There is a way to know what to do in your daily life. There is a way you can know what to do in your business dealings, in your family, in your ministry, and in all your daily decisions. There is a way to know right from wrong. There is a way and that way is this. We must be led by the Spirit of God.
But, how are we led by the Spirit? How can we know what God wants us to do? Well, first of all we must listen to God and not to man.
Now, don’t take me wrong. It’s not wrong to get good godly counsel, but ultimately you must hear from God Himself and do what He wants you to do.
God will never be confused. His answers will always be clear.
The Bible tells us that “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.” When we are led by the Spirit, we will not be confused. Instead we will have direction and move forward in peace.
First of all, to be led by the Spirit of God, you must be “born again.” Romans 8:14 says, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.”
Secondly, you must spend time with God and His word. We cannot expect to hear from God if we never allow Him to talk.
Also, something often overlooked is this. Man is a three part being. Man is a spirit who has a soul and lives in a body.
First Thessalonians 5:23 tells us “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Here, in this scripture, we clearly see that the Bible makes a distinction between the body, soul and the spirit.
Now the point is this. We contact the physical realm with our body. We contact our soulish realm with our intellect and we contact the spiritual realm with our spirit. We cannot be led by the Spirit of God if we never enter into the spiritual realm. Why? Because the things of the spirit cannot be understood by the natural man.
So, when you have a decision to make and you are seeking God for wisdom, remember this. You can be led by the Spirit. You can have the mind of Christ and know the will of God for your life. You don’t have to be in the dark concerning your destiny.
Preconceived Ideas
When we open the Bible, we should not have preconceived ideas. Wouldn’t it be great if we could open the Word of God, not as Baptists, not as Methodists, not as Presbyterians, or not as Charismatics, but simply as Christians and accept clearly what God’s Word says?
Even though most Christians claim to believe the entire Bible as the inspired Word of God, many times we hesitate to blindly trust in God’s Word. Even when we study the Bible, we usually have a point to prove and merely use the Bible to prove our already established belief.
When you talk with some people about the things of God, they become defensive. They have their opinions and nothing you can say, no biblical logic discussed, will change their minds.
We must have the mind of Christ and the only way is to believe what He believes. Jesus only believed the word of the Father. We must be like Jesus.
Sadly, many of us Christians get a belief and we then hold on to this idea as truth regardless. If the Bible disagrees with our doctrine, we ignore that portion of the Bible. This should not be. We need to go to the Word of God, the Bible, in prayer asking God to show us His truths and then believe what He shows us!
How Can We Find the Truths of God?
Second Timothy 3:16 says “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
We need to clear our minds of man’s ideas and philosophies and abide in the Word of God. Only when we believe God’s Word enough to act on it will we receive the promises of His Word.
Satan hates the Word. He knows that it is the Word that sets us free. He knows that it is through the Word that we receive faith. Satan knows that faith is the substance that will destroy his kingdom and he will do whatever is possible to keep the Christian out of faith.
The easiest way to keep them out of faith is to keep them out of the Word. Satan knows that without the Word there is no faith.
Once a man told me that the Bible was just too complicated for him to understand. He went on to say that instead of reading the Bible, he just listened to preachers and he knew they must be right.
Well, quite frankly, that’s wrong thinking. If Satan can keep us out of the Word instead of in it, then his lies will be easier to believe. Why? Because, we have no truth to compare it to.
In John 17:17 Jesus said, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”
Excerpt permission granted by Larry Ollison Ministries
Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of twelve books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.