The Leading of the Spirit

God does not prompt us before the moment comes when it is absolutely necessary for Him to reveal His will. Everything we do before God prompts us is not from Him, even though the intention can appear to be good. The Spirit of the Lord does nothing before the time. He reveals Himself at the time when we need Him—not before and not after. It is futile to seek Him before it is necessary to find Him. His faithfulness is infinitely great—He makes Himself known to us at just the right moment—but never before.

In the old covenant, God revealed Himself in various ways by sending light regarding various matters and situations. In the new covenant—in Christ Jesus—God leads us by faith. In the old covenant, they received their light from afar and were able to plan in advance what course of action they should take. In the new covenant, we are always dependent on the divine moment for our leading, which requires us to constantly abide in absolute trust, confidence, and surrender. This childlike confidence never asks “Why?” It waits patiently, no matter how long it takes, because it knows that God’s care will provide help at precisely the right moment. The greater our trust, the greater this surrender will be, and the more faithfully we will follow Him. In this way, we will receive revelations from God and will partake in what Paul speaks about in Eph. 1:17.

An unfaithful person suppresses the Spirit’s voice and before long can no longer discern His promptings. Nothing is as sensitive as the Spirit of God, and nothing withdraws as quickly as He does.

God’s Spirit works in two ways: either by drawing and gently coaxing, or by convicting and chastening. When we take heed to His voice, He will reveal His hidden treasures to us. He will lead us into His treasure chamber and share the knowledge of God with us. Those who commit themselves to His care will be transformed into the image of Christ and will become partakers of divine nature. 2 Pet. 1:4.

God’s Spirit is a guide into the truth. His task is to lead us from deep darkness into light and glory. He does not speak of Himself; He only speaks what He hears. The best works and the best intentions will be wasted efforts if they have not been prompted by the Holy Spirit. Give careful heed to this voice, be obedient to it, and you will also keep “My works,” as it says in Rev. 2:26.

A life that is lived according to the leading of the Spirit is a hidden life in God. No one except you and God will understand it. When this skillful Leader gives revelation, all outward glory pales, our soul becomes introspective, and our ears are opened. If you compare the external with the internal, you will get some understanding of the difference between what is human and what is divine.

God’s prompting does not always lead to good feelings. Its goal is the glory beyond the flesh, and its ways lead through the flesh to the goal. A new and living way has been made for us through the veil, which is His flesh. The Holy Spirit is our guide on this way, and we are the ones who are walking on it.