1. The Holy Spirit reminds us that we are always in need of His teaching regardless of our age, education or years of experience. John wrote, "But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth... But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit - just as it has taught you, remain in him." (I John 2:20,27) Ask the Lord to keep you humble and teachable so that you never grow too old, too educated or too experienced to learn from God.
2. The Holy Spirit reminds us that no human is able to be right all of the time. Some leaders’ need to be right all the time is their biggest hindrance to learning and maturing in Christ. Paul wrote, "This is what we speak, not in words, taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words." (I Cor. 2:13) Ask the Lord to remind you to remain humble whenever you think you have to be right with every decision, with every counseling situation or with every interpersonal disagreement.
3. The Holy Spirit teaches us that we can continue to learn as we exercise the gifts, callings and abilities that God has given us. The writer of Hebrews wrote, "But solid food is for the mature who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil." (Heb. 5:14) Ask the Lord to help you be more willing to learn by using all of your gifts, callings and abilities.
4. The Holy Spirit speaks to believers when they are searching the Scriptures for answers to real problems. Dr. Luke wrote about such fine people of Berea, "Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." (Acts 17:11) Ask the Lord to specifically speak to you about your emotional, mental, physical, interpersonal, spiritual and ministry needs from your study of the Scriptures.
5. The Holy Spirit is unwilling to reveal more of God’s will unless we are obeying the truth we already possess. Jesus said, "He who has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father and I too will love him and show myself to Him." (John 14:21) Ask the Lord to help you obey His commands so that God can reveal greater insights for your future ministries.
6. The Holy Spirit instructs you in ALL the aspects of God’s will when you demonstrate a willingness to go and do what He has directed. Jesus said, "If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own." (John 7:17) It is little wonder that many people remain in the dark about God’s will because they have not exhibited a willingness to obey God in the little things first. Ask the Lord to help you become more of a learner in little ways so he promote you to higher levels of responsibility.
7. The Holy Spirit exposes those who are unwilling to remain learners throughout their lives and ministries. Jesus said, "Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful." (Mark 4:16-19) Ask the Lord to help you learn from periods of fruitlessness in your ministries or interpersonal interactions.
8. The Holy Spirit convicts people who are superficial, shallow or inattentive listeners to God’s voice. Paul wrote, "The Spirit works against the desires of the sinful nature. These are in conflict with one another so that you do not do what you should do." (Gal. 5:17) Ask the Lord to help you avoid superficial, shallow or any type of inattentive listening when God is speaking to you from His word.
9. The Holy Spirit brings rebuke, correction and chastisement to those who fail to listen to God because they fail to fear God and keep His commands. Paul spoke boldly in Antioch saying, "Men of Israel and you Gentiles who worship and fear God, listen to me." (Acts 13:16) Ask the Lord to help you to fear and worship God more wholeheartedly so that you can listen to everything He wants to say to you.
10. The Holy Spirit instructs us in how to be a more discerning, wise and retentive learner of the essentials of God’s will for our own good. Solomon wrote, "My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. " (Prov. 3:1,2,4) Ask the Lord to help you continue to learn from everyone, every ministry situation and every interpersonal interaction throughout your life!
