Eph.5:17- Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the Will of the Lord is.---NKJV
Bible study and a solid prayer life go together. In our devotion to God through Jesus Christ, we pray for discernment, that is, the capacity to recognize God's desired Will for His people. Divine guidance differs with regard to a Christian's vocation, selection of spouse, and so forth. But, there are clear guidelines in Scripture for essential Christian thinking and conduct to be sought after by all true believers.
The guidance of the Holy Spirit is in line with the Written Word of God. To put it another way: the Holy Spirit's guidance is never in opposition to the Gospel of Christ. Thus, praying for discernment affirms and adheres to those worldviews and practices agreeable to God's Word.
Here's a true story: In the 1990s, three sisters were arrested in Lansing, Michigan for a bizarre crime. These women had removed their clothes, smeared themselves with mustard and were riding around in a stolen van. They claimed they were reading the Bible when the Holy Spirit spoke to them. They took off their clothes, having read that in the Garden of Eden Adam and Eve were naked. They skimmed the parable in Mark 4:30-32 about a grain of mustard seed, and so they lathered on mustard. The stolen van, though, had no Biblical explanation. These women claimed they were under the direction of the Holy Spirit, but their behavior had nothing to do with the Holy Spirit's guiding them in the pure things of Christ.
Paul instructed Ephesian Christians to understand what the Will of the Lord is. The Holy Spirit will not steer obedient Christians into behaviors that conflict with Scripture and thus dishonor Christ. Therefore, the suitable approach to prayer is one of submission to the desired Will of God, in honor of Jesus, the sinless Son of God.
"Prayer is the soul's sincere desire Unuttered or expressed;
The motion of a hidden fire That trembles in the breast.
Prayer is the simplest form of speech that children's lips can try;
Prayer the sublimest strains that reach The Majesty on high.
Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice, Returning from his ways,
While angels in their songs rejoice And cry, 'Behold! He prays!'
O Thou by whom we come to God, The Life, the Truth, The way;
The path of prayer Thyself hast trod; Lord, teach us how to pray!"
---James Montgomery
Bible study and a solid prayer life go together. In our devotion to God through Jesus Christ, we pray for discernment, that is, the capacity to recognize God's desired Will for His people. Divine guidance differs with regard to a Christian's vocation, selection of spouse, and so forth. But, there are clear guidelines in Scripture for essential Christian thinking and conduct to be sought after by all true believers.
The guidance of the Holy Spirit is in line with the Written Word of God. To put it another way: the Holy Spirit's guidance is never in opposition to the Gospel of Christ. Thus, praying for discernment affirms and adheres to those worldviews and practices agreeable to God's Word.
Here's a true story: In the 1990s, three sisters were arrested in Lansing, Michigan for a bizarre crime. These women had removed their clothes, smeared themselves with mustard and were riding around in a stolen van. They claimed they were reading the Bible when the Holy Spirit spoke to them. They took off their clothes, having read that in the Garden of Eden Adam and Eve were naked. They skimmed the parable in Mark 4:30-32 about a grain of mustard seed, and so they lathered on mustard. The stolen van, though, had no Biblical explanation. These women claimed they were under the direction of the Holy Spirit, but their behavior had nothing to do with the Holy Spirit's guiding them in the pure things of Christ.
Paul instructed Ephesian Christians to understand what the Will of the Lord is. The Holy Spirit will not steer obedient Christians into behaviors that conflict with Scripture and thus dishonor Christ. Therefore, the suitable approach to prayer is one of submission to the desired Will of God, in honor of Jesus, the sinless Son of God.
"Prayer is the soul's sincere desire Unuttered or expressed;
The motion of a hidden fire That trembles in the breast.
Prayer is the simplest form of speech that children's lips can try;
Prayer the sublimest strains that reach The Majesty on high.
Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice, Returning from his ways,
While angels in their songs rejoice And cry, 'Behold! He prays!'
O Thou by whom we come to God, The Life, the Truth, The way;
The path of prayer Thyself hast trod; Lord, teach us how to pray!"
---James Montgomery
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