"He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth." John 14:17
I think most of us wish the Holy Spirit led us into all comfort. We might even settle for partial truth. But all truth? Most of us would rather surround ourselves with people who will simply validate what we falsely believe about ourselves. That isn't the Holy Spirit. Like a good counselor, He'll take you places you don't want to go so you can get where He wants you to go. He'll reveal things you don't want to know so you can become who He wants you to be.
I think many of us get frustrated at times because it seems like God is silent. Here's a thought: if you cannot hear the voice of God maybe it's because you aren't willing to hear everything He has to say?
You can't tune out His convicting voice and still hear His guiding voice or wise voice or comforting voice. You cannot listen to half of what the Holy Spirit has to say. It's a package deal. If you tune out His convicting voice you won't hear anything He has to say.
I think most of us wish the Holy Spirit led us into all comfort. We might even settle for partial truth. But all truth? Most of us would rather surround ourselves with people who will simply validate what we falsely believe about ourselves. That isn't the Holy Spirit. Like a good counselor, He'll take you places you don't want to go so you can get where He wants you to go. He'll reveal things you don't want to know so you can become who He wants you to be.
I think many of us get frustrated at times because it seems like God is silent. Here's a thought: if you cannot hear the voice of God maybe it's because you aren't willing to hear everything He has to say?
You can't tune out His convicting voice and still hear His guiding voice or wise voice or comforting voice. You cannot listen to half of what the Holy Spirit has to say. It's a package deal. If you tune out His convicting voice you won't hear anything He has to say.
8 Comments:
Mark:
Greetings. I was just revisiting several pages in Wild Goose Chase while preparing the message for today. I came across a comment that simply stated; "Wind will be wind" You mentioned sometimes the (wind) "Holy Spirit"is a light wind, others it comes against us with gale force, other times it frustrates our plans. Whatever the case when we allow the Spirit of God to direct us we will be willing to hear the whole truth and nothing but the truth that He brings. Thanks for your comments today.
What you say is true, but it doesn't necessarily mean that one isn't open enough or trying hard enough. Sometimes a person could be desperate for a word, no matter what that word is, and not hear a peep. There's a different lesson there, a lesson about patience, about trust.
P.S. To incorporate the metaphor of the Holy Spirit as wind from "heartfelt," sometimes the wind is completely still. We don't feel its presence, but know that the Spirit is all around us, even if it is undetectable.
I'd agree with Cherie.
And I would say that we (okay, the people I know) want to avoid being around people who are judging them, not people who are speaking truth. Having someone speak truth into your life in a judging way (which may depend on perspective) is very different than someone speaking truth into your life in a loving way.
When we don't want to hear the truth from God, I think it often has more to do with issues of trust, fear of judgment, and an inadequate understanding of God's love than willingness to hear truth.
Good food for thought. I've been trying to actively listen and sometimes feel like He's surrounding me with the answers and I'm too daft to get it. Maybe I just don't want to. Hmmmmmm.
Cherie: Good insight regarding the stillness of the wind.
Jenny: I think your missing the point of Mark's comment. It's hearing the truth about ourselves from God even when we don't want to. Also, as Mark mentioned; I've been a counselor and social worker for many years. I've learned through experience that, to get results for helping those in need you have to be brutally honest at times. If they repell its generally because their not willing to work toward changing the circumstances. It's easier to make excuses and dismiss the truth others plainly see.
Yeah, but how the message is delivered can make a huge difference. It is possible to be brutally honest out of love. It's also possible to be brutally honest out of judgment.
very thought provoking. i think those with the prophetic gift (to speak the present truth) sometimes get shot as the messenger even if the message is not said in a mean or judgmental way...there is something in human nature that seems adverse to criticism, at least upon initial reception...it takes maturity and wisdom to even accept constructive criticism. but the wounds of a friend are faithful (in contrast to kisses by an enemy). the Holy Spirit certainly is this type of friend.
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