Being led by The Spirit does not only refer to doing exactly what is in the Bible, for although we are to live by every word of God, yet we must leave some wiggle room for The Holy Spirit to exercise His own discretion in various circumstances. Those who live by a strict adherence to the letter of the law, with no room for God to make changes, or to give more instructions, run the risk of misunderstanding the work of the Holy Ghost.
When the Bible states that God never changes, it is referring primarily to His character of love, which is the springboard for all His actions. Thus, although He never changes in character, yet at times He may change instructions if situations on the ground are different, or He may choose to exercise discretion in particular circumstances, as His wisdom may see fit.
It’s also important for us to remember that the path of the just is as the shining light that shines more and more until the perfect day, thus, if we were to restrict God only to what is written in the Bible, any other information, or instruction He may see fit to give us may be rejected on non-biblical grounds just as many folks in Christ’s day rejected His teachings.
For instance, we will read on numerous occasions where Christ would use the following words, “You have heard that it was said by them of old time, but I say unto you”. The word “But” involves a change in the way the people had understood certain truths, or it would involve additional light to be shed upon specific issues that had previously been given, but which needed to be elaborated on, or explained.
Therefore, it was necessary for Jesus to emphasize that He came not to change the law and prophets, but, for The moral law never changes; He was just broadening the understanding of what was already written. Some may have feared that His teaching would unseat scriptural truths, but Christ made clear that this was not the case. Let’s read:
Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
21 Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment.
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.
1st John 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
Up until the time of Christ, many in Israel may have thought themselves righteous in God’s sight, if they had merely refrained from literally killing someone. But the teaching of Christ reaches into the thoughts and intents, and emotions of the heart, and thereby showing that the evil thought that is harbored, and cherished, only waiting an opportune moment to be expressed, is just as bad as the evil act itself.
But if this additional light was refused on grounds that it was not written in the old testament, then the people would remain in darkness. In fact, when we look at the bulk of complaints against Christ by the religious authorities of His day, they were based on a perceived violation of the law, and that’s the reason why the scribes and pharisees often said to Christ: “Why do your disciples transgress the law”.
Therefore, if we would be willing to be led by The Spirit of God, we will need to leave some room for God’s discretion, additional information, and a mind that is humble enough to let God be God. In other words, if God sees fit to exercise His discretion in a particular way, or in certain matters, we should be willing to follow where He leads the way. Let’s read:
Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
This leads us to a well-known story in the scriptures in which the prophet Jonah was sent to the city of Nineveh to preach a specific sermon. After trying to avoid the God-given task he afterward relented and went into the city declaring to the inhabitants that forty days were given before it would be destroyed. No caveats or conditions were given and none were advised as to what needed to be done to avert the crisis.
Forty days meant forty days, but the citizens of that city suddenly knew exactly what they needed to do, so from the king down to the peasant, everyone put on sackcloth and ashes and turned away from their sins. Thus, because the situation on the ground had changed, God responded by using His discretion and mercy, and did not do to them as He had purposed.
This change of plans in response to what the people did would have some ramifications, for Jonah may be seen by some as a false prophet. Not only this, but since God knows the future, why then did He give Jonah such a potent message, knowing that it would not come to pass? Would it cause any future threats of coming judgement to be taken lightly?
But all these questions, and others are beside the point, because, although God had given to Jonah a very direct and specific message, yet, being led by The Spirit would cause Jonah to make allowance for a change in strategy wherever warranted, even if he may be called a false prophet in the process.
In other words, if God has a choice between saving millions of people, and His word being viewed as false, so be it. His character of love did not change, but His word was changed because of the changing circumstances which had obtained. This is one of a number of difficulties people encounter with what may be written in the Bible. Again, we reiterate, we are to follow implicitly God’s word, but at the same time, let God be fully God.
Being led by The Spirit may at times involve changes to specific instructions God gave to us, but at such times the changes are to be the sole prerogative of God, and not of man. His discretion at this particular time may have caused Jonah to be looked upon as a false prophet, and he may have faced some sort of embarrassment, but if so, Jonah must still let God be God. Let’s read:
Jonah 3:1 And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time, saying, 2 Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.
3 So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days' journey.
4 And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.
5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.
6 For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.
7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:
8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth,
and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.
10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.
Jonah 4:1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.
2 And he prayed unto the Lord, and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country?
3 Therefore now, O Lord, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.
4 Then said the Lord, Doest thou well to be angry?
Again, the discretion of God is made apparent in the experience of some of Israel’s kings. The Lord by His foreknowledge, saw that the Hebrews would ask for a king at some point in time and therefore He’s now going to lay down specific instructions, pertaining to how the king should govern, and behave himself. It was to safeguard both the king and the people that the following specifics were given. Let’s read:
Deuteronomy 17:4 When thou art come unto the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me;
15 Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the Lord thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother.
16 But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the Lord hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.
17 Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.
18 And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites.
19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them.
20 That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.
That’s all well and good, being written in the Bible under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit as are all the other passages that are written. However, we must leave some wiggle room for the Spirit to exercise His discretion, if He sees fit. We are not to demand an explanation from God, nor should we hold Him accountable if there is a change of strategy in certain circumstances, for we must let God be God.
Two passages in the context clearly show us that God reserves the right to make changes to what is written, at His own discretion, for that which He has spoken can override that which is written whenever He sees fit. Solomon was granted an abundance of riches, to the point where he became the wealthiest king who ever lived. And there were “Others”. Let’s read:
1st Kings 3:11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;
12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honor: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.
14 And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.
2nd Samuel 12:7 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;
8 And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things.
The word “Gave” is a pretty disturbing word in the context, for it’s quite different than “Permit” where one might conclude that God allowed David to have several wives. Why God gave these wives to David we cannot tell, but if He so chose, we should all be humble enough to let God be God, allowing Him to use His discretionary prerogatives in the particular circumstance.
The same principle of allowing The Holy Spirit to use His discretionary prerogative is carried over into the New Testament, where there are several examples of it is written, being overridden by what God sees fit to do in given circumstances. Those who believed that it is written was set in stone, with no wiggle room for changes and adjustments, would be hard- pressed to believe that God was indeed leading.
Again, no explanation is given for why such changes were made even though they were directly contrary to what is written in the Bible, yet, it was The Holy Ghost who was leading. It is of critical importance for us to understand this, for as we enter those last, difficult days of earth’s history the same thing will be repeated, and we are warned in advance not to be too rigid, lest haply we be found to fight against God. Let’s read:
Acts 10:9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour.
10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and
fowls of the air.
13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.
15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,
18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.
19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.
20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with
them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.
21 Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?
22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.
24 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends.
27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.
28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?
30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.
33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.
34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ:
38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
They of the circumcision are specifically mentioned, because in their minds, a terrible war was brewing, namely, what was written, as opposed to what The Holy Spirit is now directing them to do. This caught everyone by surprise, because the sudden overturn of a long held scriptural teaching has been tossed out the window. However, believe it or not, Peter and his company were being led by The Spirit of God. Let’s read:
Genesis 17:9 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.
10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.
12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised.
14 And the uncircumcised man child who is not circumcised, shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.
Luke 1:59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.
Luke 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Acts 15:1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas;
23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner:
28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
Again, the same thing is repeated as the apostle is instructing young Timothy in regards to his ministry. Several exhortations, counsels, and instructions are given, among which is one brief word of advice on an issue of great importance and relevance to those living today and written under the inspiration of The Holy Spirit. Let’s read:
1st Timothy 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
Fast-forward several centuries into the future, when there is an health epidemic raging across the globe, costing the lives of millions, and straining local and federal budgets to the point of exasperation. God now sees fit to give us additional info by His Holy Spirit, because circumstances have changed on the ground. His character is the same, but we must give Him some wiggle room to make adjustments, if His discretion so determines. Let’s read:
[Test. Vol 3 pp 211] Ministers should not neglect physical exercise. The poor health of some of our ministers is because of their neglect of physical exercise in useful labor.
[Ministry of Healing. pp 238] Inactivity is a fruitful cause of disease. Exercise quickens and equalizes the circulation of the blood, but in idleness the blood does not circulate freely, and the changes so necessary to life and health, do not take place. The skin becomes inactive. Impurities are not expelled as they would if the circulation had been quickened by vigorous exercise and the lungs fed with plenty of pure, fresh air.
It is therefore of critical importance for us to be willing to be led by The Spirit of God, for just as the path of the righteous is as the shining light which shines more until the perfect day, just so, God will lead those who are willing, to advancing light, for just as truth is progressive, our knowledge of God should also be increasing.
Therefore, we end with two passages of scripture, and a word of caution coming directly from the Spirit of God let’s read:
Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Malachi 3:6 For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
[Last Day Events pp 209>210] There is to be in the Seventh-day Adventist churches a wonderful manifestation of the power of God, but it will not move upon those who have not humbled themselves before the Lord and opened the door of the heart by confession and repentance.
In the manifestation of that power which lightens the earth with the glory of God, they will see only something which in their blindness they think dangerous, something which will arouse their fears, and they will brace themselves to resist it. Because the Lord does not work according to their ideas and expectations they will oppose the work. “Why,” they say, “should we not know the Spirit of God, when we have been in the work so many years?
God Bless!