p. 8 | Led by the Spirit by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 11, 1912

Led by the Spirit

By F. M. W.

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” How may we enter into that relationship with God, as individuals and as a church, where his Spirit will lead us? The following suggestions may aid us in our seeking:—

1. An abiding consciousness of forgiveness of sin and divine acceptance. How many Christians there are living without this experience! How many come to God daily in prayer to have unconfessed sin rise up before them like a great mountain, closing the avenue of faith and hope! Old grudges are harbored, evil habits of thought and act are indulged, and in consequence the heart is robbed of the consciousness of divine acceptance, and the life is robbed of power.

2. A recognition of the guidance and leading of the Holy Spirit in individual experience. By individual experience we do not refer alone to the great and important happenings of life, but to all that contributes to the full life measure; to the little things as well as the great things. Failing to bring God into the little things of life is where many come short. When some crisis confronts them, when they are called upon to perform some great duty or bear some great sorrow, then God’s help is sought. But in the little duties of life, in daily practical experience, God is left out.

O, we need to cultivate a closer acquaintance with God in these small matters! We need to cultivate a living personal consciousness of the divine presence by our side and with us hour by hour and moment by moment. Elijah had this. Repeatedly he speaks of the Lord God “before whom I stand.” We likewise need to live as if we stood in the actual personal presence of the great I AM.

3. A recognition of the divine guidance of the Holy Spirit in Christian service and labor. We read of the children of God in the past that God spoke to them. The Spirit spoke to Peter. Acts 11:12. Paul was moved by the Spirit. Acts 18:5. It is said of the apostles on the day of Pentecost that they spoke “as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2:4. The Spirit told Philip to go near and join himself unto the eunuch, Acts 8:29. We need in our service to recognize this divine leading. The effectiveness of our labor for others depends upon this divine guidance. We may speak the word fluently; we may read the Scriptures with clearness and emphasis; we may be forcible in argument and logical in conclusion; but after all we must recognize that it is “not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord.” The weak, faltering, stammering word spoken by a sincere Christian can be taken by the Spirit and made mighty and effective in the salvation of souls, whereas unrivaled eloquence, unaccompanied by the Spirit, will fall to the ground fruitless.

4. Recognition of the Holy Spirit’s leadings in the formation of plans and the transaction of business. How many plans have been made without prayer! How many board and committee meetings have been held without humble intercession for divine guidance! How many resolutions formulated and discussed as the fruit of human devisings! Consequently, the plans have proved fruitless, and discouragement and defeat come to Israel’s hosts. In all our board meetings and committee meetings and church and conference business meetings, let us seek for the Spirit’s direction. Half an hour spent in earnest intercession and another half-hour devoted to the transaction of business will accomplish far more than a full hour of devising without Heaven’s guidance.

5. Dependence upon the power of the Holy Spirit in making plans and organizations effective. Even Heaven-inspired plans and organizations are not effective of themselves to accomplish the work of God. Sometimes when the Spirit has directed in formulating ways and means, we have taken glory to ourselves. We have stood back and admired the beautiful mechanism, and felt in our hearts, if we have not expressed it in words, “We by our genius and wisdom have evolved this beautiful system. Behold what we have worked out and built up.” Thus have we made the very plans that the Spirit’s leading enabled us to formulate, the object of worship and of self-gratulation. To the best-laid plans must be applied the energizing power of the Holy Spirit. They will be effective and mighty in their operation only as the human instrument through whom God is endeavoring to operate them in the world, stands as Heaven’s oracle, and acts and speaks with the divine unction.

6. The recognition of the fruits of the Spirit. The Jews would not believe unless

they saw signs and wonders. There are hundreds in the world to-day who associate the workings of the Spirit only with marvelous manifestations. While this has sometimes resulted from the outpouring of the Spirit, as on the day of Pentecost, and may result again, it is not his usual manner of manifestation. In Elijah’s experience the Spirit did not speak in the whirlwind or in the earthquake, but in a still, small voice. Spirit-filled men and women do not usually go around conscious of the possession of some great power, nor exercising such power in marvelous ways and wondrous workings. Simon Magus desired such power, but was rebuked for his unholy ambition.

The Spirit’s filling led Peter on the day of Pentecost to deliver a plain, simple gospel discourse to the men and women assembled before him. This humble word on the part of the apostle was made mighty and effective by the Spirit in working upon hearts, so that three thousand men and women were converted. The filling of the Spirit led Paul and Silas humbly to submit to the indignities of imprisonment, and later to rejoice, with singing and thanksgiving, that they were accounted worthy to suffer for Christ. A Spirit-filled life in the case of the apostle Paul led him to endure the great persecutions and tribulations recorded in the eleventh chapter of Second Corinthians. The Spirit’s filling to-day will bring the same practical results.

We fear that even some Seventh-day Adventists will have their minds fixed upon marvels and miracles to the extent that they will fail to recognize the mighty outpouring of the Spirit of God in this closing work, and will be looking to the future for the falling of the latter rain when already copious showers are falling on every side. O, let us pray to be delivered from self-deception! Let us come so near to God with humble consecration in our daily living that we shall be able to recognize his leading and the speaking of the Holy Spirit to our hearts.

Already the Spirit of God is beginning to descend upon his people. From every quarter there is going up a cry from hundreds of hearts for more of his power. This hungering and thirsting is of God’s creation. He will not turn a deaf ear to his children’s cry. He will send the bread from heaven, the waters from the living fountain.

Every soul may have a part in the refreshing, provided only that he is willing to pay the price. This price is the full surrender of the life to God, the placing of all upon his altar, the consecration of every power and talent of mind and body to his service, a dedication which will make one willing to go anywhere for God, do any work he indicates shall be done, become anything, or if he wills, nothing at all, in his service. This Spirit with the believers will banish from every church discord and strife; from every home coldness and indifference; from every heart envy, jealousy, and criticism, while love, joy, and peace, the blessed fruits of the Spirit, will dwell in every life. The Spirit’s leadings in the life will cost all, but it will give far more than is surrendered. Are you ready now to make the exchange?

F. M. W.