The Heart—The Candle of the Lord
By: Pastors Rodney & Adonica Howard-BrownePublish date: 01/04/2020
Foundations of My Faith - The Heart—The Candle of the Lord
Foundation Scriptures:
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 AMPC
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.
b. The AMPC 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.”
c. The spirit of man—the heart—is the lamp of the Lord.
d. This means that God will lead you by His Spirit in your spirit.
e. Only when your heart is right and pure, can you trust what your heart is telling you.
f. Only then can you clearly hear and surely trust the Spirit’s leading and guidance through your spirit.
g. How God speaks to you:
i. His Word.
ii. Still small voice.
iii. Confirmation through two or three witnesses.
iv. Dreams, visions, or 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.
b. They needed the guidance of a prophet.
c. Under the New Covenant, God lives in US.
d. We are sons of God, led by the Spirit of God.
e. 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.
f. 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.
g. That inward witness will lead you into the will of God and the blessing of God.
h. Many have become prosperous, just by following their heart.
i. 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.
j. Some people are looking for outward signs to lead them and may put out “fleeces,” like Gideon.
k. Sometimes God will allow a fleece for a baby Christian, but it is not His perfect will for you to be led like this.
l. Be careful you don’t get “fleeced” by the devil because he can also manipulate your circumstances.
3. The Inward Voice.
a. The spirit man has a voice, just as the physical man has a voice.
i. The voice of the body is feelings.
ii. The voice of the soul is reason.
iii. The voice of the spirit is your conscience.
b. It is a still, small voice.
c. 1 John 3:20-21 NKJV — “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. Stay sensitive—listen to your heart—your conscience.
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.
c. It might be so loud that you will think someone near you said it.
d. When God called Samuel, he thought it was Eli.
e. When the Holy Spirit directs you, it will always be in line with the Word of God (John 16:13-14).
f. If it does not line up with the Word of God, then it is not the Spirit of God.
g. God’s Word is His will; God’s Word is your plumb line.
h. Many people are doing crazy things under the guise of being led by the Spirit.
i. They are not hearing from God—they are listening to their head—their carnal mind—and being moved by circumstances.
j. Romans 8:6a AMPC says, “Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death.”
k. Always judge what you hear. Ask yourself:
i. Does this line up with the Word of God?
ii. Does it glorify Jesus?
l. Make God’s Word your final authority.
m. Warning: Don’t go after voices to speak aloud to you; the devil may just accommodate you.
n. 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.”
o. 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.
p. We must be controlled by, manipulated by, and stimulated by the Holy Spirit.
q. Let peace be your umpire (Colossians 3:15 AMPC).
r. Follow the peace, and don’t do anything if you feel a scratchy feeling in your spirit.
5. Five Things You Need to Do to Train and Develop Your Human Spirit.
a. Give the Word of God first place in your life (Proverbs 4:20).
b. Meditate in the Word (Joshua 1:8).
c. Practice the Word. Be a doer of the Word (James 1:22).
d. Pray in the Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:14-15).
e. Decide to instantly obey the voice of the Holy Spirit in your spirit.