Our Guide, the Holy Spirit

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God

The Holy Spirit helps the Christ follower in many ways. In my thinking, His most practical ministry is how He helps us to know and follow God’s will—He is our Guide. It is one of the things Jesus predicted when He said, “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth” [John 16:13a].  

We see evidence that He is our Guide in both the Old and New Testaments. The prophet Ezekiel clearly indicated the Spirit’s availability to lead the people of God [36:27].  And before him, Isaiah wrote about God who, “…put His Holy Spirit within them, who led them by the right hand of Moses, with His glorious arm…” [Isaiah 63:11-12].

In the New Testament we find a great example in Acts 15 at the Council in Jerusalem. It is an illustration of how the Holy Spirit guided the early church. They had gathered to determine what principles of conduct the Jewish leadership should put on the Gentiles who were coming to faith in Christ. After prayer, and prayerful debate, they unanimously determined that it was unnecessary for the Gentiles to adhere to most of the ceremonial practices of the Law of Moses. 

They wrote the details of their recommendation in a letter, which included these words, “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you [Gentiles] no greater burden than these essentials…” [Acts 15:28]. Their decision was made with confidence because it was in agreement with the Holy Spirit as they poured over the Scriptures. Because of that, they knew it was the right thing to do, and in accord with God’s will. 

Dear Christ follower, please be encouraged that you are likewise being led by the Holy Spirit. Paul said it this way, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” [Romans 8:14]. When we are responsive to the Holy Spirit, and faithful to pour over Scripture, He will guide us in God’s perfect will for our lives!

And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my judgments and do them. Ezekiel 36:27