Last week during our Tuesday study we were working through Joel. Some of the men were struggling with the book; struggling in the sense that they were having a hard time applying the book to their current situation.
One of the men, quoting 2 Timothy 3:14 – 17 reminded us that all scripture is intended to teach us, in the context of 2 Timothy, scripture refers to the Old Testament. Romans 15:4 tells us the same thing. No one in the study disagreed with those passages.
However, one of the men said that he could not demand that the Holy Spirit lead him to an application in every Bible study. He is right.
John 16:13 tells us that one role the Spirit fills is to lead us into truth. Lead. That assumes we are following. Earlier in John 15:7 one of the 11 times Christ uses the word “abide” in John 15:1 – 16, we are exhorted to abide in His Word. Our job is to abide. The Holy Spirit leads. We do not dictate where He leads. Our job is to be present in the Word, to ask for that leading (Psalm 119:18), and to respond correctly to what the Spirit shows us.
Our place is to ask not demand. I know of believers who seem to have that wrong. The Spirit is Lord. We no more demand of Him than we do of Christ.
However, one of the men said that he could not demand that the Holy Spirit lead him to an application in every Bible study. He is right.
John 16:13 tells us that one role the Spirit fills is to lead us into truth. Lead. That assumes we are following. Earlier in John 15:7 one of the 11 times Christ uses the word “abide” in John 15:1 – 16, we are exhorted to abide in His Word. Our job is to abide. The Holy Spirit leads. We do not dictate where He leads. Our job is to be present in the Word, to ask for that leading (Psalm 119:18), and to respond correctly to what the Spirit shows us.
Our place is to ask not demand. I know of believers who seem to have that wrong. The Spirit is Lord. We no more demand of Him than we do of Christ.
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