2. THE PERSONAL LEADING OF GOD

3. So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. (Romans 8:12-14 ESV) For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2 ESV) Flesh vs. Spirit, self vs. word, inner leading vs. Spirit leading

4. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. (Galatians 5:16-18 ESV) Following self/flesh versus led, walk by the Spirit An inner leading versus an outward leading

5. How does the Spirit lead? “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, (John 14:15-16 ESV) When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. (Matthew 10:19 ESV) But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. (John 14:26 ESV)

6. How does the Spirit lead? “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning. (John 15:26-27 ESV) …while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. (Hebrews 2:4 ESV)

7. How does the Spirit lead? …how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. (Ephesians 3:3-5)

8. How does the Spirit lead? …how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. (Ephesians 3:3-5)

9. How does the Spirit lead? …how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. (Ephesians 3:3-5)

10. Where does the Bible teach an inward leading? Where does it give authority to feeling, thoughts, or intuition? For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV)

11. Great danger in following OUR thoughts Abraham said, “I did it because I thought, ‘There is no fear of God at all in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’ (Genesis 20:11 ESV) For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, (Mark 7:21 ESV) They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. (John 16:2 ESV)

12. Great danger in following OUR thoughts For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 ESV) Scripture discerns thoughts not the other way around

13. What about God opening doors? But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. (1 Corinthians 16:8-9 ESV) Open door doesn’t mean smooth sailing, i.e., MANY ADVERSARIES Open doors are just perceived opportunities Paul DIDN’T stay in Ephesus

14. What about God opening doors? When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia. (2 Corinthians 2:12-13 ESV) Open doors are just perceived opportunities, not a command Opportunities still need to be weighed with wisdom and other factors

15. What about God giving signs? Are you ready to deal with coincidence? Are you asking for a miracle? (Like Gideon’s fleece or Hezekiah’s sundial?)

16. ANY examples of special guidance? Yes But it is EXTREMELY RARE And it is an INTRUSION, i.e., no one sat around waiting on it Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. (Hebrews 1:1-2 ESV)

17. And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” (Acts 15:36 ESV) No nudges, feelings, intuitions, burdens on his heart And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. (Acts 16:6-7 ESV) God’s guidance was supernatural and it was clear, without a doubt from God