…But God Led The People – Part 6a
Exodus 13:18
Understanding the principles of God’s leading in our
lives
1. God occasionally leads us through declaration.
? This is God’s least common method of leading us.
? This is the most easily abused of all the ways God leads us.
? God Speaks to us through dreams, visions and His “still small voice” –
? Example: Paul – Acts 16:9
? Example: Peter – Acts 8:26-29
? Example: Elijah – 1 Kings 19:11-12
? Example: Philip – Acts 8:26-29
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2. God often leads us through direction.
? This is God’s purpose in Scripture – give us commands and teachings to direct us in the way of holiness, freedom, integrity and honor.
? The Bible directs us specifically what to do and what not to do.
? Examples:
? OT Law – Don’t kill, Don’t steal, Don’t lie etc – Exodus 20
? Gospels – Love your enemies – Matthew 5
? Epistles – Be fill with the Holy Spirit. Put on humility – Ephesians 5
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3. God sometimes leads us through decree.
? This is God works behind the scenes to put us in the place He wants us to be
? We often don’t understand what or why it’s happening until we are in the middle of the experience or later.
? Example: Paul & Silas in Jail – Acts 16:16-33
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4. God usually leads us through discernment.
? When a situation presents itself that would enable us to obey God’s Word and fulfill a longing in our heart
? This is the ability to follow God’s direction by being spiritually sensitive in order to apply Biblical truth to situations not specifically addressed in Scripture.
? It is the Spirit shaping our mind and heart through Scripture and prayer so that we have inclinations toward what would be most glorifying to him and helpful to others.
? Example – Romans 12:2
? Example – Jael – Judges 4:18-21
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5. God’s leading is frequently derailed through stubborn rebellion.
? Example – Israel – Numbers 13-14
? Example – Moses – Numbers 20:11
? Example – Samson – Judges 16
? Example – David – 2 Samuel 11-12
? Example – Solomon – 1 Kings 11:1
