SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1181

“Teach Me Your Paths”

Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. – Psalm 25:4

Consider for a moment the enormity of all the decisions you have made in your lifetime. Some were good, others resulted in failure. Some were made in haste with worldly thinking and others were entered into through an unceasing prayer atmosphere.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

As we grow in maturity in our Christian walk, we should be increasingly attuned and obedient to the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

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. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. – John 14:26 – Psalm 119:105

God speaks to us – teaches us – in various ways, even in our sleep.

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. – Psalm 16:7; 32:8

Do you have a teachable spirit? Oftentimes we have a preconceived idea as to which path we want to take and how we will get there. We ask the Lord for direction while what we are really doing is asking Him to put His stamp of approval on our worldly plans. When the Lord directs us in a different direction, we are in danger of rejecting His teaching and going our own way.

Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. They have turned to me their back and not their face. And though I have taught them persistently, they have not listened to receive instruction.- Luke 6:46 – Isaiah 55:8 – Jeremiah 32:33

What crossroad are you currently facing? What major life decision is before you? Do not act in haste but take the decision before the Lord in an atmosphere of prayer.

1. Pray continually. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you discern the ministry aspects of the decision vs. its worldly attraction.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way – Proverbs 14:8 – James 1:5

Who is the man who fears the Lord? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. – Psalm 25:12

• Pray for a teachable, trusting, and obedient spirit.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. – Proverbs 3:5-6

• Seek biblically based counsel. The Lord sometimes speaks to us through the Body of Christ.

Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. – Proverbs 19:20; 15:22

• With spiritual discernment weigh all the counsel with Scripture and what you hear God speaking to your heart and commit your decision and path to the Lord. Give it to Him for His glory.

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. – Proverbs 16:3

Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go. – Isaiah 48:17

May you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:18)

May the Holy Spirit teach you and guide you in all your life decisions as you walk with Him along the perfect path and plan He has for you.