For years I struggled financially trying to provide for my family of five. After almost two decades, failure had really started to get in my heart. I paid my ties faithfully and even was faithful in first fruits and offering, yet I struggled.
Holy Spirit started teaching me about a higher reality for financial freedom, how children of God could walk in inheritance. It seemed that no one else was talking about how we partake of the inheritance that Jesus earned.
Deuteronomy 28:1-2 NKJV – Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. 2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God:
This chapter goes on and on listing the blessings that come upon the obedient. It is very similar to when Jesus says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33 NKJV
Holy Spirit started teaching me that Jesus had fulfilled the requirements of Deuteronomy 28 and now we can receive the inheritance that he never cashed in on. The blessings of Deuteronomy 28 come only upon those who perfectly kept the whole law. The only one who is ever able to do that was Jesus. That means all the blessings of Deuteronomy 28 belong to Jesus alone… and anyone he shares it with. Holy Spirit was saying that if I seek the righteousness that Jesus gives, the righteousness that comes by faith, and if I lay down selfishness and self-seeking, then I get to access the blessings of Deuteronomy 28 through Jesus.
You can imagine that this was a hard pill to swallow. My life was evidence that I was not living in the blessing, regardless of how much I sowed. Struggling to provide as a father is a very difficult thing. Men take very personal their responsibility to provide. My wife and I remained deeply in love, but as you can imagine, she was dissatisfied with how we lived, just as much as I was.
Despite the fact that Holy Spirit was sharing this revelation, I was unable to understand it. So, I continued to struggle for years. All my children were born on Medicaid. We had to use food stamps. At one point, we were force to file for bankruptcy, because I couldn’t afford the payments on the house that we had bought with government assistance.
When we moved to South Carolina, I was still struggling. We went through five cars in two years, lost three engines, and we were almost evicted out of an apartment. I would go to the revival meetings at our local church and cry out to God for help. In these times of frustration, Holy Spirit would whisper, “you are anointed with the blessing,” and “you are mantle with the blessing.” I would respond back by telling him that this was not what I saw. I know the voice of God. And I was confident that I was hearing him correctly, yet still I struggled with what he said.
The Holy Spirit began confronting me with the insecurities I had been carrying. He began talking to me about an identity I had that said I was unlovable and unwanted. He confronted those identities over and over again and challenged me to reject them. Holy Spirit was teaching me to think like a son rather than a failure.
One day everything he had been saying just finally clicked into place in my heart. I was finally settled. Our financial situation began to change almost overnight. It was like a light switch went off in our finances and suddenly everything started working. The cars we had stopped breaking down and we were able to buy new ones. My income started to increase as I changed to a new job. And I was promoted quickly.
Today, my income has quadrupled. We find constant favor upon us. In six months, my wife and I were able to save over $15,000 and buy a new house for our maturing family. We found favor in our careers, in the housing market, and the cars we bought.
I really do feel as if all these things have been added to us after I accepted his righteousness.
The benefit of a new teacher
Matthew 23:8,10-11 NKJV – But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. [10] And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. [11] But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.
This word “Teacher” is recognized to mean “personal tutor” by many scholars. On Tyndale’s website is an article explaining how scholars came to understand this word’s origin. They use an old Greek manuscript which tells the story of a struggling teenager who is writing his father to explain how he had gone about fixing his lack of academic success. He has hired a teacher to be his personal tutor because he can no longer afford to attend classes. So, this word that Jesus is using to describe himself is not that he is a teacher of the masses, but rather, he is a private tutor.
In Matthew 23, Jesus is exposing the arrogance of the pharisees and Sadducees, who love to have positions of power, and be recognized by their titles. In these two verses, Jesus is telling his disciples that they don’t have to go to a special college and get a degree in order to understand scripture or the things of God. Jesus is saying, “I’ll be your personal tutor.” He’s also saying that they don’t have to hire a private tutor in order to help them understand the way the kingdom of God works because he would be their own personal tutor.
The disciples understood this clearly because they had been experiencing it repeatedly while living and walking with Jesus. They got to watch how he loved. They got to ask him questions when they were confused or failed. And now Jesus was eliminating the concern that they did not know enough in order to function in power and follow in His steps. He is quite literally saying that he will take them by the hand and personally teach them all the things they need to be successful. And this wasn’t going to change.
Imagine with me. Imagine that Jesus moved into the house next-door to you. One day he shows up on your front porch, with a pie in hand, and says, “I have decided to take you under my wing and teach you how to live like me. I’m going to teach you how to live holy. I’m going to teach you how to heal the sick and bring deliverance. And I’m going to be your best friend.” This is exactly what the disciples had. And now he is telling them that they never have to look to someone else because he will stay their private personal tutor.
They do not know this yet, but he’s going to leave the ministry in their hands, so these statements become a promise that his position as teacher won’t change just because he leaves.
Matthew 28:20 NKJV – teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
With Jesus about to leave, how does He intend to keep this promise?
He is going to place His Spirit inside them and upon them. And Holy Spirit will now teach them the exact same way that Jesus has been teaching them.
John 14:16-17 NKJV – And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever- [17] the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
John 16:12-13,15 NKJV – “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. [13] However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. [15] All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore, I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.
Being able to interact with Holy Spirit, just the same way I would interact with Jesus, has brought tremendous transformation in my life. Very few Christians have taken advantage of the personal tutoring of the Holy Spirit, preferring to interact with other human beings, rather than the Spirit of Jesus. My experiences with Holy Spirit are just as profound as if Jesus was living next door. The friendship, comfort, and fulfillment that comes from our many conversations has produced a lasting peace within my soul.
Interpreter of Scripture
The Holy Spirit’s job is to teach. He takes the things that belong to Jesus and declares them to us, so that we might look like Jesus.
John 16:12-14 NKJV – “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. [13] However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. [14] He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.
Notice in the first verse here, how the Holy Spirit is being sent as a replacement for Jesus our teacher. Also noticed that there are some spiritual truth that Jesus did not teach the disciples or the apostles. There are some truths that he left for the Spirit of Truth to teach. Notice also that it says that Holy Spirit speaks. The difference between a college professor and a personal tutor is the amount of time they spend one on one. A personal tutor will develop a very interactive and personal relationship with their students. A college professor has very little capacity to comfort, or deal with personal questions or objections. But a personal tutor can deal with all this and much more.
Holy Spirit is so much better than a personal tutor. Not only is he able to deal with our personal struggles and questions, but he’s able to impart transformation into our emotions. Not only is he able to answer our questions but he’s able to speak so clearly that with a single picture or word, he is able to communicate in multiple dimensions. The disciples were often confused by the things Jesus said. But when Holy Spirit speaks, it often comes as a wave of fully realized ideas. His voice always carries with it a demonstration of love as he speaks to our inner man – strengthening us and quickening our faith.
1 Corinthians 2:11-15 NKJV – For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. [12] Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. [13] These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. [14] But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. [15] But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.
If you read the Bible and you start to see what you think is a revelation from God, how do you confirm that it was God and not your understanding?
Conversely, if you’re in prayer and you think you hear God saying something to you that is a new revelation, how do you verify that you were hearing God correctly and not just imagining it?
In both these cases, you could be leaning upon your own understanding, and think you’re hearing from God. So, we must have a way to validate that what we are receiving is actually from the Lord and not just us leaning on our own understanding.
This is why building a strong relationship with Holy Spirit is so important. We must become familiar with who he is and how he speaks. We must know him. He trains us to discern by the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:13-14 NKJV – These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. [14] But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Problems with exegesis
From the Britannica website under “exegesis”:
“Both Jews and Christians have used various exegetical methods throughout their history, and doctrinal and polemical intentions have often influenced interpretive results; a given text may yield a number of very different interpretations according to the exegetical presuppositions and techniques applied to it. The study of these methodological principles themselves constitutes the field of hermeneutics.”
You can see that the encyclopedia Britannica has acknowledged that presupposition influences interpretation. The only way to know that an interpretation is right is to ask the author. In this case the author is Holy Spirit. In order to know that a particular understanding of scripture is not just human wisdom base on human presuppositions, but rather is from the Lord, the Holy Spirit must answer the question, “did I get this right?”
We must have a relationship with Holy Spirit in order to validate that our understanding is correct. This is the only way we can know for sure that our carnal mind, and our fallen state, has not influenced our interpretation. It is not enough to have a multitude of our favorite ministers, saying the same thing, or to think that a certain theology feels right. When we say that theology feels right, we’re actually saying that we trust our heart to discern the truth. This is not Christianity.
Proverbs 3:3-8 NKJV – Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, [4] And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man. [5] Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; [6] In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. [7] Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. [8] It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.
This passage is famous in churches. “Lean not on your own understanding.” How do we practically do this unless we have a way to gain an understanding that is outside of ourselves? Jesus is advocating for the view that Holy Spirit should be your teacher.
In order to experience the benefit of Holy Spirit as a teacher, we must reject the idea that he is some unspecified force that is somehow directing our understanding to what is correct. As stated previously, this idea has led to division in the church, and many pastors claiming that they have the right understanding yet arguing with their brothers. They can’t all be right.
The Holy Spirit has a voice, and, as Jesus said “my sheep hear my voice.” If Holy Spirit is Lord, then we must hear his voice.
The biggest problem with exegesis is that so many Christians trusted it more than the voice of God, without even realizing that their exegesis is built on their own personal assumptions. Modern exegesis will ask you to compare scripture with scripture, and let scripture interpret scripture. But very few who are pushing exegesis as the method are willing to acknowledge the problem of presupposition and assumption. Exegesis that is not submitted to the authority of Holy Spirit has the unintended consequence of being merely human understanding. And this perfectly explains the division that occurs in churches that are not influenced by Holy Spirit. This is the problem that exegesis has when we are not surrendered to the higher authority, the Holy Spirit, the author of scripture.
Instead, we must yield to Holy Spirit, and allow him to be the one who leads and guide us into all truth, as Jesus said he would (John 16:13). Exegesis should not be trusted to guide us into all truth, Holy Spirit is the only one given that right. Exegesis is not inherently evil, in fact, it works quite well for a vast majority of topics. But it is not the method of training that Jesus has prescribed. He has given us the Holy Spirit, specifically, so we can be taught by God himself.
John 5:37-40 NKJV – And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. [38] But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. [39] You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. [40] But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.
In this scripture, we see Jesus comparing the fruit of those who search scripture, chasing life, versus those who have had experiences with God, hearing his voice. These men of great learning would come to the wrong conclusions because they made scripture more important than receiving from God.
Hebrews 4:7-10 NKJV – again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.” [8] For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. [9] There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. [10] For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.
One of the best ways to know that you were actually hearing God, and not just leaning upon your own interpretation of scripture and your own understanding, is the level of rest that comes into your life as you yield to what you hear. Hearing the voice of God and letting it penetrate your heart is directly tied to the rest that God has promised his Saints.
By now you probably should have noticed that most of what we’re talking about when it comes to letting God teach you is based upon experiencing God rather than just reading scripture and praying toward God. We are instructed throughout the New Testament to know God. To really know him. The Greek word that is used is “ginōskō”, which means to have an intimate understanding of someone because of your experiences with them. It is a Jewish idiom for sexual intercourse.
Most people search for people who agree with their position as if finding people who agree will validate truth. If you want to know that you are actually receiving from God, then let it be established by two or three witnesses who have received the same thing, rather than by chasing agreement. Ask God to confirm what you receive.
Matthew 10:24-25 NKJV – [24] “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. [25] It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master…
By making Holy Spirit your teacher, you take the limits off of the maturity you can experience in Christ. If scripture is the teacher, then you will be limited by your own understanding. If men are the teacher, then their limitations will also limit you. But if Holy Spirit is your teacher, then you will start to believe that becoming like Jesus is truly possible.
Scripture must be discerned by the Spirit, otherwise we will miss the mysteries of God. Holy Spirit often uses scripture to confirm what he whispers into your heart. He is the author of all scripture, and he does not change. Let the Spirit of God unveil scripture.
1 Corinthians 2:13-14 NKJV – These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. [14] But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Spiritual reality cannot be understood nor conceived of by the nature mind without the Spirit teaching us. They have to be discerned by the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:7,9-12 NKJV – But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, [9] But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” [10] But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. [11] For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. [12] Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.
It is only by allowing Holy Spirit to be our personal tutor that we can correctly discern the truths of the Bible. The Holy Spirit will never contradict scripture, but he often will contradict our understanding of scripture. This is how we mature into the things of God. Until we surrender our beliefs to his authority, we will remain immature in spiritual matters.
Those who actively hear the voice of Holy Spirit and have verified that they are discerning HIS voice correctly will have access to all truth and will be able to understand the mysteries hidden in scripture. God will unveil truth for them. Such people are a treasure and the nature of God has become their fountain and their delight.
The Road to Emmaus
After Jesus’s resurrection, he started showing up to different people, and revealing himself as the resurrected Messiah. Luke 24 is a story of one of these occasions. Two of his disciples were walking along the road sorrowfully and discussing the strange events of recent days. They had just witnessed that Jesus’s tomb was empty. Without revealing to them that he was Jesus, he catches up to them, and begins to ask them what they were talking about. His response to them is fascinating.
Luke 24:25-27 NKJV – Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! [26] Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” [27] And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
I want you to see how Jesus has gone out of his way to meet with these two men. But beyond that, you see him explaining in great detail all the scriptures that are related to his coming and dying. These two men are not noted to be anything great in the New Testament, but Jesus took the time to make sure they fully understood who he was, probably because he saw their hunger.
Many men of God throughout church history would’ve given their right arm to have this kind of encounter with Jesus. And yet Jesus has declared that this is exactly who Holy Spirit will be for us if we don’t neglect him.
John 14:21,23,26 NKJV – He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” [23] Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. [26] 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 things that I said to you.
John 14:26 NKJV – But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things…
The Spirit of Jesus loves to teach. I know this because Jesus loved to teach. God is eager to take you under his wing and personally teach you. Holy Spirit will teach you as much as you let him. His school is a voluntary one. If you show up to class, then he is ready when you are. Choosing to let Holy Spirit teach you us better than letting life teach you. He will teach you to be an over-comer just like Jesus. His doors are open and he is willing to teach all who put their trust in Jesus and make him Lord.