Text:  Proverbs 17:27-28   

27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words:  and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.   28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise:  and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.  

Thursday, 2^nd May 2024        

THE HOLY SPIRIT AND IMPULSES 2

  Text:  Proverbs 17:27-28   

  Memory verse:   Proverbs 10: 19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

We must be on guard against doing what we really want to do, and blaming it on God, as if He’s the One who told us. We have an amazing capacity to deceive ourselves, and to be blind, unwilling to face the truth. And so, without doing it consciously we try to change the truth. Some assume that the inner voice that tells them to do what they don’t want to do is the voice of God, which is equally dangerous. Either way, without realizing it, many abandon the Scriptures today for what they call the Holy Spirit’s leading.

This business of God telling me this and God telling me that is very dangerous. And it’s just not biblical. How many stories have we heard about dying people being told that God says they’re going to be healed, and then they die? Recently I heard of a Christian woman who was dying and her family all suddenly had a sense that the Lord had told them that God was going to heal her. And then she died. What a bad testimony to the world. It is misleading and it confuses. Does this mean that the Holy Spirit is not our guide and our leader? Not at all. The Bible tells us that He leads us. But let’s let Him lead us in the way He says He will lead us. The Holy Spirit guides us into righteousness. He leads us to Christ. He leads us in the way that He has called us to go. He guides us into the way of love. He shows us the path of truth.

Following the leading of the Holy Spirit means doing what you know God wants you to do, yielding to the Spirit and not to the flesh, obeying the part that wants what God wants, not to the part that wants to sin. What is my flesh wanting me to do, and what is the Spirit wanting me to do? We all get wrapped up in questions like how we are going to spend our time and what we are going to do. But this is not the kind of question God is primarily concerned with. He is concerned about the godliness of our hearts. He is concerned about our affection for Christ. Too many times we are saying, "Lord, lead me in this decision," when we should be saying, "Lord, lead me in the way of righteousness." And even when it comes to specific non-moral guidance, there is no denying of the fact that the Holy Spirit provides guidance for believers, but it is a very serious question of how He does it. He does it by leading through the process of wisdom, which includes the evaluation and consideration of impulses, but doesn’t give them absolute sway as if they were the accurate voice of God.

CGDS HYMN 1; SS&S 1167: BE THE MATTER WHAT IT MAY, ALWAYS SPEAK THE TRUTH

CGDS HYMN 1; SS&S 1167:

BE THE MATTER WHAT IT MAY,

ALWAYS SPEAK THE TRUTH

1. Be the matter what it may, always speak the truth;

Whether at your work or play, always speak the truth

Never from this rule depart, grave it deeply on your heart,

Written 'tis upon your chart :

" Always speak the truth ! "

2. There's a charm in honesty, always

speak the truth ; [speak the truth ;

There is meanness in a lie; always

He is but a coward slave, who, a present pain to waive,

Stoops to falsehood; then, be brave;

Always speak the truth.

3. When you're wrong, the folly own,

always speak the truth;

There's a triumph to be won, alway speak the truth ;

He who speaks with lying tongue adds

to wrong a greater wrong;

Then, with courage true and strong,

Always speak the truth.

   Prayers: 

1. Holy Spirit, lead me from the inside of me beyond or against the desires of my flesh always.

2. LORD God Almighty, always lead through Your scriptures and not allow me walk in presumptions, but  the accuracy of Your will in Jesus’ name. Amen.    

3. Pray for others in this regard.