In these lessons, we are talking about the importance of the Holy Spirit working in our lives. In our last lesson, we discussed how the Holy Spirit helps us successfully resist and overcome the spiritual attacks of Satan.

In this lesson, we want to focus on how the Holy Spirit supernaturally guides us and helps us make wise decisions in life.

One of the most remarkable ministries of the Holy Spirit is that of a guide. Jesus said in John 16:13 – Howbeit, when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

What a beautiful scripture. Here we have a vivid picture of one of the most supernatural aspects of the Holy Spirit's ministry. He has come to guide us and to show us things to come. One translation of the Bible says,"…he will speak only what he hears and will tell you what will happen in the future.” (ERV)

Think about that. There is no reason for any of us to make wrong decisions. There is no reason for any of us to be surprised by unforeseen events that may have a dramatic and personal impact on our lives, especially if we are doing the will of our heavenly Father and seeking direction concerning how we can become more effective in expanding the Kingdom of God.

I remember an experience I had that illustrates how the Holy Spirit desires to show us things to come. At this time, I was living and ministering in the United States. It was two years before the financial collapse that happened in the United States in 2008.

I usually spend some time praying every day. But during this time, I was spending additional time praying concerning the will of God. I was about to make a transition that would require me to leave a very comfortable salaried position to a form of ministry that had no guaranteed income.

While I was praying, on the inside of me, I sensed that something was going to happen in the immediate future that could potentially affect my finances. I had a strong desire to sell one of my vehicles and to downsize my living arrangements.

I disregarded that initial witness for some time. But finally, I decided I better obey what I was sensing on the inside. I sold one of my vehicles. I sold my house and bought a smaller, less expensive home that still accommodated all of my needs.

Approximately one year later, America experienced the 2008 financial collapse. Fortunately, I was not negatively affected because I was sensitive to the guide living on the inside of me. I wish I could tell you that I have always listened to the guide on the inside of me. Unfortunately, there have been many times that I did not listen, and as a result, I experienced some unnecessary hardships.

Let me read to you John 16:13 – Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Let’s read Romans 8:14-16 –

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

For ye have not received the Spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God: 

If you are a child of God, you can expect to be led by the Holy Spirit. How does He lead us? Notice again that verse (16) – The Spirit beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. 

The Holy Spirit bears witness with your Spirit. Notice that. The Holy Spirit does not bear witness with your body – emotions – mind – intellect.

Notice, he bears witness with your Spirit. There are two primary ways that the Holy Spirit does that. The first way the Holy Spirit guides us or bears witness with us is through the written word of God.

2 Timothy 3:16 - All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

I love the statement Howard Hendricks made: The will of God is found in the Word of God. The more a person grows, the more he begins to think instinctively and habitually from a divine perspective.

I like to say it this way, "the Bible is God speaking to me." 99% of what we need to know in life can be found in the Bible. The Holy Spirit has been sent to take the words of Jesus and make them real to you. The Holy Spirit will always guide you to make decisions that never violate the Word of God or the will of God.

The second way the Holy Spirit will guide you is through what the Bible calls the inward witness.

Romans 8:16 – The Spirit itself (himself) bearth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God – One translation says – "The Spirit himself endorses our inward conviction...."(Philips)

When we say we have a witness to something, we mean that deep down in our hearts, there is an inward agreement to it.

Sometimes it is an inward approval; sometimes, it may be an inward disapproval.

Acts 16:6&7 - Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.

How does the HS tell us not to do something? A good rule to follow is an initial urge from within, should not be acted upon too quickly.

Generally speaking, a genuine inner witness from God will persist, whereas emotion or feeling will soon pass away.

The inner witness can act as a source of confirmation after a decision has been made or about to be made.

Colossians 3:15 - And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Weymouth translation says, "Let the peace that Christ gives settle all questionings in your hearts."

The word Rule that is used in this verse means to arbitrate, to umpire, to decide - An arbitrator is a person chosen to settle the issue between parties engaged in a dispute.

The Literal translation of this verse means "Let the peace of God arbitrate, preside, or settle all questions in your hearts."

This is not a manufactured peace or a false peace. It is the Peace of God - the Peace that passeth all understanding.

Philippians 4:7 (God’s Word translation) – Then God's Peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus.

Another translation (Weymouth New Testament) – And then the Peace of God, which transcends all our powers of thought, will be a garrison to guard your hearts and minds in union with Christ Jesus.

We are talking about a peace that cannot be shaken or changed regardless of circumstances, irrespective of your emotions, regardless of the thoughts coming into your mind from without.

Thank God we are not left to make every decision with our wisdom or with our knowledge. The Holy Spirit has come to indwell us and to act as our guide in life.

He is a supernatural guide. There seems to be an amplification of his methods of guidance when we are baptised or filled with the Holy Spirit. We can enter into a supernatural dimension of the Holy Spirit, where He can speak to us and guide us in a way that is not limited to our own reasoning or our own understanding.

When reading through the book of Acts, we have countless examples of how the Holy Spirit supernaturally led Christians. We read statements like "The Spirit bade me go," the Spirit said go, it seemed good to us and the Holy Spirit, The Holy Spirit said……

And all of this happened without any hysteria on the part of the early church or the early Christians. The supernatural method of guidance by the Holy Spirit should be a normal part of the Christian experience.

My prayer is that you will invite the Holy Spirit to become your guide in life. Develop a sensitivity to His leadership and His counsel. Let Him guides you by God’s written word. Let Him guides you by the inner witness, by the peace that passes all understanding.