| 2017,07|

Foundation Scriptures: Romans 8:14–16 and Proverbs 20:27

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing sonship] in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father! 16 The Spirit Himself [thus] testifies together with our own spirit, [assuring us] that we are children of God.
Romans 8:14-16 AMP

The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly. Proverbs 20:27 KJV

1. God will enlighten us and guide us through our spirits

a. The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly. The AMP says, “The spirit of man [that factor in human personality which proceeds immediately from God] is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts.”
b. The spirit of man —the heart—is the lamp of the Lord. This means that God will lead you by His Spirit in your spirit.
c. Only when your heart is right and pure, can you trust what your heart is telling you. Only then can you
clearly hear and surely trust the Spirit’s leading and guidance through your spirit.
How God speaks to you:
• Still small voice.
• His Word.
• Confirmation through two or three witnesses.
• Dreams, visions, and an audible voice.

2. The Inward Witness

a. Under the Old Covenant, people were not born again; the Holy Spirit did not yet live IN them.
They needed the guidance of a prophet.
b. Under the New Covenant, God lives in US. We are sons of God, led by the Spirit of God.
c. The inward witness or inward intuition can be described as either: a check, a red light, or a stop signal
for NO and a peace, an assurance, a go-ahead signal for YES.
d. Immature believers (and carnal people) tend to look for manifestations and the spectacular to lead them,
but the inward witness is just as supernatural as guidance through visions etc.
e. That inward witness will lead you into the will of God and the blessing of God. Many have become
millionaires, just by following their heart.
f. You know you are a child of God, not because someone prophesied it, or because you had a vision, or
because you feel like it, but because of that inward witness.
g. Some people are looking for outward signs to lead them:
• People put out fleeces like Gideon.
• Sometimes God will allow a fleece for a baby
Christian, but it is not His perfect will for you to
be led like this.
• Be careful you don’t get “fleeced” by the devil.
He can also maneuver your circumstances.

3. The Inward Voice

a. The spirit man has a voice, just as the physical man has a voice.
• The voice of the body is feelings.
• The voice of the soul is reason.
• The voice of the spirit is your conscience.
b. It is a still, small voice.
c. 1 John 3:20-21 NKJV says, “For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all
things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.”
d. You know when you have done something wrong—your own heart will tell you.
e. Listen to your heart—your conscience. Stay sensitive.

4. The Voice of the Holy Spirit

a. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter: our Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and
Standby.
b. When the Holy Spirit speaks, it is more authoritative. It might be so loud that you will think someone
near you said it. When God called Samuel, he thought it was Eli.
c. When the Holy Spirit directs you, it will always be in line with the Word of God.
d. If it does not line up with the Word of God, then it is not the Spirit of God.
e. God’s Word is His will; God’s Word is your plumb line.
f. Many people are doing crazy things under the guise of being led by the Spirit. They are not hearing
from God—they are listening to their head—their carnal mind—and being moved by circumstances.
Romans 8:6a AMP says, “Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit]
is death.”
g. Always judge what you hear. Ask yourself:
• Does this line up with the Word of God
• Does it glorify Jesus?
h. Make God’s Word your final authority.
i. Warning: Don’t go after voices to speak aloud to you. The devil may just accommodate you.
j. Paul listened to the voice of the Holy Spirit in Acts 27:9-10, when he warned them, saying, “Men, I
perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also
our lives.” Even though, they did not believe him, later, also by the Holy Spirit, he told them how they
would be saved and what to do to be saved from dying in the storm.
k. We must be controlled by, manipulated by, and stimulated by the Holy Spirit.
l. Let peace be your umpire (Colossians 3:15 AMP).