I’ve Been Working on Courageous Obedience

Throughout the centuries the institutional model of Christianity has tended to imply that people can collect enough religious sentiment and Bible information on Sunday morning to carry them through the week. However, the Bible says that God’s “mercies begin afresh each morning.” (Lamentations 3:23 NIV.) The mysterious manna in the wilderness that the Israelites called “What is it?” demonstrates that Christ-followers need to be trained to receive fresh activation from the Holy Spirit every morning and to let the Spirit lead and sustain them throughout each day.

Making disciples is much more than preaching to people once a week. It involves training them to be Holy Spirit activated and directed every day and night. That training focuses on helping people to recognize and listen to the Spirit and then to say and do as He individually directs them from within their heart.

Jesus told His disciples: “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26 NIV.) To be Christ’s disciples Christians need to be taught and reminded by the Spirit, day and night.

But “What is it?” What is the teaching and reminding of the Spirit? Many Christians don’t know what it is. The teaching and reminding of the Holy Spirit is God’s still small inner voice. Jesus, the God-man, said, “My sheep hear My voice.” The Spirit of Christ speaks within His followers in various ways: with their conscience, with thoughts, with images, with impressions, with ideas, with insights, with Bible verses, and more.

Christ’s sheep recognize His inner voice and refuse to follow the deceptive voice of strangers (the devil and his associates) or trust in their own voice. When something comes to your mind or heart and you want to do it, it’s most likely the voice of your own desires. If you don’t want to do what an inner voice says that voice isn’t from you. (It’s either from God or from the devil.)

If an inner voice violates Scripture and is in any way morally wrong, it’s not God’s voice. (It’s either from you or the devil.) If it’s tempting or coercive, it’s from the devil.

When an inner voice aligns with goodness and the other aspects of the fruit of the Spirit it is from God. A voice from God will not contradict Scripture or biblical morality.

Learn to recognize the still small voice of God’s Spirit. He’s speaking within you throughout each day. Be still and notice His voice. Train yourself to obey Him promptly whether you feel like it or not.

Begin to demonstrate courageous Spirit-led obedience in front of other people. Teach and train them to be Spirit-activated and Spirit-directed disciples. “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” (Romans 8:14 NIV.)