Teacher

"The Spirit never misspeaks."

IT IS NOT that the Holy Spirit is being quiet to annoy us. Most often, He has nothing to say right then. Other times, He is teaching us. It is a learning moment. We lean toward being annoyed and fail to realize the renewing of our mind means a change of thought processes. We are not going to think in the same way we used to but will see things from His point-of-view from now on. This is a radical life change. Though we have thought otherwise, the Spirit will and does speak in sentences, even paragraphs. But if paragraphs are not needed then He won’t. I myself conserve words. Less is more, in my book. I like to be sure what I’m saying is what I meant to say and not what is forced from me. If I can say it in three words instead of five, that’s a plus. The Spirit never misspeaks, but usually, we don’t hear Him – either at all or not correctly. Often, we assume His meaning, figuring it out from our personal knowledge. Again, He is asking us to LISTEN.

I admit to frustration at times in this. I hear Him, but what He’s saying requires that new understanding; and my head tends to shut off under pressure. Knowing how to distract myself from the pressure is key to keeping the right mood, so to speak. Nobody listens well when they are angry. The Spirit never gives up. He never shifts position from what He is trying to have us see. He will bring us back to that place again until revelation comes. Or He will silence because we refuse. I’ve done this, too.

We see examples in the Word. Jesus is our positive example, and His hearing of the Spirit at all times is our goal. We desire to be like Him, as discerning, as perceptive, with His knowledge and understanding. But there are other examples we can study of those who did not hear and so they suffered, giving up what God would have done for them and through them. Pharaoh in Exodus is an example. He refused to hear, preferring the witchcraft of the magicians and the arrogance of power. It says God “hardened his heart.” This has been often misunderstood. It is not that God kept him from doing right, but that God knew he would never do right. Judas is another example. He knew the power of the Spirit of God, having been sent out with the disciples to speak the good news and to cast out unclean spirits. He’d seen the miracles Jesus performed and heard the words of prophecy Jesus spoke over His coming death and Resurrection, yet he allowed Satan to enter him at the Passover meal (John 13:27). Jesus pled for him to the Father saying, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me (Luke 22:42),” then committed Himself to it. This had been prophesied.

Prophecy does not guarantee an outcome, but it gives one. However, 1 Corinthians 14:3 tells us it is spoken in order to bring edification, exhortation, and comfort. It is supposed to encourage the hearers and not give fear. God does not give us fear. The Spirit is not the spirit of fear, but He is love, and Resurrection power, and us having a sound mind and peace (2 Timothy 1:7). The Word of God itself speaks to us inspiration, as well as correct knowledge, and discipline that shows us God’s ways (2 Timothy 3:16). We are turned from the ways of our mind and our emotions and physical bodies, our selfish desires, toward the desires of God that He placed in us upon salvation. We became new creatures, brand new spirits, through the love of God. The Spirit of God is why. He remade us in God’s image, to have the character of God and see and hear God’s life again. But we live on a planet filled with sin and the defects of sin, so our human view is limited and marred by what is around us.

God calls us higher, and that new height requires all of what He’s placed in us. Patience and longsuffering, His love for others, and knowledge and revelation of His ways of thought. We have to willing set down our own in order to change and also admit we don’t know all the pieces like He does. Our self-effort is in vain. Only He can teach us.

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (John 14:26)


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Suzanne D. Williams, Author
www.suzannedwilliams.com
www.feelgoodromance.com