I remember years ago when I was in the seminary, I went to talk with Gammon Theological Seminary’s Treasurer, Mrs. Bessie Miller. I parked my car in a “no parking zone” because I had not planned to talk long to Mrs. Miller, and I thought I could get in and out without getting into trouble. As I was getting out of the car, I heard something say, “Don’t park here.” However, I kept getting out of the car, and I said to myself, “I’m not going to be here long.” But again I heard, “Don’t park here.”
I kept getting out the car. I walked to the building where Mrs. Miller was, and I talked to her as I had planned to do. I think it was about two or three minutes into the conversation when Mrs. Miller turned around and said, “Derrick, is that your car parked outside?” I said, “Yes.” She replied, “A police officer is out there, and he’s writing you a ticket.”
John 16:13 says, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth…” (NRSV) The Holy Spirit guides us. He tells us what is right and what is wrong, even if we don’t want to hear it. And many times we don’t want to hear it. Why?
The other day, I saw a man wearing a T-shirt that explains why. It read: “I stopped fighting my demons; we’re on the same side.” Many of us don’t want to hear the Holy Spirit’s voice. We have our own agendas; we want to live our lives our way, even if it means going down the wrong road, taking unnecessary detours. But all of us could have a better handle on life if we would allow the Holy Spirit to guide us. That’s why he came—to show us the right way and a better way.
Steven Simala Grant tells this story: I remember Christmas, 1980, when I was 9. My mom, who was a secretary in a small 3-person company, got a Christmas bonus, a trip for her and my brother and me to Disneyland. The plane and hotel were all covered—and even some cash. Her boss was not a Christian, but wow did he have generous personality.
We got off the plane in Los Angeles, and immediately felt scared, overwhelmed, and more than a little lost. A single mom on her first trip outside Canada, second time on a plane, a 9 year old and a 12 year old. And there, right where we came through customs, was a man holding a sign that said, “Grants.”
My mom joked as she walked past him, “That’s my name, but I’m sure you aren’t looking for a mom and two kids.” “Wendy?” he asked. “Yup, I am looking for you. I’m here to guide you through the airport, help you find your motel, and make sure you have everything you need.”
Three Canadians feeling lost and overwhelmed in the middle of the LA airport, until the guide steps forward and says, follow me. I’ll lead you. He took us to find our luggage, then to the bus that would take us to Anaheim, and told us exactly where to get off. In the same way, the Holy Spirit is there to guide us into truth. He is here now to show us how to apply the truth. He is here now to help us to interpret the truth so that it will help us grow spiritually, help us grow closer to God, help us to become more like Jesus.
Can you understand this? The God of the universe, who spoke and nothing became something; who hung the stars in the sky; who holds all things together by the power of his Word, who fills all things; who is bigger than the universe and bigger than time, literally lives in you. He calls you his dwelling place. What a wonderful and marvelous creator you are! What high and wonderful honor we have been given, to house the Holy Spirit!
The Holy Spirit is here now—in you, in front of you, in back of you, on the side of you, around you—to guide you to your destiny, to help you to become the best that you can be.
What other things do you need to know about the Holy Spirit guiding you? You need to know that the Holy Spirit will not lead you contrary to the Word of God. In Luke 4:1-13, the Scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness where the devil tempted him for 40 days. During that temptation time, Jesus didn’t eat. He was famished and weary, and the devil knew it.
The Devil, playing on his hunger, gave the first test: "Since you're God's Son, command this stone to turn into a loaf of bread."
Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: "It takes more than bread to really live."
For the second test, he led him up and spread out all the kingdoms of the earth on display at once. Then the Devil said, "They're yours in all their splendor to serve your pleasure. I'm in charge of them all and can turn them over to whomever I wish. Worship me and they're yours, the whole works."
Jesus refused, again backing his refusal with Deuteronomy: "Worship the Lord your God and only the Lord your God. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness."
For the third test, the Devil took him to Jerusalem and put him on top of the Temple. He said, "If you are God's Son, jump. It's written, isn't it, that 'he has placed you in the care of angels to protect you; they will catch you; you won't so much as stub your toe on a stone'?" "Yes," said Jesus, "and it's also written, 'Don't you dare tempt the Lord your God.'" (The Message Translation)
The Holy Spirit will order your footsteps, but never contrary to Scripture. The Scripture says God is the same yesterday, today and forever more. The Holy Spirit will not say that the Bible says this but never mind that; that was then—this is now.
How do I know that? Well, I have already told you one way that I know: God is the same yesterday, today and forever more. But in addition to this, look at John 16:13 B. The second half of that sentence, after the semicolon, says for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
The Holy Spirit speaks; he communicates but never in opposition to Scripture. Because the Scripture is our primary theological source that helps us interpret what is theologically sound—what is God spoken and what is not. The Holy Spirit never speaks in opposition to the Word of God, the Bible. What a mess we would be in if the he spoke contrarily to Scripture.
But understand this too: The Holy Spirit will not lead you to do what is contrary to the Word of God, but it will lead you to do what is contrary to what people have taught or told you. People will say one thing, but God will say another. People will say go this way, but God will say, “Uh, Uh, go this way.” Although you make decisions that you think are right, God may say “That’s not a good idea. It would be better to do this.” The Lord says:
"I don't think the way you think. The way you work isn't the way I work." God's Decree: "For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think. (Isaiah 55:8, Message Translation)
Have you sought the Holy Spirit’s guidance? Have you asked him to lead you? Have you asked him to help you make decisions? Have you asked him to help you turn your life around? Have you asked him to give you peace? Have you asked him to help you find your place in life? He will—if you ask him.
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