This reminds me of the gatherings of Christians I have experienced in recent years, perhaps all my life. In social gatherings, I never hear them speak of Christ or the Holy Spirit. They speak about politics, their latest adventures in life, and their family, but never about Christ or the Holy Spirit.
In fact, they look at me strangely as if irritated when I say something like, "The Holy Spirit led me to do it" or "the Holy Spirit prevented me from doing it." It is as though they consider it arrogance to say we have heard from the Holy Spirit.
Acts 16:5-7 "5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers. 6 After the Holy Spirit had prevented them from speaking the word in the province of Asia, they traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia. 7 And when they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them.…"
When we walk with Christ daily, we hear clearly the promptings of the Holy Spirit, and we know it is Him. If we are unsure because of the noise of the culture around us, we pray until Christ quiets the noise and makes it even more clear that He is speaking.
If something is not the will of the Holy Spirit, He will prevent it from happening, and it will become clear eventually why He didn't want it to happen.
Acts 13:2-4
"While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” / And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off. / So Barnabas and Saul, sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus."
Acts 20:22-23
"And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. / I only know that in town after town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions await me."
Have you ever felt deeply compelled to do something, so intensely that the sense remained until you did what God told you to do? Then, after obeying, the feeling of urgency left, and peace was restored.
Peace comes when we have obeyed; however, when we do not obey immediately, the sense of urgency persists until we do what the Holy Spirit has called us to do. When we obey the urgency leaves and contentment returns.
There have been times when others did not understand that the Holy Spirit was guiding me, even coming against me for doing what God told me to do, but the urgency to obey God didn't leave, no matter how much pressure from the culture around me.
The culture we live in will not understand us, nor do they care to understand. Cultures are hard-wired to follow the flow of the crowd, without questioning where the crowd is going. They seem content to follow the multitude of people, the mob, because it seems safer to them to have others to lean on who prop them up, whether or not the herd is going in the right direction.
Very few people can stand alone boldly with powerful resolve to obey God without validation from the crowd. Only those who are in Christ, who seek His leading, will be able to stand alone.
Matthew 10:32-33:
"Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my Father in heaven".
1 Peter 3:14-15:
"But even if you suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not be afraid of those who threaten you. But in your hearts, give honor to the Lord as your God". This verse encourages Christians to remain steadfast in their faith, even when facing persecution, and to honor Christ as Lord, regardless of the circumstances."
2 Timothy 1:7:
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and self-discipline."
Even when we are misunderstood, lied against, and devalued by the crowd, we can still remain strong, fully devoted to Christ Who lives in us!!! Hallelujah!!!
