That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun.

   Is there anything of which it may be said, “ See, this is new”? It has already been in ancient times before us.   

Ecclesiastes 1:9-10 NKJV

Many times in my Christian walk, if I implied that God wanted to do something new or even express old truths from a fresh perspective folks would get a distant, far away look in their eyes and quote this passage. However, I believe this passage requires further study. One foundational principle of hermeneutics (which is the science and art of Bible interpretation) is that we always view a scripture in the light of the rest of the Bible. Do you realize how many “new” things God talks about after this scripture?

 I am the LORD, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, 
Nor My praise to carved images. 
    

 Behold, the former things have come to pass, 
And new things I declare; Before they spring forth I tell you of them.”

Sing to the LORD a new song, And His praise from the ends of the earth, You who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, You coastlands and you inhabitants of them!

Isaiah 42:8-10 NKJV

 “ Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. 
 

  Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness 
And rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43:18 NKJV

 “ You have heard; See all this. 
And will you not declare it?
 I have made you hear new things from this time,  Even hidden things, and you did not know them.

Isaiah 48:6 NKJV

How long will you gad about, O you backsliding daughter? For the LORD has created a new thing in the earth— A woman shall encompass a man.”

Jeremiah 31:22 NKJV

 “Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah—

 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the LORD.

Jeremiah 31:31-32 NKJV

 Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. 
      

 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23 NKJV

New heart and new Spirit. (Ezekiel 36:26)

New tongues (Mark 16:17)

New Birth (John 3)

New Commandment (John 13:34)

New creation (II Corinthians 5:17)

New and Living Way (Hebrews 10:20)

 There is nothing new under the sun.

I believe the qualifier to that verse is “under the sun”. In this natural world, there is no new thing. However, God is not limited to this natural world. In Christ neither are we.

 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,

 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

  and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

Ephesians 2:4-6 NKJV

This is good news because satan is called the god of this world.

 The eyes of those who do not believe are made blind by Satan who is the god of this world.

2 Corinthians 4:4 New Life Version

Since there is nothing new under the sun, then satan cannot bring something new from out beyond Pluto somewhere against us. Satan is limited to what is common to man.

 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV

The fact is that God is infinite.  As long as God is infinite, there is more to learn about Him. There is always a deeper depth of relationship with Him than we are currently experiencing. There are deeper depths to the moving of His Spirit than we have experienced before. God is a God of wonders.

Wonder- something strange,” causing the beholder to marvel, is always used in the plural, always rendered “wonders,”

A sign is intended to appeal to the understanding, a “wonder” appeals to the imagination, a power (dunamis) indicates its source as supernatural.

(Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words)

According to W.E. Vines, if God does something you could fully understand it is not a wonder. It is sad how many Christians stand in judgment of the various ways God manifests Himself. However, some of the same people say that God works in mysterious ways! When someone dies unexpectedly in a tragedy or do not receive their healing for whatever reason they say, “Well brother, God works in mysterious ways.”  According to Jesus, anything that steals, kills and destroys is not from God (John 10:10),but from satan. When someone moves in the Spirit in a way that their flakey flesh does not like or understand they criticize it.

Many object to the way the Spirit of God moves because they cannot find a specific scriptural example for God moving in that way. The truth is God has an infinite amount of ways of moving in our lives. John says that if everything Jesus did was recorded, that the world could not contain the books. The Bible gives us a representative sampling of ways God moves.  Where did Peter find a scriptural precedent that people can be healed from his shadow? Where did Paul get the Spiritual “green light” to use aprons and handkerchiefs to minister healing and deliverance to people? These are examples of wonders.

Paul says that our natural mind cannot receive the things of the Spirit of God because they are spiritually discerned.

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

1 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV

The word natural man literally means “soulical man”. You will not be able to discern the will of God with your natural mind. Mind renewal is important, but is a result of spiritual illumination that ends in the renewal of the mind.

So if you see something a minister does that you do not understand, just put it on the shelf and pray for God to give you insight. But, never come against something just because you do not understand it. Discrediting someone’s ministry is one way of not discerning the Body of Christ.

 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep (die prematurely).

 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.

1 Corinthians 11:28-31 NKJV

We should be open for God to manifest Himself in whatever way He desires even if it is new to us.

Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand).

Jeremiah 33:3 Amplified

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Romans 8:14 NKJV

In our previous lessons on being led by the Spirit we discussed the importance of being led, followed by ways to develop sensitivity to the Spirit of God. In this lesson we will discuss practical ways God leads. However, before we discuss ways God leads we need to set a a couple of guidelines. First of all, God usually leads you within your realm of influence. In other Words God will not give you a “word” to line out your pastor concerning the direction of the ministry. That is in his realm of influence not yours. If you feel like you are getting that kind of leading make sure you are not misinterpreting God’s leading. Jeremiah, for example, prophesied over nations because he was set over nations.

I ordained you a prophet to the nations.
Jeremiah 1:5c

Secondly, if we want to be led consistently, we must honor the different ways God leads.

Do not despise prophecies.
1 Thesselonians 5:20 NKJV

Despising in the Bible has a different meaning than our modern understanding. Today, when someone says they despise something they mean they hate or loathe it. In the Bible, however, to despise just means to take lightly or esteem as unimportant.

Do not treat prophecies with contempt
1 Thesselonians 5:20 NIV

Do not spurn the gifts and utterances of the prophets [do not depreciate prophetic revelations nor despise inspired instruction or exhortation or warning].
1 Thesselonians 5:20 Amplified

Do not scoff at prophecies,
1 Thesselonians 5:20 New Living Translation

Do not treat prophecy as if it were unimportant.
1 Thesselonians 5:20 New Century Version

Although in context this verse speaks of prophecy, the principle applies to all ways God leads. Let us not despise any of the ways God leads whether or not it fits our preconceived ideas. One practical way we honor different ways God leads is to write it down. I have lost many revelations and insights by simply not writing them down. When they come to us they come so clear sometimes that it seems we will never forget. But when that anointing leaves we often forget. Let us now look at some ways God leads.

1. The Word of God.

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
2 Peter 1:19 KJV

No valid leading from the Holy Spirit will violate the written Word.

For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.
1 John 5:7 NKJV

The Word is the measuring stick by which we measure all leading. If someone says that the Holy Spirit is leading them to “shack up” with their girlfriend, we know that is not valid leading because it violates the written Word.

Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
Hebrews 13:4 NKJV

We will never go wrong following the Word. Where the scripture is silent we seek God’s specific direction for our life. I heard one minister say it this way. Green lights are in the Bible and red lights come through inward witness. Jesus told His apostles to go into all the world and preach the gospel (Green light). That was the Word of God to them and to us. Yet in certain places in the Book of Acts we see, as they moved on the Word, the Spirit of God forbidding them (Red light) to go certain places.

Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.
Acts 16:7 NKJV

Sometimes the Holy Spirit will quicken a Word from the Bible as a means of leading to you. Once I was waiting to go into a job interview and I had a copy of prosperity scriptures from different translations that I had compiled in my notebook. While I was reading it a passage seemed to stand up off of the page.

Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage (or inheritance). As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God.
Ecclesiastes 5:18-19 NKJV

I knew then that I was going to get the job I was interviewing for. To be honest, before,I was intimidated and not sure whether or not I would get the job. That leading gave me confidence in the interviewing process and I got the job. Sometimes God will speak a devotional word to a specific individual. I heard an example of this when a lady was praying for her brother to be delivered from marijuana. While she was praying the scripture reference came to her, “Psalm 81:6”. So she went to her Bible and looked it up.

I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots.
Psalm 81:6 KJV

This ministered encouragement to her. Now, a word of warning, when dealing with a devotional word it would be incorrect for her to teach that this passage is referring to marijuana because the Holy Spirit seemed to tell her so. The Holy Spirit made play on words to minister encouragement to her, but when we study the Bible we must apply established rules of Biblical interpretation.

2. Peace.

“ For you shall go out with joy, And be led out with peace;
Isaiah 55:12 NKJV

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Colossians 3:15 NKJV

When you are praying about a decision and you feel like you should do something, take a step in that direction and check the peace. The peace, not in your head, but down in your spirit. This is why it is important to develop sensitivity as we discussed in the last article. Notice the Amplified Bible says that peace, “acts as an umpire”. If you take a step in that direction and you feel peace take another one. If you feel inner turmoil or unsettling t take a step back. I remember once I was making a business decision and my children were small. They were getting fitful and tired so I was ready to get it over with. When I was signing the contract, I had bells and warning sirens going off on the inside of me. It reminds me of the robot on the old “Lost in Space” episodes, “Danger Will Robinson, Danger!” I yielded to the pressure of the circumstances rather than the inward leading and went through with it. It became apparent that very day I had made a big mistake. Thank God it was not a life and death situation.

3. Inward Witness.

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
Romans 8:16 NKJV

One way this manifest is through an inward impression or knowing. It can either be thunderous or a still small voice. There have been leadings i have received that I could have easily overridden. This is where time spent in the Word is invaluable so that you can determine whether or not that was you r mind or spirit.

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12 NKJV

The more time you spend in God’s written Word, the more you can recognize God’s inward witness. You can renew your mind to discern between soul (mind, will and emotions) and spirit (the place where the leading of God comes from).

Therefore thus says the LORD: “ If you return, Then I will bring you back; You shall stand before Me; If you take out the precious from the vile, You shall be as My mouth.
Jeremiah 15:19 NKJV

The “vile” spoken of here need not be cussing or telling dirty jokes, but rather soulish earth bound thinking. When we separate earthbound thinking from God thoughts we become as His mouth.
Also praying in other tongues is an invaluable way to get sensitive to the Spirit of God. Jesus said that out of our belly shall flow rivers of living water. When we pray in tongues it is a manifestation of that river. The more we yield to that river by praying in other tongues, the more we become familiar with the source of all other of God’s leading. God’s witness will come from the same location that the tongues will come from.

For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:
Acts 15:28 NKJV

Notice the wording of this passage. They did not see a vision or hear an audible voice (although both are valid ways God leads). It just seemed good to the Holy Ghost and unto them. This is why sensitivity and leading are so interrelated. One of the words for prophet under the Old Covenant literally means to “bubble up”. Sometimes words will just bubble up out of your inner man in the same manner that unknown tongues wo would. Only this time the bubbling up is in your known language and will be God’s direction for you.
According to Kenneth E. Hagin, there three levels of revelation or inward witness.

1. Knowing
2. Hearing
3. Seeing

Knowing would be the least and seeing being the greatest level of revelation.

Another way the inward witness manifest, is through a strong desire.

Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4 NKJV

God often leads us through a strong desire. Once I was driving down the road listening to Christian radio. I heard an advertisement for a Bible School. I had a strong desire rise up on the inside of me to go to that Bible School, especially when they mentioned the “Full Gospel History” course. This was not just a “happy-wouldn’t-that-be-nice-thought”. It was an intense desire. Through a series of events I moved to another town. I ended up at a church where the Pastor was the instructor for the “Full Gospel History” course as well as other courses at that same Bible School in another city. I could not have planned that in a thousand years. Other times I have had a strong desire to pray for someone. And when I do, I find out later that they were dealing with things I had no natural knowledge of. I am not telling you these things to seem like a “hot dog”, God wills to use you the same way.

4. Audible Voice

Sometimes God speaks with an audible voice. I will point out that this is usually the exception rather than the rule.

5. Gifts of The Spirit.

Do not just move out on a prophetic word. If it is true it will bear witness on the inside of you. If it does not bear witness, do not immediately throw out, for it could be counsel for the future. Put it on a shelf and meditate on it.

6. Dreams and Visions

‘ And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams.
Acts 2:17 NKJV

I know many times Bible teachers use dreams and visions figuratively. They use these passages to refer to dreams and visions on a natural level. Like, I have a dream to own a new house or this is the vision for my business. That is okay as long as we understand that when the Bible speaks of dreams and visions it is literally talking about divinely influenced dreams and visions. That is not to belittle having a “vision” for your business as you should. Neither is it to belittle daydreaming, which when is sanctified by the Word of God is a form of meditation. For this study, however we will discuss divinely appointed dreams and visions. Dreams and visions are so closely related that they are governed by the same principles.

He will fly away like a dream, and not be found; Yes, he will be chased away like a vision of the night.
Job 20:8 NKJV

The primary difference between dreams and visions is that dreams occur when you are asleep, whereas, visions occur when you are awake.

Let us consider visions first. According ding to Kenneth E. Hagin, there are three levels of vision from least to greatest.

1. Spiritual vision
2. Trance vision
3. Open vision

There is not much difference between the highest form of revelation and the lowest form of vision. A spiritual vision is when you just see an image down on the inside of you. One time I had a brief little mental movie down on the inside of me. I saw one of those skeletons like in biology class. It looked as if a camera zoomed in on the hip of that skeleton. I could have easily overridden it. Yet it turned out to be a word of knowledge concerning someone who needed healing in their hip. Another time I saw one of those antique dolls that have the hinged joints. The vision zoomed in on the wrist. It turned out to be a word of knowledge about someone who needed healing in their wrist.
A trance vision is when a persons natural faculties are suspended and they see things.

Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth.
Acts 10:10 NKJV

In the Greek it says that Peter fell over bodily. Peter had fallen out under the power of God when he had this vision. You may or may not fall out under the power of God when you receive a trance vision, either way it is equally valid. This happened to me once that I can remember. I was sitting in Bible School and It was like the whole classroom went away both visually and audibly and I saw a vision.

An open vision is when all your natural faculties are not suspended and you see a vision superimposed over your surroundings. For instance, if you are standing in your living room you see your couch, tv and everything else is still there, yet you see something there supernaturally.

Finally let us consider dreams. In the second chapter of Matthew we see three different incidents of God using dreams to spare His people.

Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
Matthew 2:12 NKJV

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.”
Matthew 2:13 NKJV

Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s life are dead.” Matthew 2:19 NKJV

The subject of dreams is too vast and misunderstood to tack onto the end of another lesson. So I will just seed some facts about dreams.

1. We have no scriptural example of a literal dream.
2. Almost every dream in the Bible is symbolic and required an interpretation.
3. Dreams occur when man’s natural defenses and prejudices are down, thus speaking things that he might miss when he is awake.

For God may speak in one way, or in another, Yet man does not perceive it.
In a dream, in a vision of the night When deep sleep falls upon men, While slumbering on their beds,
Then He opens the ears of men, And seals their instruction.
In order to turn man from his deed, And conceal pride from man,
He keeps back his soul from the Pit, And his life from perishing by the sword.
Job 33:14-18 NKJV

4. Some dreams are prophetic.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Romans 8:14 NKJV

There are actually principles found in the Word of God that increase sensitivity to the Spirit of God. God is always speaking. If we are not hearing Him it is not because He is not saying anything. The church I attend owns the radio station KMTC. I do not pick up KMTC on my radio unless I am tuned to their station. If I am not picking it up I do not need to call their station mad at them, especially if my tuner is not set to their station. I may be on an AM frequency when they are on FM. I may be too far away, out of range (Selah). I do not need to sit down and cry saying that God does not want me to hear the radio. The only reason this scenario sounds ridiculous is because we are so developed in natural understanding that very few people do not know how to operate a radio. We should be equally diligent to understand how matters of the spirit function. 1 Corinthians 1:1 literally says concerning matters of the spirit, I do not want you ignorant (gifts is italicized, the Greek word spiritual is “pneumaticon”, literally translated “spirituals” or “matters of the spirit”).

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:
1 Corinthians 12:1 NKJV

I am going to discuss some of the ways to get your “spiritual tuner” set to God’s “frequency”.
The first key I want to consider is that God always moves from the general to the specific. There are two realms to the will of God, God’s general will found in the Word of God, and the specific will that is unique to the individual. A good example of this is what has come to be known as the “great commission”.

And He (Jesus) said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
Mark 16:15 NKJV

That Word is valid to every believer whether or not you have a five-fold ministry call on your life. But although the Bible says “Go into all the world” it does not say “Travis, go to Mexico next week and have a crusade”. “Go into all the world” is God’s general will, whereas, “Travis, go to Mexico” is God’s specific will. This is important for several reasons. First of all, we need to understand we need not put the faith destroying words, “If it be thy will” at the end of our prayers when we are dealing with God’s general will expressed in the Bible. You need not pray, “Heal uncle Ned, if it be thy will. If not give him grace to bear it.” Why? Because we have God’s will concerning healing in Isaiah 53.

And by His stripes we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5b NKJV

We certainly would not pray, “Lord, save uncle Ned if it be thy will, If not give him grace to bear it. He is willing to go to hell for thy glory”. Why? Because we know God’s will relative to Uncle Ned’s and everyone’s salvation, God does not show partiality.

Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.
Acts 10:34 NKJV

For there is no partiality with God.
Romans 2:11 NKJV

We do, however, need to seek God’s will when it pertains to God’s specific leading. “Lord, do I need to buy this stock? “ “Lord, do I need to go this church?”
The next reason it is important to differentiate between God’s specific will and general will is understanding God flows from the general to the specific. For example if you are not faithful to the local church, you are not in position to expect to hear God for his specific will for your life. God is merciful and there are exceptions but I want to be in position where I can expect to hear from God. God tells us not to forsake the local church.

not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:25 NKJV

I get amused at spiritual tumbleweeds rolling from church to church that always have a “word” for you. I got a word for them, GO TO CHURCH! Until you get that right, you probably will not get any specific direction for your life.

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
James 1:22 NKJV

According to James if you see something from the Word of God and do not act on it you are self deceived. We all know people who say that everytime it comes time for a church service an “emergency” happens and they just cannot make it. Yet the same people make every ball game, fishing tournament, garage sale or Tupperware party within a fifty mile radius. Why? They are self deceived. They are not trying to lie to you when they say they cannot make it. They truly believe it. Others tell you that they cannot pay their tithes and yet eat out every meal. They are self deceived. We have to purpose to do the Word if we are going to be sensitive to God’s leading in the realm of the specifics of our life.
Another way of illustrating this principle is that power steering only works when the car is moving. We have to do what we are all called to do in the Word of God to be in position for specific leading on how we are to function in the Body of Christ. Every believer is called to be these five things.

1. Supernatural witness (soul winner)
2. Intercessor
3. Helps
4. Giver
5. Worshipper

To the degree that you fulfill these ministries that are common to every believer, is the degree you will find and fulfill your individual grace and giftings.

The second key to developing sensitivity is Faith.

By faith we understand …
Hebrews 11:3 NKJV

Faith is foundational to leading and understanding. My spiritual father Dr. Jefferson Thompson told me years ago that I am not to trust in my ability to hear God but rather, God’s ability to speak to me if I trust Him. We can get so intimidated by the notion of hearing from God that we become like the donkey chasing a carrot on a string. We have to have faith in God’s leading even if it is painfully apparent that the last hundred decisions we made were contrary to the leading of God.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
James 1:5-8 NKJV

Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Ephesians 5:17 NKJV

Notice that Paul equates wisdom with understanding the will of the Lord. So when we harmonize these two passages we understand that if we lack understanding of the will of the Lord or His leading, let us ask in faith regardless of our track record. Repent of past mistakes and move on.

The third key to developing spiritual sensitivity is humility.

The pride of your heart has deceived you…
Obadiah 1:3 NKJV

Those who refuse to walk in biblical humility are deceived and do not even know it. The more proud you are the more deceived you are.

But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory.
Daniel 5:20 NIV

Pride causes hardness of heart thus dulling us to the inner promptings of the Holy Spirit.

“ God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
James 4:6 NKJV

Though the LORD is on high, Yet He regards the lowly;
But the proud He knows from afar..
Psalm 138:6 NKJV

The fourth key to developing sensitivity is keeping the strife out of your life.

For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
James 3:16 KJV

Unity, agreement, and harmony is what God inhabits.

“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:18-20 NKJV

Many believers misquote this verse and say where two or three are gathered Jesus is in their midst. But He gives part of the qualifier in verse 18 which is agreement.

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!
It is like the precious oil (symbolizing the Holy Spirit) upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments.
It is like the dew of Hermon Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing— Life forevermore.
Psalm 133:1-3 NKJV

Also notice that the oil which represents the Holy Spirit starts at the head. We have to have a submissive attitude to spiritual authority to have sensitivity to the Spirit of God. God inhabits unity and demonic forces inhabit strife. Many are taken off of the earth prematurely because they were in strife which led to confusion which opens the door to every evil work. Marital strife can be a source of dullness.

Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.
1 Peter 3:7 NKJV

Abram did not receive any further revelation (which is part of God’s leading) until he remedied the strife.

And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. The Canaanites and the Perizzites then dwelt in the land.
So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren.
And the LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him (the source of the strife)…
Genesis 13:7-8,14 NKJV

The fifth key that is crucial to being led on a consistent basis is praying in other tongues.

He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself…
1 Corinthians 14:4 NKJV

Praying in other tongues edifies (Greek-builds up) our spirit man causing the voice of our spirit to supersede the voice of the flesh and mind.

These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.
But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
Jude 19-20 NKJV

It is these who are [agitators] setting up distinctions and causing divisions–merely sensual [creatures, carnal, worldly-minded people], devoid of the [Holy] Spirit and destitute of any higher spiritual life.
But you, beloved, build yourselves up [founded] on your most holy faith [make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit;
Jude 19-20 Amplified

In order to compare scripture with scripture we must acknowledge that the praying in the Holy Spirit that Jude is talking about is the same praying in the Spirit Paul speaks of in 1 Corinthians 14 which is praying in other tongues.

For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
1 Corinthians 14:14 NKJV

The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, Searching all the inner depths of his heart.
Proverbs 20:27 NKJV

The spirit of man [that factor in human personality which proceeds immediately from God] is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts.

Proverbs 20:27 Amplified

Because the spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, that is the part of us that God communes with. Because praying in tongues is spiritual activity it makes us more aware of our spirit from which that leading originates. Bro. Keith Moore says that if you are expecting a call you have to stay close enough to hear your phone. Praying in tongues keeps us in contact with our spirit thus making us more sensitive.

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God…
Romans 8:16 NKJV

The sixth key to developing sensitivity is that you have to be willing to be led.

If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.
John 7:17 NKJV

If you want to truly be led you have to be willing to do His will. Some believers say that they have peace about doing something but they are not willing to hear a “no”. They have their mind so set on something that they are just going through the motions of seeking God’s will.

If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land;
Isaiah 1:19 NKJV

The seventh key to being led is anointed praise and worship. Praise and worship prepares our heart for God’s leading.

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
Acts 13:2 NIV

Praise and worship also brings God’s manifest presence (for more information on this see “The Three Levels of God’s Presence”, also on this site) which is key to receiving direction.
But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel.
Psalm 22:3 NKJV

…thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
KJV

But now bring me a musician.” Then it happened, when the musician played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him (Elisha). And he said, “Thus says the LORD…
1 Kings 3:15-16a NKJV

The eighth and final key to developing sensitivity that we will discuss is fasting.

As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
Acts 13:2 NKJV

We must understand that fasting changes us and develops sensitivity. It does not change God. Fasting to change God’s mind is a hunger strike. Hunger is one of the most dominate voices of the flesh. We can develop sensitivity by temporarily putting under the voice of the flesh making way for the voice of our spirit.

I humbled myself with fasting…
Psalm 35:13 NKJV

When I wept and chastened my soul with fasting…
Psalm 69:10 NKJV

Please consult a physician before going on an extended fast.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING LED

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Romans 8:14 NKJV

I want to say first of all that this is by no means an exhaustive study on being led by the Spirit. This is such a vast subject I am only giving a representative overview to get you started in the exciting, fulfilling life of being led by the Spirit. We spend our life learning to be led by the Spirit and developing sensitivity through relationship with the Holy Spirit. Paul tells us that one of the primary marks of our sonship is the ability and willingness to be led by the Spirit of God. It is possible to know the principles of redemption, faith and confession and not be led and still fail. Many believers are trying to override God’s leading with confession (don’t get me wrong, confession is a vital part of walking in victory). I heard a good example of this from Bro. Keith Moore. He was working for Kenneth Hagin Ministries taking calls for prayer. A lady called and said that she claimed Psalm 91 over herself and got mugged anyway. She wanted to know why her angel did not protect her. After questioning her for a few minutes he found out that where she was mugged was a rough part of town. He then asked if she felt she needed to go there, to which she responded not only did she not feel she needed to go, she actually got a check in her spirit about going from the Holy Spirit. Please understand me, I am not being critical, I have done it. Many of us has done it. But let us not kid ourselves. We cannot override God’s leading with confession. This is why some people go home to heaven early.

We Are To Be Led By The Spirit And Not By Need.

Many ministers in particular wear themselves out because they are not led. They never have time for their own families because they are not led in to whom they minister to. I realize I am not called to help everyone. We would be a lot more effective if we were led. Many bankrupt themselves ministering to the poor. Jesus said that the poor we would have with us always (Matthew 26:11). So if we are led by need there will never be enough. There are also many worthy causes that need millions of dollars of support. So the answer is be led. If everyone does what God leads them to do, God’s purpose will be carried out in the earth. God himself is not and cannot be moved by need. Jesus is touched by the feeling of our infirmities (Hebrews 4:15) but not moved by them. God can only move through our faith in the Word of God. If God was moved by needs there would not be a need in the world. Our need moved God 2000 years ago when He sent His Son to the cross. In that act of redemption every need of ours was met in the mind of God. We have to appropriate it by faith. So if we are going to be led by the Spirit we cannot be led by need.

We Are To Be Led By The Spirit And Not By “Fleeces”

Many believers are “putting out fleeces before the Lord”. If you are not familiar with this line of thinking it comes from a misappropriation of the story of Gideon in Judges 6.

So Gideon said to God, “If You will save Israel by my hand as You have said—  look, I shall put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor; if there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that You will save Israel by my hand, as You have said.” And it was so. When he rose early the next morning and squeezed the fleece together, he wrung the dew out of the fleece, a bowlful of water.  Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me, but let me speak just once more: Let me test, I pray, just once more with the fleece; let it now be dry only on the fleece, but on all the ground let there be dew.”  And God did so that night. It was dry on the fleece only, but there was dew on all the ground.
Judges 6:36-40 NKJV

Although it is true that Gideon did ask to be led by wet and dry fleeces and God honored it, we have to view this story in light of its historical context. First of all the Bible is progressive revelation.

But the word of the LORD was to them, “ Precept upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little,”… Isaiah 28:11 NKJV

Simply put the characters in the Old Testament did not know everything we know under the New Covenant. Both Paul and Jesus said they were revealing mysteries kept secret from the foundation of the world. So we cannot get away with doing some of the things people did under the Old Covenant because they were walking in all the light they had. We, however, should know better.
The second thing to consider about Gideon, as well as all other Old Testament believers, is they were spiritually dead. The New Birth was not available as we know it until Jesus presented His blood on the Heavenly Holy of Holies. That is why God had to deal with His people in such drastic ways. They did not have the Spirit of God residing in their spirit to the same degree we do under the New Covenant.

He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7:38-39 NKJV

The Holy Spirit would come upon the prophet, priest, and king to accomplish a particular task. Jesus had the Spirit of God come upon Him and remain.

And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him.  I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’  And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.” John 1:32-34 NKJV

Jesus also said when we receive the Holy Spirit under the New Covenant, that He would remain with us.

Now that we have the Holy Spirit we should flow with God’s process under the New Covenant which is being led by the Spirit.
The third fact about Gideon is that his whole nation was out of fellowship with God. The whole reason God called upon Gideon to deliver His people is because they had gone into captivity because of their rebellion.
You may say, “Well brother that is all well and good, but I have never put out a fleece.” There are different variations of the fleece that believers use all the time. The underlying principle of the fleece mentality is trying to determine the will of God through natural circumstances. Some say, “Lord, if this is Your will, open the door, if not close it.” That is a fleece prayer. We are led by the Spirit, not opportunities. Satan will always offer a shortcut to your divine destiny. This is what satan did when he offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. Jesus would ultimately gain authority over the world through His death burial and resurrection. Satan was offering it to Him without having to pay the price for it. So if we require evidence in the seen realm to follow God’s leading Satan can compensate us with a counterfeit. On the other hand we are not to be led by “closed doors”. If you are led this way, all satan has to do is throw up a few roadblocks and you will say, “well, it must not have been the will of God after all”. No! If we have God’s Word and leading on it we should keep standing and keep knocking until the door opens.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
Matthew 7:7-9 NKJV

Another example of a fleece prayer is, “Lord, if this is really you, let three men with red hats walk by.”  Once again, if you are looking in the natural seen realm, you are opening yourself up for deception.

If you want to be in position to expect to receive God’s leading, you must be led by the Spirit.

Another way God led his believers that was valid under the Old Covenant was casting lots. This is how the apostles selected Matthias.

This part is a little blind to us in English. In the Greek the word “sons” is the word “Huios” (pronounced whee-os). It literally means mature sons. Contrast that word with “children” in Romans 8:16.

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
Romans 8:16 NKJV

The word translated children is the Greek word “teknon” which simply means offspring. In Hebrew culture when a son reached maturity his father would take him to the city gates, where all the business of that day was carried out (much like city hall or the courthouse of our day), and would say, “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased. Hear him.” From that day forward when the son spoke it was as if the father was speaking. He carried all the clout of the father. He would give him his signet ring that acted as a stamp that is just like the fathers signature. This is when he transitioned from a child (teknon) to a son (huios). So according to Paul, being led by the Spirit is one way we are released into greater measures of responsibility.

Not Seeking God’s Leading Is A Manifestation Of Pride.

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know whatwill happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”  But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

James 4:13-17 NKJV

When we refuse to seek God’s direction we deny His Lordship which is the height of arrogance thus causing God’s grace to wane off of our life.

But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “ God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

James 4:6-7 NKJV

It is also not wisdom to not seek counsel from someone eternal when we are finite (see James 4:14).

God’s Provision Is Tied To His Leading.

The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

Psalm 23:1 NIV

To the degree we submit to God as our Shepherd is to the degree we can expect to walk in His provision. We see this illustrated in the life of Elijah in the time of famine.

“Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan.  And it will be that you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.”

1 Kings 17:3-4 NKJV

The provision was at the Brook Cherith. Had he not gone there he would  not have received God’s provision. Just when he started to get settled in God led him to move again.

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit

After Jesus’ resurrection in Luke 24, He gave the disciples some final instructions—simple instructions. He told them to stay in the city because He was going to send them what had been promised of the Father. He said he was going to send them power from on high (v.49). The disciples did not question or try to psychoanalyze this; they stayed continually at the temple praising God (v.53). Now, let’s look at Acts.

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk^[b] from the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

—Acts 1:12-14; 2:1-4

Besides the obvious, there are two more things I want you to notice about this miracle. First, as with every miracle in the Word, it is preceded by human action. Not just any action, obedient action by faith. Additionally, all of them were filled! Not just the original disciples and not just the men. Later in Acts, gentiles also received this gift. So right from the start, God eradicates the idea that this gift of the Spirit was only for certain people. The steps are simple—are you ready to receive?

Step one. Ask God for the gift. Jesus said in Luke  11:13, “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Step two. Praise God for the gift! Yes, it’s that simple. Remember what I’ve been telling you from the start. Look back at Luke 24:53. They continually praised God.

Step three. Get your spirit, soul and body on one accord (Acts 2:1). Basically, your thoughts and actions should line up with what you want and what your spirit needs. For example, if you wanted to lose 20 pounds, would you keep eating fast food and being sedentary? Keep your childlike faith and get yourself on one accord.

Step four. Receive it. As you pray the Psalms or simply thank God for His goodness, begin to sing your own song to Him. Begin to speak from your Spirit—the language is there, you just have to let it flow. Don’t let your natural ears deter you (or the enemy either for that matter!). It may sound and feel strange at first, but remember you are not of this world anyway! The more you hear the sound, the more comfortable you’ll become speaking. The presence of God will become more tangible to you. Do this wherever you feel comfortable. It could be in a worship service, in your kitchen or driving on the interstate (keep your eyes open while driving!). That’s simple enough—now take action.

Pitfalls and Further Instructions

When you are initially baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of tongues, it will probably be a very emotionally moving experience. However, it will not be that way every time you speak in tongues. I pray this way daily, but I’m not crying or getting goose bumps everyday. It’s just like praying in your native language, sometimes you really sense God’s presence and other times you don’t. In fact, simply look at it that way—you’ve become bilingual.

Another practical piece of advice it this, don’t become a spiritual weirdo. We want to make disciples, not scare them off! Unless someone is comfortable with you praying in tongues around them, don’t. Here I’m speaking of situations in which you may be praying for an unbeliever. Inappropriate use of tongues can even stunt the growth of a new believer. If all you ever do is pray in the Spirit or go around talking about what the Spirit told you, you will put others off. This can create an inferiority complex or confuse the thinking of another person. Paul said, “But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue (1 Corinthians 14:19).” When you’re alone or in the company of someone in agreement, pray in tongues all you want, but use wisdom. We’ll study this more in another article.

Finally, don’t expect to hear instructions right away or on every detail of your life. Again, this is not complicated. Just live your life as you know to live it according to God’s Word. Remember and meditate on the verses above. He’s our guide; He knows all things. This means if we are headed in the wrong direction, He will point us to the right way—He won’t force us. Or, if we need help with a difficult decision, He’ll give us peace when we make the right choice. The more we follow His lead, the better we’ll become. Soon, you’ll be as I mentioned in a previous article—asking the Holy Spirit to help you find a lost toy!

The steps are simple: ask, praise God, get on one accord and receive! Then leave your praise reports as comments on this page! I’m excited for you already!

Be blessed friends, and have the perfect day everyday!

Psalm 138:8

—Shontta

But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future].

—John 16:13 AMP

Jesus explains clearly what the purpose of the Holy Spirit is. He tells us what happens when we allow The Spirit to dwell in us. Let’s look at the three reasons here:

1. He guides us into all truth. This is for the times when you need to make a decision or are trying to get to the bottom of something. Personally, I have used this portion of scripture anytime I am looking for anything. It has been valuable in teaching my young son how to depend on the Holy Spirit to help him. Most recently, he was looking for one of his favorite toys that his father bought for him. We prayed, “Holy Spirit you know all things. Show us where the toy is. We thank you for doing it in Jesus’ name.” At first my son was frustrated because he had looked everywhere, but I told him to be quiet and go on with his day. You see, the Spirit is a gentle guide—we can’t be led while in a frazzle. A couple of days passed and we hadn’t found the toy. I asked my son, “Has the Holy Spirit ever let us down? Don’t we always find what we’re looking for?” He agreed. His faith and belief in the Spirit is strong because I’ve taught him to depend on Him for guidance. Yes, of course, we found the toy and praised God!

1. He relays messages to us from the Father. This is what is called a rhema word—or a word spoken directly from God to the believer by His Holy Spirit. The verse says that He tells whatever He hears from the Father and makes it known to you. So the Spirit is, in effect, a conduit or channel to the Father and we gain access by the Son Jesus Christ. This is why prayer in the Spirit (in other tongues) is mandatory if you want clear messages from the Father. At some point, we need to shut off our natural minds and pray the perfect will of God. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 14:14, “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.” Sometimes we are like my son, so mentally frustrated that we can’t hear what God is trying to say to us by His Spirit. But, when the rhema word comes and tells us exactly how to handle a situation, it always leaves us in awe. Praying in the Spirit and praying the Word—these are the only two ways I know to pray the perfect will of God. Then, those messages from Him become more clear and easier to recognize.

1. He tells us what will happen in the future. Wow! Who knows how many volumes could be written on the testimonies from this portion of the verse? How many scores of believers have averted disaster, become wealthy and broken engagements because the Spirit told them what would happen in the future? I’ve noticed however, individuals be hindered at two extremes. On one hand, the Spirit tells them the future and they become afraid and shrink back. On the other, some become arrogant and trample God’s grace and favor by self righteous acts and narcissism. Nevertheless, don’t be stifled! God always provides provision for the vision. After all, it is His vision for your life (Philippians 1:6). Joshua saw his future and God himself encouraged him to be strong and courageous (Numbers 14; Deuteronomy 1:38; Joshua 1). Forty years prior, Joshua saw what his future held. He could have become arrogant or fearful being privy to this information, but he held fast to the promise of God, got quiet and lived his life. Do you need to know your future? Get full of the Holy Ghost and He’ll tell you.

If you have not had an Acts 2 experience, this is what is necessary for you to receive the gift of tongues. The Holy Spirit is not supposed to lay dormant in you. You must exercise it daily in prayer. Allow Him to guide you as the verse says. This will revolutionize your thinking and change your life! Solomon wrote in the Old Testament, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path (Proverbs 3:5-7).”I know people all around you are panicking, but if they were saved and full of the Holy Spirit they would be at peace. What about you? Are you afraid? Confused? Don’t know how to handle your situation? Trust in the Words of Christ, get baptized in the Holy Spirit and pray in the Spirit—He will guide you into all the Truth.

Be blessed friends and have the perfect day everyday!

—Shontta

Psalm 138:8