How Can We Follow the Spirit?
by Chuck McKnight, AiG–U.S.
Today’s big question: how can we follow the Spirit?
Our passage for today may seem a bit strange at first. The
Holy Spirit actually forbade Paul and his companions to speak in certain
locations. How could this be? Isn’t sharing God’s Word a good thing? Why would
God not want them to speak in these places?
The answer to these questions is found in the subsequent
verses. At that time, the Spirit specifically wanted these men in Macedonia.
Yes, preaching to the lost in Asia or Bithynia would generally have been a good
thing to do, but it was not God’s specific direction for them.
That raises an important question. How can we determine
where He is leading us? For the most part, God has not chosen to speak to us
audibly in this age. He does, however, speak to us in other ways, if we are
willing to listen.
First, we should already be living our lives with a desire
to please God. Whether or not we currently know the specific directions He has
for us, we do know the universal commands He has given in His Word. We know
what pleases Him, and we know what grieves Him. If we are not already obeying
God’s universal commands, we should not wonder why He has not shown us our
specific directions.
Second, we should actually ask God what He would have us to
do. He has given us the wonderful privilege of coming before Him in prayer. Why
not use that gift to ask for His guidance? Instead, we so often make our own
plans, and then we ask Him to bless them. That isn’t how it’s supposed to work.
Third, we should not expect God to immediately reveal the
whole course of our lives to us. He wants us to come to Him every day and every
hour. I have found that God always gives directions when I’m obedient and ask
Him, but He often waits until the very moment He wants me to follow those
directions.
Finally, we should constantly watch for His leading and be
ready to obey as soon as we are directed. This leading can come in any number
of forms. Sometimes it is a need placed before you that you know you could
fulfill. It could be a brother who asks for help. Perhaps it is simply a burden
that God places on your heart. And sometimes it is a closed door you may have
planned to enter.
Today’s big idea: seek the Spirit’s guidance, and be ready
to obey.
What to pray: ask God to reveal His plan for you in His
timing.
