THE INNER GUIDE.
(Following The Leading Of The Holy Spirit).
Emmanuel B. Afolabi
JOHN 16:13 Webster's Bible Translation.
But, when he, the Spirit of truth is come, HE WILL GUIDE YOU INTO ALL THE TRUTH... whatever he shall hear, that will he speak: AND HE WILL SHOW YOU THINGS TO COME.
Everyone who is born again or born of God, has an indwelling guide. The Anointing within, the Spirit of truth, the third Person of the Blessed Trinity.
There are three major dispensations in the Bible - the dispensation of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Each of these divine personalities played a unique and vital role in the work of man's redemption. The Father hatched-up the plan of man's redemption. The Son executed the plan through His death, burial and resurrection, while the Holy Spirit came to enforce the divine plan within every believer via His permanent residency, thus working in us "...both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13).
Jesus said, "But, when he, the Spirit of truth is come (He officially arrived on the day of Pentecost), he will guide you into all the truth...And he will show you things to come."
The Holy Spirit wants to guide you, and show you things that are yet to come regarding your life, marriage, job, finances, ministry etc. If you will let Him.
The Holy Spirit is a perfect gentleman, so He is neither going to impose anything on you nor drive you like the demons do. He could give you a gentle nudge, or an inner knowing - there will be "An Inner Knowing" on the inside of you about something. And you will know, that you know, that you know, by the Holy Spirit without any shadow of a doubt!
"But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and YE KNOW ALL THINGS" (1 Jn. 2:20).
And other times, it could be an inward impression or witness.
"The Spirit itself BEARETH WITNESS WITH OUR SPIRIT, that we are the children of God (Rom. 8:16). The witness of the Spirit is also the attestation or confirmation we receive in our spirits by the Holy Spirit within us about something.
Then you could also receive guidance or direction from the Holy Spirit through revelations - dreams, visions, or an audible voice etc. But, you must ensure that any guidance or direction you receive is in line with the Word!
"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one" (1 Jn. 5:7).
Your visions, revelations or any kind of direction received must be in agreement with the Bible - the written Word of God!
Down through the ages, there has always being a constant conflict between the plan of God and the plan of man. The Holy Spirit is the divine enforcer of the plan of God on earth, and also the power house of the Church, but He has been relegated to the background.
There is no room for Him in the modern day church-setting. Human wisdom, diplomacy and methodology seems to have taken the center stage in lieu of the Holy Spirit, and yet we wonder about the deplorable state of the Church.
RESIDING WITHIN THE BELIEVER IS THE INNER GUIDE. THE COUNSELOR, TEACHER, HELPER, THE THIRD PERSON OF THE BLESSED TRINITY - GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT!
What separates the Church from the world is the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit who is at work within and through the believer, otherwise, we are no better than mere men.
The best of us is still a human being, but the presence of the Holy Spirit - The Anointing within is what makes the difference!
A Spirit-filled, and a Spirit-led Christian life is a non-negotiable if the Church must fulfill God's purpose on earth.
The phrase: "...be filled with the Spirit..." (Eph. 5:18), is neither an advice nor a suggestion, but a command from the Lord Jesus Christ to the Church!
A Spirit-filled, and a Spirit-led Christian life is God's plan for the New Testament believer, and it's meant to be a way of life - an ongoing continuous action!
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"And don't get drunk with wine, which is rebellion; instead BE FILLED CONTINUALLY WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT (Eph. 5:18 The Passion Translation).
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"...But be filled with the Holy Spirit AND CONSTANTLY GUIDED BY HIM" (Eph. 5:18 Amplified Bible).
It takes a Spirit-filled individual to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit in the first place!
Jesus was the first in the list of the Sent Ones, and the Bible says, He was led by the Spirit (Matthew 4:1). Notice, He was not led to the King's palace, and He wasn't led to an exotic location in the city, but He was led to the wilderness!
Now, this is what some folks don't like to hear. They have a wrong notion that if God is involved, you won't have another challenge. But there's no where in the scripture that God ever promised us a smooth ride to our destination in life.
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze" (Isaiah 43:2 BSB).
God promises a safe landing - but not necessarily a calm passage!
The Word says that, there are times that you will have to "...walk through the valley of the shadow of death..." (Ps. 23:4), and yet the Lord is with you as your Good Shepherd. He is leading you to the mountain top of victory!
We are not supposed to be led by circumstances, but by the Spirit of God. Following the leading of the Holy Spirit equals to walking by faith. Wherever God leads, His provisions, sustenance, favour and protection are readily available!
Many denominationalists have skillfully sidelined the operations of the Holy Spirit in their midst and thus have to carry on with mere religion, lethargy and ritualism. They feel so contented with just going through the motions of religion every now and then without any tangible relationship with the Holy Spirit.
Some fellows in large denominations bribe their way to places of choice - where there is lucrative business, so to speak. Material gains seems to be more of a priority to some folks than the advancement of God’s Kingdom.
A SPIRIT-FILLED, AND A SPIRIT-LED CHRISTIAN LIFE IS A NON-NEGOTIABLE IF THE CHURCH MUST FULFILL GOD'S PURPOSE ON EARTH.
The Holy Spirit wants to lead us always, but our head knowledge has gotten along the way, and the mind is cluttered-up with worldly desires. Our minds are already made up on many issues even before we pray about them; we've already decided on what to do!
A Spirit-filled, Spirit-taught and Spirit-led Christian life is not the privilege of a select-few, but the redemptive right of every Christian.
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God" (Rom. 8:14).
Sons and daughters of God ought to be led by the Spirit of God!
You are not suppose to grope in the dark, nor run after some so called "Prophets" in search of guidance or direction in life.
Right on the inside of the believer is an Inner Guide. The Counselor, Teacher, Helper, The Third Person of the Blessed Trinity - God The Holy Spirit!
Thank God for the prophetic ministry, but the word says to "test or prove every spirit (1 Jn. 4:1), so we could find out whether they are of God or not.
So if what is being said or prophesied does not line up with the written word and the inward witness of the Spirit or anointing within you, just discard it regardless of where the message is emanating from.
The folks in the Old Testament weren't born again, and had no relationship with God. They only had some set of rules to follow. The Old Testament Saints had to depend on the ministry of the Prophets and some few individuals whom the Spirit comes upon at intervals.
Under the New Covenant, the believer is born of the Spirit, taught by the Spirit, and led by the Spirit!
OVERC๐ดMER'S W๐RLD ๐๐ณ๐ฌ
World Overcoming Faith Gospel Ministry Inc.
Minna, Niger State, Nigeria.
☎️ +234(0)803-551-8255
๐ฉ worldovercomersngr@gmail.com
VISION:
We see a Vibrant and Victorious Church, firmly and securely built on the foundation of God's Word. Jesus is coming for a glorious Church. A Church triumphant; a Church walking in the fullness of Christ's victory!
MISSION:
We exist to bring the Saints to a place of intimacy with God. A place where they can relate with God personally, and intimately; a place where they can build their own faith in God, and stand on their two feet spiritually regardless of the circumstances, and thus become a bold, and effective witness of His redeeming love, grace and power!
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