Tongues, Holy Spirit, living The Word

I recently received the following email inquiry from a fellow Believer at the church I attend:

"So my root question is, what scriptual evidence is there as to why or when it would be unacceptable to pray in the spirit or speak in tongues or exhibit/display other gifts of the Holy Spirit if the gift is Holy Spirit- filled directed, orchestrated or implemented?

For example, I experience utterances in prayer or have prayed in the spirit or even spoken in tongues in incidences where it was clearly directed and executed by the Holy Spirit and not of myself. In these moments, my voice is very quiet and controlled. I'm talking about moments when I am alone with the Lord in that secret place with carpet fibers embedded in my forehead, my spoken prayer sometimes may sound like nonsense to another person but I know what I'm am experiencing in communion and in prayer and with my Lord and it is definitely Holy Spirit filled.

Sometimes and less frequently this occurs at the altar or even in prayer for others where again my voice is very quite and controlled and the 'speaking' clearly is from the Holy Spirit and not from myself. I understand that I do not know enough of God's word nor do I know enough about His awesome character to comprehend this to the fullness that would be necessary to explain it any differently. I know beyond any doubt when I experience the Holy Spirit filling my soul, body, and mind - everything within my being is consumed by and in His presence. Furthermore, I know that speaking in tongues is not something that the Holy Spirit has for me to do publicly but orchestrates this within my alone time with Him and sometimes within small groups of people. Still He clearly communicates to me that it is for my personal walk and not necessarily for those who are around me and that if others hear my very quite and controlled voice, they will respect my personal prayer space and spoken prayer whether they audibly understand it or not.

I'm not even going to go into the visions, sensations, discerning of spirits that He has given me-- let alone the healings of my body, mind, and spirit! Oh how I only want what God wants and He wants me to know the truth! Thank you for responding."

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The church I attend is a mixture of Spirit-filled and non-Spirit-filled Believers. The manifestation of tongues is not allowed to be a point of contention among us. There is a hunger for God of various levels among everyone, as is common in any church body.

So, here is my reply to the question posed. As a Spirit-filled Believer who knows intimately what Jude verse 20 means by building up my faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, I have segmented the response into two parts. The first part pricks our Christian minds with Scripture about the Holy Spirit, and more importantly actually fulfilling the ministry Jesus said His Followers would. The second part addresses the question about the acceptable use of the gifts of the Spirit. The question asked for Scriptural reference to the acceptable use of the gift of tongues, which I included and expanded into the acceptable times to follow the Holy Spirit in general, both for tongues and other leading by the Spirit.

The following is a combination of Scripture, my own experiences with the Holy Spirit, and thoughts emanating from both. Any spiritual wisdom or insight from the following is attributable to the Holy Spirit. Any chaff from the following is attributable to me. This is not really spiritual milk for infants in Christ (1 Peter 2:2), it is more along the lines of spiritual meat--a discussion beyond the primary levels of salvation and sanctification in our faith and walk with Jesus.

I'm not a huge theological debate fan. I was simply compelled to post this on the Web. May it be good seed which falls on good soil. May the Holy Spirit use it to prick our thoughts and further the Kingdom.

Depending on who you talk to, speaking/praying in tongues via the Holy Spirit is: 

• "in the days of the Bible only"
• "not for me"
• believed in (that speaking/praying in the Holy Spirit does occur today), but is not a part of that Believer's faith/walk.  Any of the following may be true: neutral stance, don't desire it, don't see a reason to operate in the gift, either don't know or don't care about the benefits of speaking/praying in the Holy Spirit. 
• an intriguing gift of God a person has heard of, is open to experiencing, but they have not been led/shown/seen how to operate in it
• an integral part of a Believer's faith they exercise regularly, building themselves up in their faith (Jude 20) and having the Holy Spirit pray on their behalf in their weakness and when they know not what to pray (Romans 8:26-27).

First, let me emphatically and with great warmth affirm my deep bonds of true, nonjudgmental acceptance, love and Christian brotherhood/sisterhood which I share with many, many brothers and sisters in Christ who do not speak/pray in tongues. It is not allowed to be a tool of the devil to become a wedge of division between us. I absolutely do not judge those who don’t operate in tongues. And my brothers/sisters do not judge me for Scripture-based pricking of our thoughts and actions about this spiritual gift.

My own experience with prayer languages is wonderful in the Lord, but I’ll highlight only. There is an strengthening and uplifting of spirit and faith speaking and praying in tongues which is indescribable. It fosters an incredible new dimension of intimacy with the Holy Spirit, which was not there prior to operating in the gift. It brings tremendous spiritual edification, which I believe God wishes more of His children would ask for (and He will grant to those who hunger). As with salvation, He does not force things on His children. It is a gift, freely given, to those who ask, and has tremendous benefits in building one’s faith in a powerful way. I loved the Lord and served Him prior to speaking in tongues. And I love and serve Him today. My walk with Him has been immeasurably enhanced by operating in the gift. I pray more Believers would seek this gift, but it does not hamper my relationship with them if they don’t.

The below are the things which first went through my mind upon reading the scenario/question on the Baptism of Fire and speaking/praying in tongues.  These were my first, raw thoughts, which I wrote down, before going further.

•anything can be justified with Scripture, so let the Spirit in love guide us in Truth, as even Satan used Scripture when tempting Jesus.  We already know this, just a reminder. 
• where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. Not bondage to ritualism, historical beliefs, past experiences or (yuck) religion.
• There is no doctrine of a denomination, nor church, nor a man/woman’s opinion which takes place over Scripture and the Truth we are guided to by the Holy Spirit.
• Scripture says tongues are evidence for unbelievers (1 Cor 14:22).  Is this evidence for unbelievers in Christ, or for Believers in Christ who are unbelievers in the existence of the Holy Spirit giving utterance in tongues?
• Jesus could not do miracles in some places because of unbelief (Matt 13:58)
• those who don't hunger or don't believe aren't going to seek or ask for, or receive, the gift(s) of salvation, tongues or the Power of God to fulfill the ministry of Jesus
• how much has our Western Culture secularized and influenced The Body about God, His gifts, and our operation as disciples of Jesus Christ? 
• for someone who has never spoken or prayed in tongues, and/or has not or doesn't believe in the gift, how do they address the subject of tongues?   Do they have a reference to what happens to a person’s spirit when that person regularly and habitually prays in the Holy Spirit? Should they refrain from comment, since it is a gift they have not experienced? Isn't their opinion of this gift only a theory, since they haven’t tasted it?
• along that same thought, can (or should) someone who is an unbeliever share with another person about the experience of salvation?  No.  They have not tasted salvation, they would not speak from heart-knowledge if they tried to talk about salvation.  They might know intellectually, but not from experience, that anyone who puts their faith in Christ will receive salvation.  Pretty much every person in America has this head knowledge.  But someone with head-knowledge-only has no testimony, no experience, no understanding, no Power behind this knowledge.  It is only something they have heard of.  I will ALWAYS take someone with experience over someone with a theory.  If I want to know how to sell a million dollars a year in real estate, do I go ask a plumber?  No.  I go ask someone who sells a million dollars in real estate a year.  The plumber will have a theory on real estate, but it is head knowledge speculation, and not experience.  I should talk to someone who has the fruit on the tree, particular to the kind of fruit I'm seeking to know about.  If I want to know about salvation, I'm going to ask a mature Believer, who has not only tasted it themself but has led others to fruitful discipleship in the Lord.  If I want to know about the Baptism of Fire through the Holy Spirit, and specifically the gift and/or use of tongues, I am going to ask someone who has that fruit on their tree, and has experiences to draw from where the Holy Spirit did or did not lead them to operate in that gift.  They know first-hand about the building of their faith from Jude 20.  They know first-hand about the Holy Spirit praying on their behalf from Romans 8:26-27.  They also have experiences of discernment in situations where they were or were not led by the Holy Spirit to use that gift. My ear is open and attuned to those who have experienced what I'm wanting to know more about.

These preliminary thoughts being mentioned, let's go further:

Proclamation, Or Dilution, Of The Word?

Any of us (Believers) can justify anything in our faith with Scripture.  One question is, did Bible scholars purposefully mistranslate "will" and "shall" and mean to put "might" or "maybe" in Mark 16:16-18? I have substituted  "might" for "will" in the following verses to show a point:   "Whoever believes and is baptized (might) be saved, but whoever does not believe (might) be condemned. And these signs (might) accompany those who believe: In my name they (might) drive out demons; they (might) speak in new tongues; they (might) pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it (might) not hurt them at all; they (might) place their hands on sick people, and they (might) get well."

This was a simple exercise, but has it become appropriate for us to draw the line and start diluting God's Word with our own minds, experiences and culture and rewrite and reinterpret what Jesus said His Followers would do?  To what degree are we squelching God to move and use our lives, just because our past experiences don't include certain signs, wonders or gifts the Word says will accompany those who believe? Are we so comfortable sitting in our pews singing praise songs at our current level of faith that we are not out doing what Jesus said His Followers would do? “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12)

The Weak Body Succumbing To Western Culture, Not Living The Word

There is a very small percentage of the Body of Christ in America who operate in the supernatural realm that Jesus declared Believers would (not might) operate in, a small percentage who even desire to, and a likewise small percentage who think today's "21st Century Christian" is able to.  Could it be said we Christians are being timid and dominated by our culture, with our tails between our legs, instead of operating in the boldness of the Holy Spirit because we're living Colossians 2:8:  "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ."  

Our culture is saturated with interest and fascination in Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, ghosts and UFOs, because we in the Body are not operating in the supernatural Power of the Holy Spirit.  Human beings have an innate craving to believe in the supernatural.  It’s buillt into our basic makeup, and the majority of people would respond to the Lord if they saw His power.  (There is a percentage of humans who even if they saw miracles would not believe, but the large majority would.)  

But no, we (The Body) are content to sit on our hands and sit in our church pews instead of getting out among the sick, hurting and dead doing what Jesus said we are to do.  Is everything Jesus said The Body would do for "Bible times only" (Mark 16:17-18, Matthew 10:8)? 

Does the Word lie when it says "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8)? Was Jesus just mumbling out of the side of His mouth and wasn't really serious when He said "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." (John 14:12)

We in the Body are operating even less in the Power of the Holy Spirit and Jesus' instruction than those who have come and will come to deceive God's elect (Matthew 24:24).  Deceivers will operate in signs and wonders! And we, His disciples, are not? We continuously say we believe God’s Word. When are we going to start doing what Jesus said His Followers would do? Isn't the blunt truth that we don't care to do it? If we cared, or were interested, wouldn't we be seeking Him to teach us and guide us in learning how to operate in His Power? If Jesus called the generation of His time unbelieving (Matthew 17: 16-18), what does that make The Body in 21st Century America? May God wake us up (Ephesians 5:14).

Power Of God, Cafeteria-Style

Let's continue the brutal honesty for just a second.  Isn't it pretty much true that the only supernatural Power of God we desire to see God do (or believe He can do) is heal the sickness or infirmity of someone in our family, someone in our church, someone we know or someone we have heard of?  We pray and believe God for his working of healing miracles, so that our lives can return to being blessed.  

What about the belief in and operation in other things Jesus said would follow those who believe: "heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons" (Matthew 10:8)?  What about the rest?  Are we seeking the Lord for His direction, Power and leading of our lives to walk in His Power across the board, in all areas He said we are to walk in? Or are we just treating the Word like a cafeteria and picking and choosing only what we want to (healing)?

Why does The Body (in general) only believe in or care about one of the things we are to do as Jesus' Followers? Boy, we sure talk a good talk about the Word, and how we do all we can with God's help to live obediently to it! But we aren't. We do strive to exhibit Christ-like attitudes, and forgive others, and build each other up in the Lord.

Where do we stand on the gut check to be out raising the dead, cleansing the lepers and driving out demons? If you're going to say "wacko" or "off the deep end" right now, or stop reading this, you're writing off our Savior--He's the one Who said these things will follow those who believe, not me.

(Remember, it was mentioned at the start this was going to be spiritual meat, not milk. You've read at least this far because of your maturity and hunger for the Lord. Please keep going.)

I have been convicted heavily about this in the last month. I'm walking along in my life, strengthened in the Lord, loving others with His love, sharing His kindness, believing His Word, praying with others, etc. Doing pretty good, right? Then I went into a study of Jesus' words in the Gospels, and while doing so He stripped away from my mind and eyes the secularization of American culture and American Christianity as I read His charge to His Followers, and His promise of empowerment.

The conviction was unbelievable. Suddenly I'm naked before Him and not as much the walking-talking man of God the Western-Culture-influenced Body would say I was. But in that same instantaneous moment, which happens with conviction not condemnation, there was His forgiveness, confidence and strengthening--as well as His offer to learn from and walk with Him in the Power of fulfilling His ministry.

The difficulty in being able to eat His words about His charge to His Followers stems from the blinding scales over our eyes of our culture and society. God absolutely honors our showing His love, sharing kindness, praying with others, etc., and He moves through our so doing. But were Jesus' words "These signs will follow those who believe: in My Name they will be kind to people, be a 'living witness', have a positive outlook on life, say 'God Bless You' to strangers (as if that is some kind of huge testimony to Me and My Power), and tell others 'I'll pray for you'"? How we have diluted His charge in America.

I have no excuse. I have a new hunger I can't contain to be His vessel. I'm an infant, and a sponge to learn from Him. Bottom line, it should not be only deceivers walking in signs and miracles (Matthew 24:24). There should be more Power emanating from the walk of Believers than just praying for the healing of our bodies.

What, Then?

The Word says "You have not because you ask not" (James 4:2).  It also very clearly says Jesus was unable to perform many miracles in certain places because of unbelief (Matthew 13:58).  God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are all Gentlemen.  They aren't going to show up where They aren't invited. 

God is not going to force Himself on us.  He wants us to choose Him.  This is true not only for Salvation, but it also is true for His gifts and operating in His Power.  He's not going to force His gifts or Power on anyone.  But know this, whoever hungers and thirsts for the things of God, and asks, they will receive. "Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you.  For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened."  (Matthew 7:7-8, Amplified Bible)

This is Jesus' absolute, undeniable promise that whoever seeks (literally, "keeps on seeking") will find.  If someone is hungry for the things and gifts and Power of God, God will put things in motion and deliver.  If we aren't seeking God for salvation or His gifts or Power, if we aren't hungry, or we don't believe, guess what?  God doesn't brow-beat us with Him or the things of Him.  They are gifts, freely given, but only when we ask and seek.  True for the gift of salvation (Ephesians 2:8), true for the gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor 12:4) and true for the Power to operate as Jesus said we are to.

Seeking The Gifts God Wants To Impart, Or Content With The Gifts We Think He Wants?

Let's look at another angle of this from Mark 9.  "For He was [engaged for the time being in] teaching His disciples. He said to them, The Son of Man is being delivered into the hands of men, and they will put Him to death; and when He has been killed, after three days He will rise [from death].  But they did not comprehend what He was saying, and they were afraid to ask Him [what this statement meant]."  (Mark 9:31-32, Amplified Bible)

In verse 31, Jesus said something His disciples did not understand--as happened frequently during His ministry (Mark 4:13, Mark 8:21, Mark 9:32, Luke 2:50, Luke 9:45, John 8:27, John 10:6, John 12:16, John 16:18).   In verse 32 it goes on to say the disciples did not ask Jesus about it. Specifically, they were afraid to ask Him.  These were men who had Jesus Christ Himself in the flesh, right there with them, to ask Him for clarification about something of God they didn't understand. But they didn't ask.  

If these Followers would not ask, when they had the King of Kings physically there to answer, what's the chance we (who don't have the benefit of having Jesus face-to-face) don't ask Him either? Do we ask Him to help us with things about Him, the Word, or His gifts or Himself that we don't understand? Are we honest enough to admit our pride for not having asked Him, not having sought Him further? Are we just content with whatever of Him we have learned up til now, and that's going to be it?

If we don't understand the gift of praying and speaking in the Holy Spirit, do we just write it off as "not for me", or "Bible-times-only", or "it's one of God's mysteries"?  Do we justify our unbelief by quoting 1 Cor 14:2 without its surrounding context and conclude "that's only for some"? Do we go to God and tell Him “Lord, that’s something I don’t understand and don’t care to”? Or do go to Him inquisitively and say “Father, Your Word speaks of this gift, and Your Word says Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb 13:8). I don’t understand this gift and have not experienced it, but if this is something I need to learn more of to strengthen my walk with You, will You show me? I am open to whatever gifts You have for me, to build my faith, whether I have previously experience or believed in them or not.” Or do we further openly pray “Lord, Your Word says ‘our struggle is not against flesh and blood’ (Ephesians 6:12). I pray and do battle for You and Your Kingdom in prayer with my own mind and my own words every day. But Father, if there need to be spiritual prayers spoken to do this spiritual battling above the thoughts and limitations of my human mind in prayer, Father I welcome You showing me how I can move to a new plane of prayer, to do spiritual battle for You and Your Kingdom through the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Tongues And Edification

In reading 1 Cor 14:2 we should also read 1 Cor 14:6-16.  I am not typing this email in my prayer language/tongue.  I am typing this in English, for the edification of Believers.  Do I speak and pray in tongues?  Yes, every day, throughout the day.  Does it build my faith (Jude 20)? Absolutely. Does the Holy Spirit pray when I know not what I ought to pray, and does He intercede on my behalf (Romans 8:26-27)? Absolutely.

Praying/speaking in a prayer language (tongues) is mainly for personal edification. It is the Holy Spirit speaking/praying for you and through you. You're there, but it isn't your flesh, it's the Holy Spirit praying and/or speaking.

I don't know how to even begin to adequately describe the strengthening, deepening and heightening of one's own spirit and relationship with the Holy Spirit through the regular exercise of the gift of tongues. As mentioned earlier, I loved the Lord and served Him greatly prior to receiving this gift. There is simply a magnification of faith and spirit which results from the gift that is incredible. The Holy Spirit would love to show and grow with you in this gift if you'll ask.

If you have not received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and/or exercised in the gift of tongues, find some good-fruit-bearing Christians (Matthew 7:17) who have received the Baptism of Fire and ask them plainly about it. They will be glad to share in love about the gift.

If you have received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit but not prayed/spoken in tongues, you are already enabled to build your spirit up through the gift--you just haven't operated in it yet. The Holy Spirit is able to give you utterance in a prayer language (tongue), but if you're unsure how to, talk to a Christian brother/sister who does operate in tongues over and they'll be delighted to share with you.

the specific question asked about when to operate in the gift of tongues

All of this up til now has addressed speaking/praying in tongues in general.  The specific question was:  "what scriptual evidence is there as to why or when it would be unacceptable to pray in the Spirit or speak in tongues or exhibit/display other gifts of the Holy Spirit if the gift is Holy Spirit- filled directed, orchestrated or implemented?"

The answer to this question is within the question.  The answer is:  it is acceptable to operate in the gift of tongues when "the gift is Holy Spirit-filled directed and orchestrated".   The answer is be led by the Spirit and obey the Spirit.  God's Word does instruct, teach, exhort and rebuke us.  In addition to the Word, we (who ask) are also given the Holy Spirit to empower and lead us in situations which the Word does not specifically address. 

All That Matters: Being Led By The Spirit

After our salvation, the simplicity  of a fruit-bearing Christian life and abiding in Jesus is:  dying to ourselves (flesh), taking up our cross, and being led by the Holy Spirit.  If we are going where the Spirit leads us to go and doing what the Spirit leads us to do,  we are truly abiding in Jesus, bearing fruit of Him and the Spirit (John 15: 3-5, John 14:26), and will not be in danger of Him saying "Depart from Me, I never knew you" even if we had been doing Christian works in His Name (Matthew 7:21-23).  

After He saves us, if we are discipled and grow in Him, and stay plugged into the Vine, our Christian lives mature.  We begin to minister and not just be ministered to.  We begin to encourage others in the Lord and with the Word, and not just receive encouragement in the Lord and in the Word from others.  We begin to be His hands, His feet, His voice to others.  

And how does this happen?  By the Holy Spirit.  Jesus promised He would send the Holy Spirit, and after receiving the Holy Spirit his disciples would be equipped to be His witnesses to all the earth (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:4, Acts 1:8).

The Spirit’s Leading In Non-Scriptural Situations

We encounter tens (or hundreds) of situations and decisions every day. What path do I take to and from work today? What do I do for lunch? What errands do I need to run? What store do I go to? Does the Lord want to use me here?

When we’re in the middle of a situation requiring us to move/act, our knowledge and recall of Scripture is going to guide us only partially in the decisions we have to make. Scripture-based daily decisions generally pertain to our overall attitude we carry throughout our daily life (to be self-controlled and not react in the flesh, to be Christ-like in our attitude and actions, etc.)

But what about more specific situations we come across daily? (ex: “Lord, do You want me to talk/minister to this person?” “Lord, should I speak to this person now, or should I remain quiet as they share a personal moment with You?” “Father, I see pain in this person’s eyes. Do you want me to speak to them? Ask them if there’s a burden I can pray for, or is it not for me to do at this time?” “Lord, is there somehow You wish to specifically use me here in this place? If so, show me.” “Lord, shall I witness to them?” “Lord, shall I pray with this person?”)

God can and will use us every day. And He wishes to use us more often than most of us think He does. There are times I go into a store, anticipating and looking for the Holy Spirit to show me who or what I am to do while in there. I let Him know I am available, and willing to speak or act for Him at His leading. In increasing measure, I am attuned to the Holy Spirit wherever I go, ready without hesitation or “cultural properness” to say or do whatever He bids. He is strengthening me to repulse the shame or awkwardness of being His vessel smack dab in the middle of American society. I am growing to be willing to be a fool for God if that’s what He wants in that moment, to risk human scorn for the purpose of furthering His Kingdom, even if in some small way, to someone He loves, at the appropriate time, by His prompting.

As we ask, as we are willing and empty vessels through which God can move, the Holy Spirit will lead. Getting to know His leading, the Holy Spirit’s voice, is like any other developed habit in life. It comes with practice and experience.

Just as we learn to ride a bicycle, we likewise learn the Holy Spirit’s leading. Learning the distinction of His leading from our own thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9) and Satan’s attempted deception (Matthew 4: 3, 6, 8) is a process. Eventually we will be able to recognize the Holy Spirit from other thoughts in the same way we would recognize bold-typed lettering from non-bold lettering on a piece of paper. My own experience is learning the Holy Spirit is a growth process, full of mistakes and "falling off the bike". I'm sure there are some who receive Him who hear Him clearly and directly from the moment they follow. I'm sure this happens, but my experience in learning the Spirit's voice has not been this smooth.

The good news is God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). If we miss the Holy Spirit’s guidance as we are learning to follow Him, but miss Him in the act of seeking to know and follow what He would have us do, our heart is still honorable to our Father. All God wants is willingness. If we misstep and miss the Spirit, it’s alright. God can still move, and bring about His purpose and glory, even if we don’t step with flawless perfection. God is also looking at the big picture, overall. If we miss Him in a particular moment, He can line up the circumstances again, for Him (through us) to move.

When we’re walking by the Spirit in the world (daily life), this is a different dimension and circumstance of following the Spirit’s lead than when we're in church. There is more chaos in the world. The world (America, at least) is not focused on the things of God, not during the week. But our calling as His Followers is to be His witnesses, to preach the Kingdom, and operate in His power (Matthew 10:8, John 14:12), and not just on Sundays.

Even though we know this calling, and are empowered to do so, we are still constantly barraged by culturally acceptable norms and behavior, at least here in America. Here’s an example of this cultural barrage impacting a situation where the Holy Spirit wanted to move.

I recently, as part of my job, had a conversation with a lady about her work as a Director at a university in Kentucky.  During the last 10 minutes of our conversation, the Holy Spirit flooded me with the knowledge that this lady had a big burden of some kind.  I was in her office as part of my day job, and though we talked of job-related matters, the Holy Spirit was all over me the last portion of she and I's conversation.

The end of our conversation in the natural didn't seem to lead to my asking about her burden or if I could pray with or for her, so I left her office thinking about it but didn't say anything. 

I got 40 feet down the hall, and the Holy Spirit told me to go back.  I went back to her office, told her she was going to think I was nuts, and told her I'm a follower of Christ and was led to come back and ask her if there was some burden of hers I could pray for. 

Her jaw dropped to the floor.  She was literally speechless.  When she regained herself, she shared about losing her father last Fall, and just the night before I met with her an incident happened that very vividly opened back up the deep wound and pain of losing her dad, who she was very close to. It was so vivid that it had kept her up most of the night.

As we talked, I deeply sensed the Holy Spirit wanted us to pray there in her office. I asked her if it was alright if we pray, or would she rather I pray for her after I left. She wanted to pray right then and there, I could see in her expression, but that look of hunger and expectation was then replaced by a “what if someone heard us praying here in this university office or walked in” look on her face. She asked if I would just pray as/after I left. I told her I would, and did.

I know praying would have been very powerful in that moment, but the Lord still used it. In fact, over the next two days whenever i would pray for her by name, did I ever have the power of God fill me as I prayed for her! I prayed “Lord, I sense You so strongly as I pray for her. May she feel Your presence ten times what I am feeling right now! May Your presence be so overwhelming to her right now, that she absolutely knows in this very moment I am praying for her. May Your presence be so strong upon her right now that she has to stop whatever she is doing because of Your overwhelming presence!”

Side Note: Here’s a neat way you can pray in public without raising as many eyebrows, even though America is a Christian nation (allegedly). I did this once prior to the meeting in that Director’s office in Kentucky, but had temporarily forgotten having done so. I haven’t forgotten since, and if the Spirit leads me to pray with someone in public I do something like this. It’s a cool way the Lord works around what American society says is proper and acceptable in public.

If after or during my talking with someone I feel the Spirit’s lead, I look at them and say something along the lines of “I’d really like to pray with you. If it’s okay with you, we’ll both keep our eyes open and look at each other as if we’re just carrying on a normal conversation, and we’ll pray. Is that okay with you?”

In the case of the university lady, I would have added “If we hear the outer office door open, the prayer will stop immediately and I’ll get up and leave.” That would have allowed us to pray, as her first reaction indicated she wanted to, but also provide an “out” if the cultural constraints change the circumstance. It’s a win/win: the Spirit’s lead leads to prayer then and there, but it also removes the plague of cultural constraint/embarrassment/pressure most people succumb to about praying in public.

You’d think if we are a Christian nation it would be perfectly acceptable for people, even strangers, to pray publicly with each other if the need arises and the Spirit leads. Isn’t it strange how even some church-going Christians view public prayer inappropriate and give you the same judgmental, religious scowl Jesus knew so well when He walked the earth?

Looking To The Holy Spirit Continually

The possibility of being in the flesh instead of in the Spirit is still feasible, so we must continually lock in on following the leading of the Spirit.  But even when we hear Him, the option still remains to obey or not obey His leading.  Jesus said "Whoever serves Me must follow Me" (John 12:26).  The indwelling of the Holy Spirit to lead us is the fulfillment of Jesus saying "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever" (John 14:16).   We can serve Him desire to serve Him, but Jesus says that in addition to serving we must also follow. Notice He distinguished serving and following.

We are not automatically going to be led by the Spirit 24/7 just because we have received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.  We must still die to our flesh daily, hourly, minutely, however often it takes, and seek and be open to (and follow/obey) the leading of the Spirit.  If the Spirit leads us to pray in tongues, we should.  If the Spirit leads us to refrain, we should.  If the Spirit leads us to keep praying/speaking in tongues but bring the volume down to our personal speaking space, we should.  If the Spirit leads us to go pray with someone, we should.  If the Spirit says "don't touch them", we shouldn't.  If the Spirit leads "don't talk to them, this is a moment between them and the Father", then we should be silent.

This is our goal of maturity in the faith, to walk in obedience to the Spirit.  Not just on Sundays, not just during church service, but in every situation in our life.  Die to our own flesh (Galatians 2:20), resist the devil (James 4:7), and live by the Spirit (Romans 8:14).  

Truths About Being Led By The Spirit:

If we are led by the Spirit several things are going to be true:
•  it doesn't mean our life is going to be only peaches-n-cream and God blessing our socks off without trial.  "Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil" (Matthew 4:1)  Being led by the Spirit does not mean entering the land of the Prosperity Gospel.  Paul was led by the Spirit, and spent years in prison, serving the Lord boldly and with thanksgiving amidst the conditions and circumstances.  God led His Own people through the desert for 40 years.  God's will is not all fluff and perfume (Matthew 5:11-13, Luke 6:22-24, Hebrews 12:7, 2 Timothy 2:3, 2 Corinthians 1:8, Revelation 2:3). The Prosperity Gospel is an abomination to God, and is not the Truth or teaching of Jesus (Matthew 10:34). The Truth of the Gospel is an offense to them who don’t believe (John 3:18-20). If people hate the light because their deeds are evil, do we think they’re going to embrace us warmly and be cordial, smiling and friendly as the Word pierces them? Jesus said "Don't assume that I came to bring peace on the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword" (Matthew 10:34). His Word divides and convicts those who would embrace Truth from those who don't want to come into His Light.

• obeying the Spirit does not mean we are necessarily going to be pleasing man.  We are going to be pleasing God, regardless of man's opinion.  (Acts 4:18-20, Acts 5:28-30) This Truth is balanced Scripturally by "For although I am free from all people, I have made myself a slave to all, in order to win more people. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win Jews; to those under the law, like one under the law--though I myself am not under the law--to win those under the law. To those who are outside the law, like one outside the law--not being outside God's law, but under the law of Christ--to win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I may by all means save some. Now I do all this because of the gospel, that I may become a partner in its benefits" (1 Corinthians 9:19-23).

So, which is it? Do we strive to please God, regardless of what man thinks, or do we "become all things" to win people to us, that they then might be won for the Kingdom? My experience is to simply follow the Spirit. If He leads me to speak a strong, convicting word, I do. If He has me shower unconditional love and win someone's trust through compassion or humor, I do. People's hearts are in a wide range of conditions. God knows where each human being's heart is in relation to Him at any given moment. We do not. That's why we should not blindly use the same approach in every situation. We shouldn't use a strong word when the Lord's will is to show His compassion and acceptance. Conversely, we shouldn't assume we're always to be dainty and soft in whatever we say to someone. Dainty and soft is not always the chosen way God gets His message across either. Some people need a rebuke to come to their senses with Him. This is why we must be led by the Spirit, to do/say what He wills.

• being led by the Spirit gives us freedom.  "But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law" (Galatians 5:18, NIV)  "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom)." (2 Corinthians 3:17, Amplified Bible).  We are not bound by man's laws, religious propriety, denominational acceptance of what is proper or not proper.  Our only obligation is to respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit.  We are accountable to the Father, not man.  We are not accountable to man-induced denominational and religious institutions and constraints, which put God "in a box" and limit Him as to what and Who He is, what He will or can do (to move and heal among His people), or how He will be allowed to do it.  How much of this is going on in the churches of America and the world today?  (Cough cough)

• the things we are led by the Spirit to do will often be unconventional in terms of earthly wisdom, earthly properness, and will draw both scorn and raised eyebrows from those who do not understand what the Spirit is doing.  This will include Believers and unbelievers.  ("For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom" (1 Cor 1:25), "the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight" (1 Cor 3:19), "He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, 'Do you see anything?'" (Mark 8:23, verses 23-25 for context),  "After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man's ears. Then he spit and touched the man's tongue." (Mark 7:33, verses 32-37 for context).  In both cases, Jesus was led to use spit to help bring about the healings.  In both cases of doing this Jesus took the person aside, away from the crowd, before doing this.  Jesus knew by the leading of the Holy Spirit that spit was to be used/involved as part of both of these healings.  He also knew because of this to take both them away from everyone else before doing so.  How foolish and unconventional a method/act to be used in healing, but Jesus knew it.  He was led by the Holy Spirit to do so, and He did.  That is our same calling from the Father.  To be led by the Spirit, and to honor and fear God, not man.  To do what the Spirit leads, regardless of how foolish it looks or is in man's eyes or opinion.  We will not stand before man on Judgment Day.  We will stand before God.  It is He to whom we will give our account.  So, who is to be feared, God or man in terms of what we do or how it appears?  We decide.  "For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." (1Cor 1:21-24)

So, is there a balance to be struck between edification of the Body (spoken of in 1 Corinthians Chapters 12 and 14) and the knowledge that being a servant of Christ  will be offensive, to both members of the Body as well as unbelievers (Galatians 1:10)?   

There is a balance.  The chapters in 1 Corinthians 12 and 14 are the Word, applicable for Believers through the ages.  At the same time, though, we should soberly recognize the way "politically correct" thought from our Western Culture has slithered its way into the thinking of the Body of Christ and diluted our boldness for the entire gospel of Jesus Christ:  witnessing, salvation, Baptism of the Holy Spirit, tongues, healing, casting out demons, etc. 

It is a cunning lie of the Enemy (through our culture) to have people barraged with the thought "I can't do that, it might offend.  I can't do that, what will people think.  I can't do that, it doesn't seem proper.  I can't do that, it would be embarrassing"   What matters?  Following the Holy Spirit, or making sure we stay within the bounds of human/cultural/religious/church properness, human/cultural/religious/church decency, human/cultural/religious/church respectability?  

If the Holy Spirit leads us to do something foolish in man's eyes, are we to sit back and please man, or further God's Kingdom?  "If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels." (Mark 8:38)  Ouch.  

If the Holy Spirit leads us to do something, we should do it.  Are we going to stand before God on Judgment Day and say "Lord, I just couldn't bring myself to speak to that hurting, lost person because it just didn't seem right--the room was so crowded, and there were so many people around.  I didn't want to offend anyone else present."  Or, "Lord, I sensed the Holy Spirit leading me to speak in tongues in front of Sarah, but I didn't know what she would think, so I didn't.  I know now you were leading me to speak in tongues, for it would have led Sarah to ask me questions about my faith.  I would have shared with her about the power and Baptism of the Holy Spirit, and she would have moved into a closer, more powerful relationship with You that night."

We should operate in the gifts we’ve received when the Holy Spirit leads us to. We may not know the reason in our own minds, and it may seem awkward to our own mind and knowledge (Isaiah 55:8-9). It may not always bring about a peaches-n-cream result, even in that very moment (Mark 4:15). The blunt truth is: so what. All that matters is following the lead of the Holy Spirit.

Can the Holy Spirit still move powerfully even after not following His lead?  Look back at the example of the college Director I spoke with a few weeks ago in Kentucky.  The Holy Spirit gave the knowledge that the lady with whom I was speaking had a burden I was to pray for.  Our conversation was about the matters and her role at the university.  There didn't "seem" to be a proper way to transition from talk about the university over to this unspoken burden which I was to pray for.  Not sensing the "proper" way to transition, I got up to leave her office.  Even as I got up to leave without saying a word, I knew the Spirit wanted me to speak.  But I succumbed to societal roles and properness.  I did not follow the Spirit in that moment, even though He was telling me to speak!  The good things is, even as I left the office the Spirit would not let it go.  He flooded my mind about it from the moment I stood up to leave until I turned around to go back to speak to her.  Even though I initially left, suppressing the Spirit, He was able to use my return to her office for God's glory.  God is flexible, and is just as able and Mighty to work through (backup, second chance) Plan B after we have disregarded/disobeyed Him during (His perfect will) Plan A.

Being Led By The Spirit Will Bring Persecution, Even From Within The Body

Being obedient to Scripture and being led by the Holy Spirit will bring criticism, judgment and the scorn of others.  Persecution stems from a variety of causes, including the amount of religion (not Christianity) in others.

Was Jesus' entire ministry centered around doing what was religiously proper and acceptable, or being the physician for those who are sick (Matthew 9:12)?  It was the religiously proper of Jesus' day (good people, went to church, said the right religious things, looked good/smelled good) who spewed venom at Him for healing on the Sabbath (Matthew 9:9-14).  It was the church-going, outwardly-appearing righteous church leaders who slandered and accused Jesus of driving out demons by the prince of demons (Matthew 12: 22-28).

The Word is very clear about the conflict between the flesh and the Spirit:  "[That is] because the mind of the flesh [with its carnal thoughts and purposes] is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God's Law; indeed it cannot.  So then those who are living the life of the flesh [catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature] cannot please or satisfy God, or be acceptable to Him.  But you are not living the life of the flesh, you are living the life of the Spirit, if the [Holy] Spirit of God [really] dwells within you [directs and controls you]. But if anyone does not possess the [Holy] Spirit of Christ, he is none of His [he does not belong to Christ, is not truly a child of God]" (Romans 8:7-9, Amplified Bible)

"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ."  (Galatians 1:10)

Speaking of pleasing man or God, let's continue to talk about religion.  Religion (not Christianity) is man's attempt to please God.   Religion is man's view of what/Who God is.  Religion is the act of putting God in a box, where God becomes what man thinks He is or what He should be, based on the belief set of that particular person, group or denomination.  

If God by His Spirit through us moves among the sick, the afflicted, the lost and the oppressed in a way that is outside of religion and man's culture/thinking of how God should move, get ready.   There will be religious venom, judgment and criticism spewn our way--by people claiming His Name. 

The amount and strength of that venom will be in direct proportion to the amount of that person’s or persons’ past or present religion. It can also be tied to the amount of their uncrucified flesh (Romans 8: 3-8). It may also stem from unpublished darkness in the life of the persecutor (John 3:19-20. This include Believers, not just unbelievers).

This venom may also result from violating a denomination’s or religious group’s notion of acceptable behavior (Mark 3:1-6). If someone’s religious rigidity does not acknowledge or condone the moving of the Holy Spirit, this rebuke of Jesus seems fitting: “Woe to you...hypocrites! You lock up the kingdom of heaven from people. For you don't go in, and you don't allow those entering to go in.” (Matthew 23:13)

If we are moving by the Spirit and people are being healed, redeemed, brought to salvation, receiving miracles, etc., who among mankind or even within a church or the Body is to judge that? Reminds me of a phrase I heard twenty years ago and have never forgotten:

“Some would sit outside the church to listen to the mission bell.
I’d rather run a rescue shop a yard this side of Hell.”

The harshest criticism and hatred for Jesus (as He was led in all He did by the Spirit) did not come from sinners (Acts 5:14-18).  Be aware the same harshest criticism may well come from unperfected Believers whose view of the move of the Holy Spirit may be tainted by religious baggage, man’s sin nature/flesh, denominational or religious traditions, or brainwashing and infiltration of Western Culture as to what is acceptable for Christians to do.   

Jesus said "All men will hate you because of Me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." (Matthew 10:22)  He didn't say "only unbelievers will hate you", and from the Gospels it's easily seen the staunchest opposition and hatred of Jesus and His disciples came from God-claiming, God-confessing circles.   Jesus called people like this a “brood of vipers” (Matthew 13:33, context is verses 13-33).

If we are abiding in Him we will be doing the will of the Father (Matthew 12:50).  With Jesus' ascension, it is Scripture and the Holy Spirit which guide and lead us.  If we are led by the Spirit, we are the sons of God (Romans 8:14).  If we are persecuted as a result of following the leading of the Spirit, the persecution will come from both unbelievers and Believers.  It may well be stronger from Believers/church-goers (it was in Jesus' day) due to the blinding filth of religion. 

To wrap both truths together (Spirit-led church orderliness, and pleasing God by being Spirit-led), God is not going to Author someone to break out in a tongue during the moment a pastor is preaching a Spirit-anointed sermon and making a Spirit-anointed point.  The Spirit's lead is orderliness.  At the same time, is there not a blinding infiltration of Western Culture “political correctness” into The Body, which is diluting the boldness with which we should operate in the Truth and Power of the Holy Spirit?

If our being led by the Holy Spirit (evident in the fruits of the Spirit and the powerful healing of Jesus’ touch into human lives) brings offense, we should be wary of a couple of things.

We should not grieve or squelch the Spirit by caving in to religious opposition and man’s opposition to the Spirit’s work. This has already been covered.

At the same time, we should not slip into self-righteous pride, leading to indignation toward our fellow Believers: “The Lord's servant must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance to know the truth. Then they may come to their senses and escape the Devil's trap, having been captured by him to do his will.” (2 Timothy 2:24-26).

We must cloak ourselves with patience and gentleness toward Believers who oppose or express disapproval of our Spirit-led actions. Satan hates the move of the Spirit, as it brings healing and redemption to God’s own. The verses in 2nd Timothy state some (Believers) need to come to their senses and escape the Devil’s trap and his will.

Satan's will is the opposite of God's will. Satan does not want God's children to be free or healed (Luke 4:18), forgiven (John 3:17), convicted of sin (Acts 2:37, Jude 15) or in unity with one another (Acts 2:42-47). The moving of the Spirit works to accomplish all these things. We are acting at God's prompting to further His Kingdom when led by the Spirit.

We should pray those who oppose will come to know the Truth, and recognize the move and Hand of God in what we do when by the Spirit. If we are bearing fruit of and for the Kingdom (Matthew 7:16-20), it is the religious who should repent (change their ways and thinking). We should not judge them or scorn them. We should pray for them, that they will recognize the fruits of the Spirit and come to embrace the Truth.