Have you ever felt lost in the fog of life, desperately seeking direction? We’ve all been there, praying for an otherworldly GPS to guide us through the maze of decisions and challenges. Did you know that God has already provided us with the ultimate navigator? Let’s dive into the incredible role of the Holy Spirit as our guide and discloser.

The Holy Spirit: God’s Conduit for Communication

Jesus promised His disciples that He wouldn’t leave them as orphans. In John 16:12-15, He introduces us to a key attribute of the Holy Spirit:

“I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak on his own, but he will speak whatever he hears. He will also declare to you what is to come (CSB).”

The Holy Spirit is God’s conduit for communication. He’s not some “outlier cousin” we reluctantly invite to the family reunion. He’s an integral part of the Trinity, equal in divinity but distinct in function.

Guided by Truth, Not Maps

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. When we pray for guidance, we’re often asking for a detailed map to avoid making mistakes. But that’s not how God typically operates. As Francis Chan points out in his book “Forgotten God,” God rarely provides a roadmap. Instead, He gives us callings.

Think about it:
– God told Abraham to start walking, promising to fill in the details later.
– Noah was instructed to build a boat before he’d ever seen rain.
– The disciples were called to follow Jesus without a job description or salary negotiation.

If you want God to guide you, you must be far more obsessed with His glory than your gain. Hearing from God is conditional on our obsession with obedience instead of outcomes.

The Destination: Truth and Kingdom Growth

So, where does the Holy Spirit guide us? Jesus says, ” When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak on his own, but he will speak whatever he hears (CSB).” (John 16:13). The Holy Spirit will never violate God’s word or character. His guidance always aligns with truth and is aimed at growing God’s kingdom.

This kingdom growth isn’t just about winning people to Christ (though that’s part of it). It’s about scaling the kingdom in every space we occupy – our jobs, families, neighborhoods, and even our social media platforms. We are called to live as Christ’s disciples and that shouldn’t be contained to just one facet of our lives; it should be evident in every single portion.

Who Receives the Holy Spirit?

It’s crucial to understand that the Holy Spirit isn’t automatic for everyone. Jesus says in John 14:17, “He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him, because he remains with you and will be in you” (CSB).

The Holy Spirit is reserved for the repentant. We’re all God’s creation, but we become His children through repentance and faith in Christ. Only then do we receive the incredible gift of the Holy Spirit.

Putting It Into Practice

  1. Embrace the fog.
    1. Don’t be afraid of uncertain times. These are often the moments when the Holy Spirit’s guidance shines brightest.
  2. Prioritize obedience over outcomes.
    1. Focus on being faithful to God’s truth rather than trying to control results.
  3. Scale the kingdom.
    1. Look for opportunities to represent Christ in every area of your life – at work, at home, and in your community.
  4. Speak the truth in love.
    1.  As bearers of the Holy Spirit, we’re called to minister truth in a world that often doesn’t value it. Remember, how people receive that truth isn’t on you.
  5. Stay connected.
    1. Cultivate your relationship with the Holy Spirit through prayer, Bible study, and obedience.

Remember, friends, “We are agents of the truth. What people do with that truth, you’re not accountable for.” Our job is to follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance and disclose His truth to a world in desperate need of it. So let’s walk confidently, knowing we have the ultimate Guide living within us!

This blog post was adapted by Molly Atkins from ClearView Baptist Church’s sermon by Senior Pastor Jason Cruise on October 20, 2024. To watch the full sermon, click HERE.