How can we seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in our daily decisions? Seeing the Spirit Move: Numbers 24 Verse 2 “ When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him.” — Numbers 24:2 Balaam’s eyes lift, his heart turns, and in that instant the Spirit of God rests on him. One verse, yet it teaches volumes about welcoming divine guidance for our own everyday choices. Lessons Hidden in Balaam’s Glance • Attention precedes inspiration. Balaam “looked up.” Our first act is to lift our focus from ourselves to what God is doing around us. • Alignment invites the Spirit. He saw Israel “encamped tribe by tribe” — a people ordered by God. When our lives are aligned with God’s revealed order, the Spirit’s leading comes naturally. • The initiative is God’s. “The Spirit of God came upon him.” We do not summon Him; we yield, and He graciously draws near. Heart Postures That Welcome Guidance • Reverent surrender — Romans 8:14, “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” • Eager expectation — Psalm 25:5, “For You I wait all day long.” • Undivided loyalty — Proverbs 3:5-6, trusting the Lord “with all your heart” clears space for His direction. • Obedient resolve — John 14:23-26 links loving obedience with the Spirit’s teaching ministry. Daily Practices for Spirit-Led Decisions 1. Begin by looking up • Start each morning with open Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17). • Invite the Spirit to illuminate what you read (1 Corinthians 2:12). 2. Listen before you list • Quiet moments of stillness (Psalm 46:10) before writing schedules or to-do lists. • Ask, “Lord, what is on Your agenda?” 3. Filter every option through Scripture • If a choice contradicts clear teaching, it is not from the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-17). 4. Stay in step throughout the day • Quick breath-prayers for guidance (Nehemiah 2:4). • Sensitivity to inner checks or prompts (Colossians 3:15). 5. Seek wise confirmation • Counsel from mature believers (Proverbs 15:22). • Consistency with God’s character and past leadings (Hebrews 13:8). Tests That Keep Us on Track • The Word Test — Does it align with the whole counsel of Scripture? • The Peace Test — Is Christ’s peace ruling in my heart? (Colossians 3:15) • The Fruit Test — Will this decision produce “love, joy, peace…”? (Galatians 5:22-23) • The Witness Test — Do trusted, Spirit-filled friends bear the same witness? (Acts 15:28) Walking It Out Live alert, eyes lifted like Balaam’s, hearts ordered like Israel’s camp, wills yielded so the Spirit can “come upon” each decision—large or small. When we cultivate attention, alignment, and surrender, we discover what Romans 12:2 promises: we “discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God,” guided every step by His indwelling Spirit. |
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