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Being lead of the Spirit

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by freeatlast, Feb 2, 2012.

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  1. freeatlast

    freeatlast New Member

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    [SIZE=+0]We hear this all the time. People claiming that they were lead of the Spirit. Women who become preachers say it, men who become preachers say it, missionaries say it, people in their giving say it, people who claim healing, visions, interpretations, putting off baptism until it is convenient, and so on, many say it. It seems to be a justification for just about everything we do and certainly justifies a lot of what we do, at least in our minds as well as make us seem spiritual. We seem to claim the Spirit's leading even in the mist of sin and claim because we are being lead it is not sin.
    So tell me. I would like to hear how others decide that the Spirit is actually leading them in things and not satan who can appear as an angel of light (truth)?
    Is it some inward feeling you just cannot describe or something else? Since satan is a liar and has the ability to appear as an angel of light (truth) how do you test to see if what you are feeling/doing is of God, I mean really is of God? Just because it seems good and you are sincere is that the leading of the Spirit? Is that how you decide?
    [/SIZE]
     
    #1 freeatlast, Feb 2, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 2, 2012
  2. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    Well, I've had it many times and when you've been a believer for so long, you know His voice. It must line up with Scripture first of all but for a lot of things, it is just knowing it is God.

    Last night my daughter was ready to come home from school . It was late - her class lets out at 9:30 and she is an hour from home so she gets security to take her to her car and she comes straight home but she felt a nudge to call a friend who was also getting out of class and to take him to coffee. She never does this and she knows we really want her home and she had work at 7 this morning but the nudge was strong so she did. He agreed so they met at Starbucks and she let me know she would be late. He was floored because as he walked out of class he was praying asking God for help and guidance and was very much at the end of himself (he is a baby believer and has emotional issues) and was thinking about driving off the road on the way home. She was able to give him some solid counsel, pray with him, so a small Bible study with him and give him some homework to do and leave him knowing that he was better. THAT was from the Spirit. :)
     
    #2 annsni, Feb 2, 2012
  3. freeatlast

    freeatlast New Member

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    I am not saying you are a false teacher, but is not that exactly what every false teacher claims? They just know His voice. If satan can mimic the Spirit how is the claim "I just know His voice" a valid or safe claim?
     
    #3 freeatlast, Feb 2, 2012
  4. HankD

    HankD Well-Known Member
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    This shouldn't surprise anyone concerning those who make this claim.

    For some it is true for others it is not.

    Many make profession of knowing the Lord who do not.

    Matthew 7.
    20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
    21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
    22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
    23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.​

    The fact is no matter what anyone tells you as to how they know they are led of the Spirit will never satisfy you as you cannot infallibly look into a person's heart for verification. Only God can look upon the heart.​

    We do have a pretty reliable indication of the condition of the heart however " Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them".​

    Galatians 5
    18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
    19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
    20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
    21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
    22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
    23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
    24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
    25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
    26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.​


    HankD ​
     
    #4 HankD, Feb 2, 2012
  5. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    I guess they can - a wolf in sheep's clothing. But a discerning believer just "knows". We have another new believer in our congregation who wrote on Facebook last weekend that she was watching Biblical Mysteries Explained on Planet Green. I told her "Be careful" and she posted back immediately "I'm getting an uneasy feeling watching this. I'm changing the channel" I told her I was proud of her - that was the Spirit convicting her that it was wrong. This woman was into a lot of bad stuff before she was saved and this would have been perfect for her just a few months before but now she just knew in her heart it was wrong.

    No, we can't always go by "feelings" but I do tell my girls to listen to a voice when it is are strong enough to not let go. Oftentimes God's voice is a whisper but I've found He can also be loud - especially as you become accustomed to it. Again, it must not contradict Scripture and I'd rather err on the side of caution in most cases (like don't go down the dark alley in the middle of the night even though you feel a strong nudge) but if God's leading you to speak to someone, do it.
     
    #5 annsni, Feb 2, 2012
  6. Luke2427

    Luke2427 Active Member

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    I think God guides us through providence and the Scriptures.

    But I think folks open a Pandora's Box when they start thinking that God speaks words to them in their hearts.

    We are supposed to make decisions based on wisdom- not some extra-biblical revelation God whisper's in the ears of our hearts.

    This does not discount what Ann said, though.

    God can make someone feel uneasy about something or make feel compelled to do something for no apparent reason.

    But even that ought to be WAY down on the totem pole of how we make decisions day to day.

    The rule should be- "What is wisest in this situation?" Figure that out and DO IT.

    That ought to be the way we live- not praying and waiting for feelings. That's not a good NOR biblical way to live.
     
    #6 Luke2427, Feb 2, 2012
  7. DaChaser1

    DaChaser1 New Member

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    jesus Himself was led by the HS to go out into the wilderness after his water Baptism, so it IS indeed something that happensto Christians!

    Its usually more as a prompting/urging to me, that you feel that the lord is directing you to share with someone, to offer financial assistance etc...

    How to check to see if it is from him or not?

    is what he seems to be directing you to do agree with the Scriptures, and does it honor/glorify Christ, as the HS "job" is to do both!
     
    #7 DaChaser1, Feb 2, 2012
  8. Christos doulos

    Christos doulos New Member

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    It's called feelings and being pragmatic. If it feels good or if I am doing good, then it can't be wrong.

    I use to debate with certain Christians about the great commission. They said, they will not share their faith until they are drawn to or "feel the spirit" My rebuttal was, then why can't you follow the great commission and share your faith with others until you are drawn or feel the spirit to stop?

    Feelings are dangerous; that is the flesh.
     
    #8 Christos doulos, Feb 2, 2012
  9. freeatlast

    freeatlast New Member

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    :thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:
     
    #9 freeatlast, Feb 2, 2012
  10. DaChaser1

    DaChaser1 New Member

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    We do not opearte thoguh as Christians in a 'closed system"

    Not JUST the Bible period....

    We have the revelation from/of God in His word, but als ohave the HS to lead/direct Guide us

    "He is there , and He is not silent!"
     
    #10 DaChaser1, Feb 2, 2012
  11. freeatlast

    freeatlast New Member

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    I think you have hit the nail on the head as that/your is the mindset of much of the church today. :tear: God's word is no longer the absolute authority.
    For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
     
    #11 freeatlast, Feb 2, 2012
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  12. DaChaser1

    DaChaser1 New Member

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    the Bible IS indeed the revelation of God to us today, and that is infallible and without mistakes in it, ONLY authority as reagrding spiritual practice and doctrine...

    its just that we also have the HS with us, and He can also work in us to lead/direct/gude and enable us to fulfill the Scripture principles in our lives!

    He does even today grant spiritual Gifts to Christians , and He empowers us to use them on behalf of Christ!
     
    #12 DaChaser1, Feb 2, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 2, 2012
  13. Christos doulos

    Christos doulos New Member

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    I agree, but whatever you "hear" from God must align with scripture or else it can't be from God. So why would you need to "hear" from God when He already speaks to us through scripture?
     
    #13 Christos doulos, Feb 2, 2012
  14. Amy.G

    Amy.G New Member

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    Well I'll tell ya. :laugh:

    God does reveal Himself through scripture, but God has plans and purposes for each of us individually. Scripture says that some are called to preach, some to evangelize, some to teach, ect, but it does not say if you were called to preach or teach or evangelize. You must hear from the Holy Spirit in order to know what His purpose for you is. So you must be in right relationship with God and be willing to "hear" His call.
    There are also many times in a Christians life that God will compel him to do something. You don't know why. You just know that you have to do it. Later, you'll find out the reason.
     
    #14 Amy.G, Feb 2, 2012
  15. DaChaser1

    DaChaser1 New Member

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    that is a big proof that it was the HS speaking to you internally, and not too much Pizza!

    whatever you are prompted/led to do will always agree with the bible, as the Author of it will always agree with it!
     
    #15 DaChaser1, Feb 2, 2012
  16. MB

    MB Well-Known Member

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    I am God dependent. I rely on Him. I would not have made it this far with out Him. I'm one of His many sheep. I know His voice and I am known by Him. How do you know if God speaks to your heart?
    MB
     
    #16 MB, Feb 2, 2012
  17. freeatlast

    freeatlast New Member

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    When He speaks to me it always agrees with scripture.
     
    #17 freeatlast, Feb 2, 2012
  18. MB

    MB Well-Known Member

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    I should hope so though you should recognize His voice. He said you would. In John 10.
    What if you don't happen to have the Bible with you and He has told you to talk to someone and help lead them to Salvation. I know you wouldn't just ignore the call. You would listen and you should know enough of what you know of God's word to know what He tells you and that it is really His will for you to do this or say that.

    For me God directs my path. He uses me like a trumpet player uses his trumpet. I'm just the willing puppet, He pulls my strings.
    MB
     
    #18 MB, Feb 2, 2012
  19. freeatlast

    freeatlast New Member

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    The only way to know it is if it agrees with the word.
     
    #19 freeatlast, Feb 2, 2012
  20. Luke2427

    Luke2427 Active Member

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    What is the "it" here that must agree with God's word?

    Is it a feeling?

    Is it a thought that pops into your mind?

    What is this "it" that comes from God?
     
    #20 Luke2427, Feb 3, 2012
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