Being Led by the Spirit?

[MaryEmily]

I read a sermon today and was reminded of something. We trust in the Holy Spirit to lead us. He does that by the word. Just how exactly does He do that? I'm so gun shy of the term Spirit led from the various churches where that led to shouting, jumping, praising, swinging from chandeliers etc... that I don't know what to think of it these days.

Case in point, men are to lead the women. I get the idea to go back to Genesis to read about it. Thoughts come to mind that this is this and that is that. Does the leading come from just reading or does it pop into your mind (which in my estimation leads you perilously close to the "God told me to do it" camp?)

I've been told that the Spirit will not "tell you" what is not scriptural but how is this discerned? On the fly? Or is it????

 

[Studeclunker]

I got a good laugh out of your first paragraph, swinging from the chandeliers... LOL!

This question is a good example of why Adult Sunday School and weekly Bible studies are important. Have a look in first Corinthians, for example. Also, we're Lutherans here. Therefore, Scripture interprets Scripture. Thus the Spirit speaks through the Word: Scripture. The people I have met that seem genuinely to hear the Spirit's guiding voice, always say what they hear is Scripture. Just a phrase, or sometimes a few key words of a passage. Then they go look it up and take guidance from what they have read in Scripture. Sometimes these people wait for more inspiration if the reference isn't immediately clear. I've met a few Lutherans like this, but very few. Mostly it's other denoms that look for direct inspiration like that though. According to the Apostle Paul, that kind of thing is to bolster a weak or new faith for the most part. Not so much the reciever of the inspiration, though that is possible, but usually someone the reciever is to work with.

 

[DaRev]

We need to remember what the work of the Spirit is. He calls, gathers, enlightens, sanctifies, and keeps us in the faith. He leads us to Christ, points us to Christ, gathers us to hear the word and receive the sacraments. If one is led by the Spirit, he/she is led to Christ.

 

[MaryEmily]

Thanks guys. Still reading away. So many questions.... so little time.

 

[Aibrean]

This was actually the topic of our sermon last Sunday. I wish they had it posted online (they typically do but we had a guest pastor).