Many think they are ‘led of the Holy Spirit’. Many think they ‘walk in the Holy Spirit’.
But, are they 'led of the Holy Spirit'?
Can a Christian be ‘led of the Spirit’ sometimes, and ‘led of the flesh or devil’ at other times?
A. Your Choices
Have you chosen to use a birth control that murders babies? All birth control pills and IUDs murder babies.
If you have, has the Holy Spirit led you to this sin? 1 John 3:15
B. Your Weight
Are you overweight?
Is gluttony sin? Deut. 21:20; Proverbs 23:21; Mat. 11:19; Luke 7:34
Did the Holy Spirit lead you to over eat?
C. Your Church
If I went to your Apostolic church for four Sunday morning meetings, could I write an order of the meetings? First the church does this, then this, then this, the sermon follows this, and then the church closes with this. What does 1 Corinthians 14:26 say? It says every church member could have a part. The Holy Spirit should be allowed to give you a part in your next church meeting.
But, the reality is for most to have a part they must first get someone’s permission – to preach, to teach, to sing, to pray, etc. If the member is given by the Holy Spirit something to preach during the meeting, forget it! The Holy Spirit is not in control, man is! The meeting is not Holy Spirit led; it is man led – tradition led.
In Azusa Street Mission, the Holy Spirit led the meetings. Brother William Seymour may never have started a meeting. He let the Holy Spirit start the meetings. Someone being led of the Holy Spirit would start to sing or pray or speak in tongues then someone would interpret, so the meeting has started, what happens next? No one knows but the Holy Spirit! Have you been in meetings like those? They are very, very exciting! NOT boring! They are very anointed; everyone receives ministry. These meetings are not a one man show! http://www.freewebs.com/bibleteach/churchmeetings.htm
Don’t you desire to be in a ‘Holy Spirit led meeting’?
The following is from a book I have written on ‘walking in the Holy Spirit’.
When you walk in Holy Spirit you will (Gal.5:16-25)
Definition of walking in Holy Spirit: You will be doing God's will
"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (17) For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (18) But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. (22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (25) If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." Galatians 5:16-25
When you walk in Holy Spirit: - You will not sin - You will show the fruit of Holy Spirit
A result of walking in Holy Spirit is the fruit of Holy Spirit.
Walking in the Spirit means not fulfilling the lusts of the flesh. The Spirit is against the flesh The flesh lusteth against the Spirit
The works of the flesh are:"..Adultery, fornication, uncleaness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings and, such like:.." Galatians 5:19-21
The works (fruits) of the Spirit are:"..Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance:.." Galatians 5:22-23
The fruit of Spirit with examples:Love -
Love your neighbor as yourself, Mt.19:19,22:39; Mk.12:31; Ro.13:9; etc.
Joy - Jesus had joy to go to the cross, Heb.12:2
Peace - Gospel of peace, Eph.6:15
Do the things that make for peace, Ro.14:19
Longsuffering - Jesus is longsuffering, not wanting any to go to hell, 2 Pe.3:9
Gentleness - The gentleness of Jesus, 2 Cor.10:1
Goodness - "..the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance Romans 2:4
Faith - "..The just shall live by faith.", Ro.1:17; Ga.3:11; Heb.10:38
Meekness - The meekness of Jesus, 2 Cor.10:1
Temperance - self-control, 1466
To walk in the Spirit, we must have crucified the flesh Galatians 5:24"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." Galatians 5:25 do "we live in the Spirit"?
What can keep someone from walking in the Spirit?
1. "Desirous of vain glory" Galatians 5:26
2. "Provoking one another" " "
3. "Envying one another" " "
How should one respond? Who is walking in the Spirit?"..in the spirit of meekness.." Galatians 6:1
"Bear ye one another's burdens.." Galatians 6:2
Think of yourself as Jesus does, Galatians 6:4
"..every man prove his own work....then…. rejoice in himself alone, Gal.6:4
"..not be weary in we'll doing.."(in due season we shall reap), Gal.6:9
"..do good unto all [men], especially..the household of faith." Gal.6:10
"For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." Gal.6:8
The WALK:"..walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called," Ephesians 4:1
"..walk not..in the vanity of (your) mind," Ephesians 4:17
"..walk as children of light:" Ephesians 5:8
"..walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise," Ephesians 5:15
If a Christian walks in the vanity of their mind and the blindness of their spirit:
- their understanding is darkened Ephesians 4:18
- they will be alienated from the life of God "
- they will be past feeling " 4:19
- they will give themselves over to lasciviousness " "
- they will do all uncleaness with greediness " "If a Christian walks in the Holy Spirit: Many of the following verses can be tied w/ Galatians 5 & 6
- They put off former conversation of the old man Ephesians 4:22
- They renew the spirit of their mind " 4:23
- They put on the new man " 4:24- They put away lying " 4:25
- They may be angry, but they sin not " 4:26
- They do not give place to Satan " 4:27- They do not steal " 4:28- They labor " 4:28
- They have substance to give to the needy " 4:28
- They do not speak corrupt communication " 4:29
- They communicate words of edification, ministering grace " 4:29
- They grieve not Holy Spirit " 4:30
- They let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, evil speaking & malice be put away " 4:
- They are kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another " 4:32
- They are followers of God, as dear children " 5:1
- They walk in love (speaking the truth in love) " 5:2 (4:15)
- They commit no fornication, uncleaness, or covetousness " 5:3
- They commit no filthiness, foolish talking, or jesting " 5:4
- They give thanks " 5:4
- They let no one deceive them with vain words " 5:6
- They walk as children of light " 5:8
- They have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but reprove them " 5:11
- They don't speak of things done of them in secret " 5:12
- They walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise " 5:15
- They redeem the time " 5:
- They are wise, understanding what the will of Jesus is " 5:17
- They are not drunk with wine " 5:18
- They are filled with Holy Spirit " 5:18
- They speak to themselves in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in their spirits to Jesus " 5:19
- They give thanks always for all things unto God " 5:20- They submit themselves one to another in the fear of God " 5:21
- Wives, submit to their own husbands " 5:22,24
- Husbands, love your wives " 5:25,28
- Children, obey your parents " 6:1-3
- Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath " 6:4
- Fathers, bring children up in the nurture and admonition of Jesus " 6:4
- Employees, be obedient to employers, w/ singleness of spirit " 6:5
- They do the will of God from the spirit " 6:6
- They will to do good service as unto Jesus " 6:7
- Employers, will to do good service as unto Jesus " 6:9
- They are strong in Jesus, and in the power of His might " 6:10
- They put on the armour of God, to stand against Satan " 6:11
- They stand against the wiles of Satan " 6:11
- They wrestle against rulers of darkness, & against spiritual wickedness in high places " 6:12
- They stand in the evil day " 6:13
- They stand w/ their loins girt about w/ truth " 6:14
- They have on the breastplate of righteousness " 6:14
- They have their feet shod w/ the preparation of the gospel of peace " 6:15
- They take the shield of faith to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked " 6:16
- They take the helmet of salvation & the sword of the Spirit " 6:17
- They pray always w/ prayer & supplication in Spirit " 6:18
- They watch w/ all perseverance & supplication for saints " 6:18
Practically how can you know if you are "Walking in the Spirit"?
** When you are walking in the Holy Spirit you will be acting like Jesus! 1 Peter 2:21
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (23) Meekness, temperance.." Galatians 5:22-23
"And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." Galatians 5:24
What keeps a person from fully "walking in the Spirit"?
The following is from one of my books.
There are prerequisites to being fully led of the Holy Spirit.
Such as:
“Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.” 1 John 3:6
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8
“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” 1 John 3:9
“We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.” 1 John 5:
“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:48
“Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:” Colossians 1:28
Jesus is coming for a holy church, one without spot or wrinkle.“That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5{18
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16
“But now being made free (1659) from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” Romans 6:22
“But now having been set free (1659) from sin, and having been enslaved to God, you have your fruit unto sanctification (38), and the end everlasting life.” Romans 6:22 JG* This is a Greek participle (1659) which is in the passive mood in the first aorist tense. Meaning the word must be translated as having taken place in the past, ‘now having been set free from sin’. JG is Jay Green's The Literal Translation of the Holy Bible. It is available for Esword.net.
“To the end he may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.” 1 Thessalonians 3:13
“Let us therefore, as many as be perfect (5046), be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.” Philippians 3:15
“Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness (or sanctification, 38) with sobriety.” 1 Timothy 2:15
“And the very God of peace sanctify (37) you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless (274) unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness (or sanctification, 38), without which no man shall see the Lord:” Hebrews 12:14
"Being then made free (1659) from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” Romans 6:18 “And having been set free (1659) from sin, you were enslaved to righteousness.” Romans 6:18 JG* This is a Greek participle (1659) which is in the passive mood in the first aorist tense. Meaning the word must be translated as having taken place in the past, ‘now having been set free from sin’. The New Covenant in the correct Greek text is inspired. The KJV is not inspired
But now being made free (1659) from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” Romans 6:22“But now having been set free (1659) from sin, and having been enslaved to God, you have your fruit unto sanctification (38), and the end everlasting life.” Romans 6:22 JG* This is a Greek participle (1659) which is in the passive mood in the first aorist tense. Meaning the word must be translated as having taken place in the past, ‘now having been set free from sin’. New Covenant in the proper Greek text is inspired. The KJV is not inspired.
So, how did the Apostolic Oneness church get into this sinful condition? Once upon a time there was a man at Azusa Street Mission. He taught 'entire sanctification'. His problem was he taught it as a ‘work of grace’ coming from Methodist theology. His understanding of the need for sanctification was right; his way of arriving at sanctification was wrong.
Along comes a Baptist from Chicago. At Azusa Street Mission, he receives the baptism of the Holy Spirit. He returns to Chicago where he continues as a Baptist pastor. The Baptist teach ‘progressive sanctification’. He doesn’t change his theology to ‘entire sanctification’ also called ‘sinless perfection’, etc. He travels among Pentecostals making his ‘progressive sanctification’ popular.
Along comes the Apostolic Oneness group which somehow acquires much Baptist/protestant doctrine. Thankfully, Jesus has given us a way to have ‘sinless perfection’! How does one acquire ‘sinless perfection’? The answer is given in Jesus’ Holy Bible.
My testimony of personally being led of the Holy Spirit:
In a church meeting or out, I can ask the Holy Spirit about anyone’s spiritual condition, and receive an answer from the Holy Spirit. Should I publicly tell the church the sins of an individual because the Holy Spirit has told me? No, of course not. Why would the Holy Spirit tell me or you the spiritual condition of another Christian? For ministry. We are to minister to each other. When the Holy Spirit tells me the sins, I know their needs. I know what ministry they need. Also, consequently, I know who not to minister to. I am told more - like their spiritual gift(s). How they should be ministering. Etc.Example, in a church meeting, a man asks for the laying on of hands for healing. Should I lay hands on everyone who asks? No. The Holy Bible says to not lay hands suddenly on anyone. If this man has been turned over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh (1 Corinthians 5:5), should I be laying hands on him for healing? NO! Just because many churches have healing lines where those who wish can line-up for healing, and everyone has hands laid on them does not make it right!!!!!
Since most ministers are not led of the Holy Spirit, they cannot spiritually know one Christian from another, so they lay hands on everyone who asks. Is it sin to lay hands on someone who has been turned over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh? Matthew 7:21-23
What about mass deliverances where lots of people needing demons cast out sit in a room with someone in front commanding demons to leave? Obvious to me, they are doing a lot more damage than good! One definitely shouldn’t cast demons out of a non-Christians by mass deliverance! Etc.
So given this Biblical criteria, how many Apostolics are Holy Spirit led? How many church meetings are Holy Spirit led? How many church meetings are boring?
Some of my websites:
http://www.freewebs.com/bibleteach/
http://www.freewebs.com/acseminary/
http://www.freewebs.com/marriagehelp/
In Jesus,
Brother Bruce
