Watch Your Step… God’s Spirit Will Guide You

08/11/2014

watchyourstep

 

God’s Spirit will never guide you where God’s Word forbids you.  God’s Word trumps our instinct, our feelings, our peace and our conscience.

Here are some pointers from Charles Stanley as you explore God’s Word.

Caution:

It is not a good practice to search Scripture for verses that support “what I believe”…  Rather, we look in the Bible with an open heart that says, “I want to peer into the mind and heart of God… teach me.”

With that attitude… now:

*** Look for principles.

Most of us are promise centered which keeps us always on the lookout for something God will do for us.  But when it comes to living life and making decisions, principles are far more helpful than promises.  A principle is like an equation for life… If you do A, you can expect B.  If you don’t do A, you can be confident of C.

For example…

We always reap what we sow.  Gal. 5:7

People you spend time with will influence the direction of your life.  Prov. 13:20

People who hate to be corrected will eventually make stupid mistakes. Prov. 12:1

Liars are always found out.  Prov. 12:19

What you hold onto will diminish but what you give will be multiplied.  2 Cor 9:6

God always provides for the needs of the generous. Phil 4:19

You see, principles are timeless.  they apply to everyone, all the time.  …Like laws of nature.

Be confident, just about every decision you make will intersect with one or more principles of God’s Word.

 

You may say, “But I need answers for my situation now!”   For most of us, the problem is not that God won’t give answers.  The problem is we won’t take the time to look them up.

(Rom. 12:2)

 

*** Read with the context in mind.

God views our human languages as adequate to communicate spiritual truth.  That means… normal rules apply…

Don’t read more into the text than is there.  Don’t look for hidden or deeper meaning.  Take it at face value.  Let it speak.

Remember… each book… God was speaking directly to a specific people group with specific needs, concerns and issues and it is dangerous to read yourself into some of these contexts to find God’s “personal message to you.”  This can be dangerous and lead to strange beliefs, actions and practices that were not intended for you.

 

*** Look for general promises.

These are the promises to all believers for all time.  (for example: Jesus  won’t leave us as orphans in Jn 14:18 or grace and mercy when we approach God in Heb 4:16 or Is 40:31 strength to weary)

 

Another Caution:

Sometimes the Holy Spirit will take a passage out of context and apply it to you.  But that is rare.  That is the exception, not the norm.  When it does happen,  it most often comes when we need encouragement.

Now… go get into His Word.  Let God’s Spirit speak to you.

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Husband, Father, imperfect Christ-follower, artist