as a
settlement of their dilemma. This practice is dangerous,
that is, if it is depended upon absolutely. We know of no
better way to explain in what way this is unsafe than to
relate a circumstance we once heard of. Two men had some
personal difficulty and one of them had been in the habit
of employing this game of chance method of settling
things. He being anxious to know what to do to be
reconciled to his brother concluded to open his Bible and
take the first passage his eyes fell upon as the leading
of the Lord. Going to his Bible he carelessly let it fall
open, and the first text which met his gaze was Psa.
144:1, which reads as follows: "Blessed be the Lord
my strength, who teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers
to fight." This was sufficient to convince him that
his manner of procedure was incorrect, and he commenced to
seek the mind of the Lord in a reasonable way, by prayer
and reading the Word.
We once heard of a man, who, while
driving along a muddy road, was impressed with the thought
that if he had as much humility as he should have he would
be humble enough to kneel and pray in the mud. And to get
rid of the suggestion he stopped his team and dismounting
knelt in the slushy road. This was not the voice of God,
but was an impression from the devil. People often get
into such bondage that Satan can tell them to do many
silly things, and they will obey him. People in this
condition often go off in secret and spend hours
struggling over some false impression imposed upon them by
the devil, when they should spend the time in praising
God.
Another streak of fanaticism people
sometimes get into, is wresting a passage of Scripture out
of its proper connection and building their ideas upon it.
We have known people to take the passage, "Owe no man
any thing" (Rom. 13:8), and disconnect it from the
debt of love we owe each other, and rigidly apply it to
financial matters. By so doing God's people are robbed of
their freedom and the cause of Christ is disgraced. People
who get into such "ruts" generally try to bind
their feverish imaginations upon all God's children, and
those who will not submit to them they look upon with
suspicion. The word "owe" in the New Testament
has a somewhat different meaning from its general use. It
is taken from the Greek "opheilo," which is
defined delinquency. To duty or obligation. Hence, in
financial matters as long as a man does not offend his
creditor by neglecting his obligation, he is not
delinquent. E a man gives his note for a certain sum of
money, he is not considered delinquent until the note is
due and he has neglected to pay it, and thereby offended
his creditor. "Owe no man anything," that is, do
not neglect to pay tribute to whom tribute is due; custom
to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. If
a thing is due a man, whether it be tribute, custom,
honor, or finances, do not neglect to pay that which is
due him, at the time it is due. This text does not teach
that we should contract no debts, but that we should pay
those we do make, and love one another.
Some also fasten upon the text,
"Give to him that asketh thee," and interpret it
to mean that we must give to all; the unworthy as well as
the worthy. They forget that Paul said concerning some who
were professors of Christianity, "If any will not
work, neither shall he eat."
Hannah Whitall Smith in her work,
"The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life," tells
of an individual who became so impressed with the text,
"All things are yours," that she was induced to
believe that God was leading her to take some money which
did not belong to her; which she finally did, but of
course with bad results.
The Bible must be taken as a whole.
No one text should be construed to contradict the general
teachings of the Scriptures. By isolating one text from
the rest of the Bible we may often be led into error. Such
fanatic ideas and opinions as the fore going could be
multiplied, but we deem these enough, as "A hint to
the wise is sufficient." And we sincerely hope that
these few words may serve as a warning to those who have
not as yet learned by experience the subtlety of Satan on
these lines.
THE SECRET OF DIVINE GUIDANCE.—After
having spent some time in pointing out the forbidden ways,
it now becomes my duty to point out the true way; to
reveal the precious secret of divine guidance. Many might
point out a few breakers along the way, and yet be unable
to provide the voyager on life's sea with a chart and
compass which would invariably indicate the right course.
Dear reader, are you desirous of being led of the Lord? E
you are, the first question for you to settle is, Has God
promised to lead me? To this we unhesitatingly answer, E
you are His child He most certainly has. Let us consult
the voice of inspiration for an answer to the question.
"Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what
the will of the Lord is." Eph. 5:17. "Trust in
the Lord with all shine heart; and lean not unto shine own
understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he
shall direct thy paths." Prov. 3:5, 6. Settle it then
once for all, and never allow yourself to doubt that God
has promised to lead you if you trust Him. E you are
inclined to have your own way and seek your own pleasure
you can never expect God to lead you. The all important
thing is a full surrender to God in all things; to gladly
say from the depths of your heart, and concerning your
dearest treasures, "Thy will be done." Those who
love God and seek His guidance through the Holy Spirit
should not only be willing to keep His commandments, but
to do those things that are pleasing in His sight. Some
people seem willing to do anything if they are positively
commanded by the Word of God to do so, but are continually
afraid they will sacrifice too much or spend too much time
for God. Such people can entertain but little hopes of
being divinely led. God uses different means by which to
make His will known to us; but first, and foremost, is the
New Testament, His revealed will to man. He also uses the
Holy Spirit to lead us in things on which the Bible is
silent. And in some things we are to be guided by our God
given, sanctified judgment. Sometimes God may use
circumstances to make His will known to us. All
circumstances, however, are not providential, and can not
be relied upon. God has then provided these four special
ways of leading us: (1) His written Word; (2) Inward
impressions by the Holy Spirit; (3) Our better judgment;
(4) Providential circumstances.
While it is not strictly so, it
seems that the Word and Spirit are more especially
provided to guide us in spiritual things; while our
judgment and circumstances are to guide us in temporal
things. However, in determining the will of God in either
temporal or spiritual things we should use the combined,
four fold test given above. More strictly speaking, we may
say that the Word and the Spirit are a more direct and
strictly divine means of guidance; while our judgment and
circumstances are more indirect workings of the hand of
Providence, coming through natural sources.
THE BIBLE—If you desire to
be divinely guided in a matter, first consider whether the
Bible either directly or indirectly solves the question.
Be familiar with the Bible to know what it teaches. A
great many people read the Bible so little that they do
not know when it does settle a question. While the Bible
teaches general principles yet it is more practical than
many suppose. If a question arises as to how you should
adorn yourself, you can settle it by reading 1 Pet. 3:3. E
you are desirous of knowing how you should talk, read
Phil. 1:27. If a brother should trespass against you and
you would know what course to pursue, read Matt. 18:15-17.
If someone is overtaken in a fault and you would know how
to deal with him, read Galatians 6:1. We could multiply
such practical texts as the foregoing; but our object is
not to give a solution of every problem of life, but to
furnish the reader with a rule by which every question may
be answered according to the will of God; to place in his
or her hand a key which will admit to the knowledge of God
in all things. Reader, acquaint yourself with the Word of
the Lord, and you will find many questions solved therein
which you have hitherto supposed were not treated there.
Never draw a conclusion from one text of Scripture which
will conflict with any other text. Never do anything
contrary to the teaching of the Bible: it is an infallible
guide. Any spirit, reasoning, or circumstance, which would
impress you to do anything which the Bible forbids, or
forbids you to do anything which the Bible commands, is
not of God; is "earthly, sensual, and devilish."
Yet the Holy Spirit, your judgment, or providential
circumstances may lead you to do things which are neither
forbidden nor commanded in the Bible.
THE HOLY SPIRIT.—In things
pertaining to doctrine, the Holy Spirit always leads us
according to the Scriptures: in things upon which the
Bible is silent He leads us according to reason and
purity. The first thing to insure the leading of the
Spirit is to be saved from all unrighteousness and to be
pliable in His control. We sometimes need to know things
which the Word of God has not revealed, and which our
reason fails to fathom, and which circumstances have not
disclosed to our comprehension. For instance, the Bible
says, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the
gospel to every creature"; but it does not say where
to go first, and as some fields ripen for the harvest
sooner than others, it is often necessary to seek the
leadings of the Spirit.
"Beloved, believe not every
spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God."
1 John 4:1. Our first leadings may not be from God, so we
are commanded to "try the spirits," as they are
many. Sometimes we must exercise a little patience and
importunity in getting the mind of the Spirit. If you can
not understand the mind of God immediately, wait before
Him in prayer till He can impress you. Daniel one time
fasted and prayed for three whole weeks, to know the will
of God; and at the end of the three weeks God told him
that from the first day that he set his heart to
understand, and to chasten himself before him, his words
were heard. Dan. 10:3, 12. Some people talk much to God,
but never wait for Him to talk to them. What we mean by
God talking to us, is the illumination of our minds by the
Holy Spirit. When you have asked Him for knowledge, tarry
before Him, trust Him, and importune with Him till the
Spirit breaks the light to you and stamps on your mind the
answer to your question. You should not ask God to lead
you by His Spirit in anything He has revealed in His Word.
Those who are unwilling to obey the Bible will never be
led by the Spirit. Refusing to obey the Word, and seeking
inward impressions contrary to it, is the shortest and
surest route to the dark city of strong delusion, in which
all believe a lie and are sealed for damnation. 2 Thes.
2:10-12. Beware, traveler on life's way, lest you should
go this road! Those who have a deep willingness in their
souls to obey God never need fear to seek His leadings, as
He will never permit an honest soul to be deceived.
We should learn to know our
Shepherd's voice, whether He speaks to us by His Word,
through His Spirit, or appeals to our reason by
circumstances. Jesus says concerning His sheep, "They
know his voice." John 10:4. Oh, how sweet to hear and
know the voice of God! Sometimes while in prayer, suddenly
your mind is forcibly impressed that God would have you do
a certain thing, and you want to be sure that it is the
Lord. Do not arise from your knees at once, but consider
for a while, cast the impression aside; submit it to God,
and say, "Lord, I am willing that you should have
your way; I am willing to do this, or I am willing to
leave it undone." If after consideration it is still
impressed upon you, and it seems reasonable and is
according to the truth, God is leading you. After you are
once sure that you have the mind of the Spirit, do not
procrastinate, but do at once as God leads. The secret of
being led of God is to listen closely and obey quickly.
The leadings of the Spirit are like an alarm clock: if you
neglect to obey, the voice will grow fainter, if it does
not immediately depart.
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