Many years ago, one Summer afternoon, I picked up a copy of Time magazine and read an article about a town in Wyoming that was growing, booming. A sleepy cow town had sprouted overnight to become home to thousands of young workers in the coal mines of that region. As I read the article, I felt an inner compelling - "Jerry, take your wife and baby son to Gillette!" It didn't go away and days later I approached my wife with the idea of tearing ourselves away from family, friends, and job to go to do ministry in that town. Late August, 1977, found us transversing these United States in an old school bus that was packed with our possessions. We had no job waiting, very little money to sustain, and a big dream pulling westward! Our trip was an exercise in hilarity, something I'll write about some other time. The year that followed our decision to to to Wyoming was full of experiences we have never forgotten, lessons that shaped us, and people who influenced us to this very day. What many labeled a fool's errand was God's way of helping us to become more useful in His kingdom. I believe we were led there by the Spirit, but not for the purpose which I thought - establishing a ministry in Gillette, WY- but rather so He could mature us, preparing us for His work!
Part of the lexicon with which I am very familiar includes the line, "I feel led..." People use it to explain their choice to seek out a new church, to justify their purchase of a new car, to explain all kinds of important life choices. Most Believers who claim to 'feel led' by the Lord are quite sincere in their intent and motive. There are plenty of examples in the book of Acts to demonstrate that the Spirit-filled Christian can and should be led by the Spirit. Indeed, Paul says that "those who are led by the Spirit are children of God." (Gal. 6.14) I am not taking issue with that concept. What I am speaking to today is the erroneous idea that being led by the Spirit is just a feeling, a hunch, an intuition!
Rick Nanez writes - "Waves of romanticism, relativism, individualism, and New Age teachings have unleashed a rising emphasis on feelings over thinking, emotions over doctrine, and experience over intellect. Wherever these find an inroad, it comes at the expense of casting away our rational rudders. In turn, this steers many Believers into the currents of waywardness - into the vast sea of subjectivity, where the drizzling clouds of mysticism dictate their spiritual journey. ... the turbulent winds of half-truth blow these helpless castaways into the vicious crags of confusion and mindless spirituality." - Full Gospel, Fractured Minds? Zondervan, 2005
Mature, stable, and effective Believers understand that they are whole people given both mind and heart and that God's Spirit operates through both equally to bring about His purposes and will. The Bible invites us to “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. Isaiah 1:18 (NIV) The word, 'reason' is a word meaning, "argue your case, talk it over, work it out!" God does not expect His Spirit-led people to live with a blind faith. Paul encourages us to "present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." Romans 12:1 (NKJV) Note the word, "reasonable." In the original language of the Bible it is the word, logikos, from which we get our word, logical. As we serve God, we do so with reason intact.
Are you objecting, wondering -"Jerry, what of faith? Are we to be locked into rationalism, living only by what can be proven or tested by natural means?" No, friend, a hundred times no. Pure rationalism eliminates the possibility of revelation. We, as individual Believers and as the Church of Jesus Christ must be led by the Spirit, open to truth that is revealed by Him to us, in ways outside of the usual channels of discovery and learning. I fully recognize that claiming to hear from God, to know His voice, is regarded by many as loony, or as some sort of self-deception based in our psychological need to have a god. But, I am convinced - both by my experience and the testimony of the Scripture- that God speaks to His people, individually and collectively. There will be moments when His leading defies our natural reasoning powers, when what we believe God is asking of us flies in the face of the facts that surround us.
We do not offend God in those moments when we take time to evaluate what we believe He is saying to us. Asking God to give us discerning minds, to keep us from impulse or gullibility is not the same as refusing to follow His lead. It is a humble recognition that we are imperfect, that we can get it wrong. John tells us - "do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world." 1 John 4:1 (NLT) The passage goes on to say that the primary test to determine who is a genuine 'prophet' - that is one who is claiming to hear from God and speak for God- is the way he conducts himself day to day. His life must be marked by overt evidence of submission to Jesus Christ as Lord. There is no one so dangerous to your spiritual health as the person who is a rebellious rogue, who submits to no authority but himself, who claims - "God speaks to me and I speak for Him."
Let's be people of the Spirit, led by Him into works of faith, using the wonderful powers of reason that He has given to us. By this God will be glorified and His kingdom built strong.
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Lavish love, abundant beauty,
gracious gifts for heart and hand,
Life that fills the soul and senses -
all burst forth at Your command.
Lord, our Lord, eternal Father,
Great Creator, God and Friend,
Boundless power gave full expression,
to Your love which knows no end.
I am Yours, eternal Father,
All my body, mind, and heart.
Take and use me to Your glory,
Form Yourself in every part.
Lord, Your love brings joy and gladness,
flowing from within my soul.
May my very breath and being,
rise to You, their source and goal.
Amen.
- Peter Ellis
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