There are many well meaning Christians who will say that they are Holy Spirit led, yet what they think and say is only a product of human reasoning and opinion. Jesus knew this was a problem, He even rebuked Peter. Matthew 16:23 says, “Jesus turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.’” Every anointed ministry has had to deal with the opinion of man. Sadly, this occurs even in the church, especially when having to deal with leadership, spiritual or governmental.
This rebuke from the Lord was an act of true love which prepared Peter’s heart to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Acts 10-11 record the maturity of Peter’s heart. The great news is Peter learned something from the Lord’s rebuke and enjoyed sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. Acts 10:19-20 says, “While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him,..” Peter was not spoken to by an angel nor was it in a vision, but the speaking of the Holy Spirit. Peter enjoyed what was taught by Jesus about the Holy Spirit. In John 16, our Lord said, “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.” (John 16:13-14) Peter received a “word of knowledge” (1 Corinthians 12:28) on what to do. Please note that the Holy Spirit had this Word for Peter after he spent time in heart seeking, surrendered prayer.
Christians who have the same illumination as Peter have full revelation of Psalm 32:8, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” To be led of the Holy Spirit, a child of God must be willing to set aside dependence on self and natural wisdom when led of God to do so. It is important to note that the Holy Spirit can use our natural wisdom as long as we are willing to “Live by the Spirit and walk in step with the Holy Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25)
The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the dessert. (Luke 4:1) Simeon was led of the Holy Spirit to be in the temple to meet baby Jesus (Luke 2:27) The Bible says those who are “…led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” (Romans 8:14) Being led of the Holy Spirit is a sign of Christian maturity. Be led of the Holy Spirit!
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