Letting The Spirit Guide

As we have looked at the various kings over the past few weeks, one mistake has come out repeatedly, and it is the same problem we saw with the college students in the previous post.   They became proud of what they could do and acted without consideration of the overall plan, resulting in problems later.  We need to find out exactly what the plan is so that we do not cause trouble in the future.    

In working construction, it is essential to study the blueprints and specifications carefully.  Unfortunately, even the best plans and blueprints cannot explain every detail, with the result that we need to coordinate certain details with the general contractor to find out what is the best approach.  The better relationship one has with the general contractor, the easier such problems are to resolve. 

In our Christian life, it is necessary to study the scriptures just as a builder studies the blueprints and specifications.  II Timothy 2:15 commands, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  This is critical, because as II Timothy 3:16-17 tells us, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”  By taking the time to study the scriptures, we can learn what we need to do to fulfill God’s plan for our lives. 

In working as a plumber, I learned that some plumbers focus strictly on mechanically following the blueprint exactly as drawn.  Unfortunately blueprints do not always show possible problems, so if anything gets in the way they simply chop it out and leave it for someone else to fix, costing the contractor both time and money and creating bad feelings between the plumber and other workers.   In many cases the entire problem could have been avoided by consulting with the builder to see how he would prefer things to be done.  If one has established a good relationship with the builder, he may suggest minor changes that eliminate the problem, such as offsetting a pipe or moving a fixture a couple of inches to eliminate the problem.

 Some Christians take the same approach of doing everything exactly as they interpret the scriptures, making no allowance for the fact that human words do not always convey the spiritual meaning.  As a result, they simply plow ahead with no thought of what the impact of their actions.  Christians who really want to please God take the trouble to find out how he wants them to handle these situations.  This requires developing a proper relationship with Him, and that starts again with a study of the scriptures, as John 5:39 states.  “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”

Because human logic and human language are limited in their ability to convey spiritual truths, we cannot fully understand God and his plans without help.  Fortunately, God had addressed that problem by giving us the Holy Spirit to enable us to remember and understand spiritual things, as John 14:26 explains.  “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”   John 16:13-15 makes it clear he will go beyond just the words of the scriptures, guiding us into all truth.  “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 show you things to come.  He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.  All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you.” 

Any changes to the original plumbing blueprint still have to meet the building code and the owner’s approval.  Similarly, any changes the Holy Spirit directs will remain in compliance with the word of God and his plan.   He will not authorize us to go against what God has commanded.   Any contradiction of the scriptures clearly cannot be the result of the Holy Spirit’s leadership, and is unacceptable.  I Corinthians 14:36-8 makes the clear point that we should not think we have some special authority beyond what his word says.  “What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?   If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.  But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.”  If a person is truly spiritual, they will understand that God’s rules are always true.  A person who doesn’t recognize that is ignorant of spiritual matters.