How to Know You are being Led by the Spirit [podcast]

Firstly, since there are many ungrounded flakes today claiming God is telling them things or leading them, let’s speak of the danger of using God’s holy name in vain.

“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” Exodus 20:7

It’s a dangerous proposition to be attaching the holy, the very name of the LORD to things He is not saying. Such is the work of counterfeits, false prophets. Read the severe warning in Jeremiah 23:30-40 on this matter. We know for sure that HE has and is speaking through His written Word and such keeps us all safe (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

BEWARE when you hear people speak about the “Holy Spirit” and not the written Word! This is a dead giveaway of someone who wants to claim, to attach the name of the Holy Spirit or the LORD to things that He didn’t say in His Word – which includes “ALLLLL things that pertain unto life and godliness” for all times (2 Peter 1:3-4).

Memorize now:

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalms 119:105

Beware of the pretenders claiming to be highly spiritual in hearing from God yet never seeking to exhort others to get into God’s Word for themselves – because they want you following, depending on them (2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17). Any person pretending to be representing Christ and yet is not getting His audience grounded in the written Word, is absolutely a self-serving false prophet.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

These self-appointed people always seem to have to be in the drivers seat, always having a supposed dream, vision, or word they claim is from God. Yet, the authentic disciple of Jesus devours, personally procures God’s Word daily and so he/she is not impressed with someone making these claims as they take the name of the LORD in vain by attaching His holy name to things that are not from Him.

“Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD. … How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart;” Jeremiah 23:16, 26 

Clear Proof One is Walking in the Spirit

God is eternally perfect, He is God alone. He will never lead anyone contrary to His Word but rather always in exact accordance of what He has stated.

WONDERING whose voice is speaking to you? WHEN it’s God you will know it because HE is leading you to repentance and confession of all sin, to the cross, to the throne of His grace and mercy! Boom.

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Romans 8:13-14

The primary way we are blessed to be dominated and led by the Holy Ghost instead of the flesh is to be given over to the LORD in the crucified life! In the above passage, verse 13 precedes verse 14 by divine design.

LOTS OF PEOPLE CLAIMING TO BE LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT: Jesus anoints His people with His Holy Ghost to put to death the deeds of the body (Romans 8:13-14)! If you are truly full of and led by the Holy Spirit, you are denying yourself, taking up the cross daily, and authentically following Him (Luke 9:23-24, etc.). We seldom hear these things together…. And they are biblically inseparable! Without exception, the truly anointed person, led by the Holy Spirit, lives a crucified life.

Yes it is those who are led by the Holy Spirit of God that are revealed to be truly of God. Yet, who are those people? Among all who claim to be following Jesus, who are those that make up His “little flock”? (See Luke 12:32.) Jesus made it clear that “many” who fully believe they are His really are not following Him and are not His and will be rejected in the end for not truly adhering to His Word (Matthew 7:21-29, etc.).

EVERYthing must be tested by Holy Scripture (Acts 17:10-11).

The Word of God is the only foundation that will not be washed away in the coming judgment (Matthew 7:21-29; Hebrews 12:24-29, etc.).

Saints, you have NO business attempting to have Christian fellowship with anyone who does not uphold the HOLY SCRIPTURES, the written Word as absolute final divine authority! (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalms 119; John 8:47)

Lots of people speak of being led by the Spirit of God and yet never mention the final divine authority of the written Word of God. This is scary. Everything must be weighed against the tangible written Word the Holy Spirit gave us just as was the case when the Bereans tested Paul the apostle against that holy, final authority standard (Acts 17:10-11; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21).

THE WRITTEN WORD OF GOD IS THE UNCHANGING WILL OF GOD.

Are you grounded in God’s Word?

The “MORE Sure Word” is God’s Written Word

Many today claim and believe they are being led by the LORD’s Holy Spirit and yet those same people believe and are doing things contrary to what the Holy Spirit of God gave us in His written Word. Who’s wrong, those people or the LORD Almighty?

There are so many today who believe they are of God and led of His Spirit and yet, are Christ’s people to believe every person who claims to be led of the Spirit?

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try (test) the spirits (against the written Word) whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1

The LORD’s apostle Paul came in the name of the LORD and yet, the noble believers in the city of Berea put him to the test as we do with our own hearts and all mere men:

“And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:10-11

Divine Truth Recorded! “…the record that God gave of his Son” is on “RECORD” in the Bible

In His blessed written Word, the LORD has given us “ALL things that pertain unto life and godliness” and all who do not believe that “record” – that which is on written record – are shown to be “not of God” (John 8:47; 2 Peter 1:3-4).

“He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” 1 John 5:10-13

Knowing We are in the Truth

Many today speak often of being led of the Spirit and yet never mention the Word. Beware! The primary way the LORD guides His New Testament church (individually and corporately) is through the Holy Scripture (2 Timothy 3:15-17, etc.). No one who is not living and being led according to the Word, is being led by the Spirit of God. In some cases, those who claim they are led by the Spirit wish to divorce themselves from truly adhering to the perfect Lordship of Jesus presented in His written Word and don’t want what they consider constraints. The true follower of Christ says with the psalmist:

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalms 119:105 (memorize today)

Regrettably, many today have been misled by the “many false prophets” who have taught them that after being saved they are not personally responsible to continue in Christ which means continuing in His Word (John 8:31-32; 15:1-6, etc.).

Two ways we can know we are in the truth and of the truth and discern whether or not others are being led of the LORD:

1. By knowing we are hearing and believing the Word of God which is the “MORE sure Word”:

“For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. 19 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: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:16-21

2. By obeying God’s Word practically:

“Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. 17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” John 7:16-17

“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.” 1 John 3:18-19

How to Make Sure You Are Following Jesus – Being Led of His Holy Spirit (synonymous)

“Bind up the testimony (written Word), seal the law (Word) among my disciples. … To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:16, 20

A fuller portion of this magnificent text will further open our eyes:

“Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples. 17 And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him. 18 Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion. 19 And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? 20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:16-20

v16 The Word is to be bound to the individual believer. All true servants of Christ endeavor to bind His people to His written Word, the primary way the LORD leads His New Testament believers and church (2 Timothy 3:16-16, etc.).

v17 The LORD is not available to the casual seeker but rather those who diligently seek Him (Jeremiah 29:11-14; Matthew 6:6; 2 Timothy 2:15, etc.).

v18 As God’s Word becomes flesh in His saints, powerful things happen by His holy hand.

v19 There are many evil spirits with falsehoods and false doctrines and only the believer who clings to the truth, the written Word, will escape their influence (1 Timothy 4:1-2, etc.).

v20 As we diligently discern by weighing all things against the written Word, we will know who is of the truth and not a wolf in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15-15; John 8:47; Acts 17:10-11; 2 Timothy 2:15, etc.).

Jesus says:

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” John 16:13-14

There is no possibility “the Spirit of truth” would lead anyone to read or listen to that which contradicts and perverts His truth (John 16:13-14; 17:17). “(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth)” (Ephesians 5:9). …. Jesus says the Holy Spirit only leads people into the truth. Any person who believes the Holy Spirit of God led them to listen to or buy the books of a wolf is under the influence of “another spirit” which is from Satan (2 Corinthians 11:2-5; Galatians 1:6-9).

The Holy Ghost, “the Spirit of truth,” will never confirm a lie in your heart. So, if you are conflicted within about something, keep praying and studying God’s Word about it – in full surrender asking Him to make you whole, to clarify, to teach you (John 16:13; 1 John 4:6).

The Fruit of the Holy Spirit will always be consistent with these 3 things: GRT = Goodness, Righteousness, Truth

• “goodness”
• “righteousness”
• “truth”

WHEN we are judging fruit – FIRST our own – these are 3 things to know that will always be consistent with the Holy Ghost working a life.

Ultimate “goodness” intended even when it’s a rebuke (Psalms 141: 5; Proverbs 27:5-6).

“Righteousness” – it will be biblically right, accurate.

“Truth” – it will aways, with no exception, be according to the truth of God which is the Word of God (John 17:17).

“Cease”

We are directly instructed to cease listening to all who do not speak strictly according to the Word of God:

“Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.” Proverbs 19:27

His Sanctified Saints

The body of Christ is being daily washed by the water of God’s Word as we fervently look for the soon return of Christ (Ephesians 5:25-27). The remnant believer allows the Word of the LORD to establish His sound doctrine in his life and is corrected by the Word as he sees his thoughts and beliefs did not align. This is how the saint of Christ is sanctified – set apart to the LORD.

The Killing Power of the Holy Ghost: What does that Mean? [podcast]

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