If you…remember that your brother has something against you… —Matthew 5:23
“This verse says, “If you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you….” It is not saying, “If you search and find something because of your unbalanced sensitivity,” but, “If you…remember….” In other words, if something is brought to your conscious mind by the Spirit of God— “First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:24). Never object to the intense sensitivity of the Spirit of God in you when He is instructing you down to the smallest detail. Jesus does not mention the other person— He says for you to go. It is not a matter of your rights. The true mark of the saint is that he can waive his own rights and obey the Lord Jesus. The process of reconciliation is clearly marked. First we have the heroic spirit of self-sacrifice, then the sudden restraint by the sensitivity of the Holy Spirit, and then we are stopped at the point of our conviction. This is followed by obedience to the Word of God.” - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest
Has the Spirit of God ever spoken about something to you that was contrary to what you wanted to do? The Spirit's voice is not audible. It is more of a realization or impression. You know that you know but you don't know why you know. You know? If you are born again and therefore have been sealed by the Spirit, I am certain He has. Why does He need to speak to us? Because we tend to follow the ways of the flesh. The Spirit convicts us of sin, which is to say we are living or doing in a way that is contrary to the nature of God and our new nature. Jesus said of the Holy Spirit ...
It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment - John 16:7-8
That conviction is actually a good thing - even though it makes us uncomfortable. It should actually. The question is, “How do you respond when He speaks?” Do you say “yes Lord”? Or do you “turn the music up to drown out His voice” because you don’t want to do the very thing He is saying – do?
The Bible calls that quenching the Spirit or putting the fire out. Oh Saint, this life we live in the flesh we live by faith.
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. - Galatians 2:20
God will always prompt you to obedience. By His Spirit, He will challenge you to deal with those things that hinder your unfettered relationship with Him. You cannot offer anything that is acceptable to God if you do not have “clean hands and a clean heart”.
Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the LORD, And righteousness from the God of his salvation. - Psalm 24:3-5
If you choose to ignore the prompting of the Spirit you are doing nothing more than practicing vain religion. Praising God with your lips while your heart is far from Him. (Matthew 15:8) You might as well be watching TV for all of the spiritual good that is being derived! We are a stubborn lot. Holding on to attitudes and habits that are clearly contrary to who we are in Christ. Listen, you are not alone in this struggle. But God has given you the power to overcome, and the means to live in victory. You must yield your life to the leading of the Spirit and then pick up your cross daily. That requires faith and that comes from God.
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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