Posted: 06/05/07

The Sovereignty of the Spirit of Christ

An answer of hope on hearing God

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 

(John 10:27)

In the article "Do inner promptings reveal God's will?", Steve Cornell, the Senior Pastor of Millersville Bible Church, of Millersville Pennsylvania, suggests anyone who believes the Spirit of God Himself can speak to those who are His, are "lunatics", "undiscerning" or just plain "irrational." Just because Steve didn't actually say those things, in his quoting those who did, he is saying he agrees with them.

In quoting Romans 8:14 Steve is missing the passage within the same chapter, just two sentences later, in verse 16, where Paul says, "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God." How is it that the Spirit "testifies with our spirit" if there are no "inner promptings" other than "lunacy", the replies of a "desperately wicked heart" or an "un-discerning" mind?

You can come to the same conclusions as these men by reading the scripture with their same presupposition.  If you determine in your heart that God cannot lead you, speak to you or guide you in any way, but in the box you have put him into, then that is the way you will read the Bible.  But that boxed "god" is not God at all.  We must trust in who God actually is.

A wise friend says this is a waste of time, if I'm trying to convince those who insist on a carnal understanding, because spiritual matters are discerned by those who live by the Spirit.  But he did say there are those who have not yet decided, those who will still hear the truth. And so it is to those that I write.

Yet I do hear a desire to honor God from those who have written such things against the sovereignty of the Spirit of God.  And in all I do I strive to bring Yahweh Glory, so let's not focus on what I believe is wrong with Steve's viewpoint anymore and instead look to scripture:

1. Philippians 4:7
      ...and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
      

2. Colossians 3:15
     "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful."

Other Messianic versions of Colossians 3:15 read, "…and let the shalom which comes from the Messiah be your heart's decision-maker, for this is why you were called to be part of a single Body."

As one who experiences the leading of the Spirit of God I can tell you that when you trust Jesus He can lead you by His Spirit through the Peace, or Shalom, He gives you. If you do not test what you have heard, thus learning the voice of God, then you would be lacking in your discernment.  And God requires that we do so test such leadings and for good reason.

1John 4:1

 "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." 

You can indeed be fooled when you are "young" in the Lord, as C. S. Lewis put it in books like "Mere Christianity."  This is why, agreeing with Steve on this point, we must have Godly counsel and read the scriptures ourselves.  But these counselors must not be those who claim they alone hold the guidance of God.  As you test what you have heard against scripture, being guided with Godly counsel, you will learn what is and is not God's voice. Many people have been led astray by snake-tongued men, their own foolish hearts and devils.  Don't be like them.  But don't "throw the baby out with the bath water", so to speak.  Just because some are lead astray doesn't mean we should discount God's leadings. No, as it is said, we must learn our Master's voice.

It is a ploy of a prideful heart to attack the sovereignty of God refusing the direction of God's own Spirit.  Jesus said He would send His Spirit to lead us into all truth and so He has.  In the heart of every Believer the Spirit of God Himself dwells.  To suppose God would not personally guide you is a refusal to surrender to the Sovereignty of Christ.

(Continued in Part 2)

By Patrick Burwell Click here for bio and archived articles