God the Holy Spirit, Mentor's Guide, MG14

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G O D T H E H O L Y S P I R I T

The Role of the Holy Spirit in Spiritual Guidance (continued)

D. John 14.25-26 (ESV) - These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. [26] But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

E. John 16.13 (ESV) - When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

F. Acts 16.7-8 (ESV) - And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. [8] So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas (cf. Acts 20.22-23).

II. Why is the Guidance of the Holy Spirit so important?

Christian, then, recognizes that when faced with the alternatives of good and evil, there is no choice; one must do good. But the greater challenge comes when we are faced with multiple alternatives that are all morally good. The question then becomes, which is the good to which God is calling me? And the good then becomes the enemy of the best, since it is quite possible for us to fill our days doing good things but neglecting the one thing that we must do and to which we are called. . . .Every choice is then both a yes and a no. . .If I take on this assignment or this job, it means saying no to other opportunities. If I choose to spend my day in this way, it means I am saying no to other activities that might have filled my day. And surely this is what makes decisions making a challenge: we cannot be everywhere and we cannot do everything. There are many good things that we might do, and we cannot do them all. Again, this would be a terrifying and impossible burden were it not for the providential care of God. He is a God who is present and alive in all that is–the land, the sea, and the sky–but also a God who is personally present in each one of us. We are not alone! This is exceedingly good news. . . .When we make a choice, the Spirit is with us. Indeed we speak of God as Shepherd, that is, as one who guides (Ps. 23). And we experience this guidance most keenly in our times of choosing. Still, our decision making is our responsibility; it is our act of choosing in response to the options, problems, and opportunities that are placed before us. God does not choose for us, and