Welcome back to week 18. Last week we considered the function of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life and counseling process. This week we will consider whether or not the Holy Spirit guides Christians. If He does, what methods does He use? It is important to know the answer to this question so that we do not fall into the ditch of superstition on one side or attributing to the Holy Spirit that for which He is not responsible.

The Holy Spirit does indeed guide Christians. However, the methods He uses to guide are quite misunderstood. Some of the ways the Holy Spirit does not guide Christians will be discussed first so that the ways in which He doesguide will be all the clearer.

The Holy Spirit does not guide believers today like He did in apostolic times. The specific gifts given to the Apostles are not available to believers today. The sign gifts that were given to the Apostles in the beginning days of the church were for the purpose of pointing to and authenticating them as revealers of truth. These gifts were needed because the church did not have a completed canon like we do. 

The sign gifts which the Holy Spirit used to guide the Apostles in the early church were never intended to be characteristic throughout the church age. In fact, the Holy Spirit ceased direct revelation when the last Apostle died (1 Cor. 12:4-11, 13:8-10; 2 Cor. 4:8b; 12:12; Eph. 4:7-12; Heb. 2:1-4). God simply does not reveal His will in the same way these days like He did long ago (Heb. 1:1-3). The Holy Spirit also does not guide through visions, or synergistically with psychology (Col. 2:8, 18). Without Scripture there is no way to know God’s will.

Furthermore, the Holy Spirit does not lead one through any other extrabiblical means as some have misunderstood Romans 8:14 and Galatians 5:8 to suggest.^[1] The Holy Spirit does not whisper in our ear and is not a “still small voice” leading us through our feelings to what He wants from us. Besides, one should not trust their feelings because our heart is naturally wicked and deceitful (Jer.17:9).   

However, the Holy Spirit does guide through God’s Word. Within God’s Word there are a multitude of principles, practices, and commands which the Holy Spirit can use to inform the mind if one takes the time to read and understand the Bible accurately. This is not by using the flip and point method as if throwing darts at a God’s will dart board. This is reading with the intent of studying to understand and obey. 

We need to be steeped in God’s Word. Read God’s Word daily so that when an issue appears, or decision is needed we can draw from the deep and vast knowledge of God’s Word. It’s God’s Word which has all of life’s answers. It’s God’s Word which teaches us how to live a life of righteousness. It’s God’s Word through which the Holy Spirit guides the Christian (2 Tim. 3:15-17; 2 Pt. 1:3). Avail yourself to the profound and eternal wisdom our gracious Lord has provided through His Word. 

We hope our short time considering pneumatology this week was helpful. Lord willing, next week we will begin considering ecclesiology. Our plan is to take four weeks investigating different aspects of ecclesiology: what is it, what role does it play in the believer’s life, what about women’s roles in ecclesiology, and what authority, if any, does it have in the life of a believer? Until then may our Lord bless you and keep you.

^[1] Paul is teaching about motivation by the indwelling Holy Spirit to walk in righteousness rather than by the flesh.