LAWTON CHURCH OF GOD, LAWTON, OKLAHOMA

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31 DIVINE GUIDANCE

A truly consecrated soul will have no struggle about doing what it senses and knows clearly to be the will of God. If truly consecrated it was settled once for all that knowing the will of God, there must be unhesitating obedience. However, consecrated souls may at times have some difficulty in discerning clearly and knowing positively what is the will of God concerning some given matter. It is the purpose of the writer to suggest a few general principles so the soul may be able to “try the spirits whether they are of God,” when there are conflicting voices.

First. Any leading or impression that may come should have a rigid comparison with the Word of God. The Spirit of God never leads any one contrary to the written Word of God. The Spirit and the Word agree. When there is the least divergence from the spirit of the Word, or conflict with any passage of the letter of the Word of God, the leading or impression is from the devil.

Second. False spirits always plead personal and temporal interests, such as gain, or pleasure, or ease, or popularity. Whereas the Spirit of God always pleads the glory of God, the salvation of souls and the rewards eternal. Asking the question as to where or how we may win the most souls, or best promote the glory of God will bring the answer to many perplexing problems.

Third. A false spirit will invariably drive, so that there is little or no time for meditation, deliberation and prayer, and the soul becomes confused, and chafed, and bewildered, and distressed, whereas Jesus invariably leads and inclines, and woos, and draws the soul, by working in us, “both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” Satan drives. “He brake the bands and was driven of the devil.” Jesus leads. “When He putteth forth his own sheep He goeth before them, and the sheep follow Him.” Jesus leads, and there is always time for deliberation and prayer.

Fourth. The use of Godly common sense. The truly and really led by the Spirit can not be charged with foolishness, as He never leads anyone to do anything foolish, or contrary to good, sound, sanctified common sense. The gray matter in one’s skull is there to be used. True, God may call a man to do that which is above or beyond human comprehension, so that the human mind may not understand the why and the wherefore, and men whose minds are darkened by sin may pronounce the act of Godly obedience as foolish, nevertheless the vindication for the act will finally come if in keeping with good sanctified common sense. We are supposed to use all the sense God has given us, and may rest assured that He will never lead us to foolishness.

Fifth. Providential happenings should always be taken into account. The leadings of God and the providences of God will invariably harmonize. If the Spirit of God leads a man to a certain work, along a given line, the hand of God by His providences, will open the door and open the way for the accomplishment of the same. God never leads a man to do the impossible. He will provide the means, and the way for the accomplishment of His own will and purpose. So there need be no kicking down of closed doors, upon our part, but simply the entering of the open door.

Sixth. Entire consecration must always be the attitude of the soul that would make no mistake, but discern plainly the will of God. When there is no pre-arranged plan or program, and no personal preference or choice but the will of God, the vision is undimmed and the voice of the Good Shepherd unmistakable.