Lesson 66 – Spiritual Sensitivity

Text:

Exodus 40:33-35 KJV� And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work. �(34)� Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. �(35)� And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

Intro:

John 3:6 KJV� That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

One required character trait of all Christians, especially leaders, is that we must learn to be sensitive to the Spirit of God. God is a gentleman and does not force Himself on us or impose His will upon us. Rather, He gently leads us lovingly by His Spirit. Jesus introduced a powerful revelation to us that we must learn. Christians should understand how to distinguish the difference between �flesh� and �spirit� if we are to be successful at being sensitive to God�s Spirit.

Numbers 9:17 KJV� And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents.

Moses, a meek leader[1], discovered the importance of being sensitive to the moving of the Spirit. At times this trait made him a very unpopular man. The people constantly pressured him to operate as a deliverer rather than a leader. They were relentless in pushing him to disregard the direction of God or to be out of time with God�s purpose. Ultimately, it was pressure from others to disregard his spiritual sensitivity which cost him access to the promised land.

�If you are called to lead the symphony, you must turn your back on the crowd and face the music.�

Direction From the Spirit:

Isaiah 30:21 KJV� And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

Jesus said to his disciples that he would not leave them as orphans.[2] He was clear that the Holy Ghost would come as a teacher and a guide. Meaning, it is important for us to take direction from God�s Word and Spirit.

John 16:13 KJV� Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth:�..

God�s direction is seldom the direction we want to go. The route from Egypt to the promised land was not a direct route. That journey was designed by God to accomplish His purpose. It was not intended to be a pleasurable stroll that was comfortable for His people.

God�s design was for His people to develop the habit of looking to His Spirit each day for direction. Not just for clarity on the direction of the journey. They learned to trust God to supply direction for every need and situation. God still expects His people to follow that pattern. Otherwise, we will default to doing what feels good and requires nothing of us.

1 Kings 19:12 KJV� And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

God�s direction always aligns with His Word. He will never direct us to contradict what is recorded in the scriptures! God�s direction will always be in direct competition with many other things. The wishes of others and our own selfish desires must be dealt with before we can hear clear direction from God�s Spirit. When we are certain we have heard from God, we must be determined to follow those directions. Spiritual leaders have always faced the dilemma that God�s direction often involves doing things that are not easy to understand by us or others. Consider the spiritual sensitivity of a disciple named Ananias.

Acts 9:10-17 KJV� And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. �(11)� And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, �(12)� And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. �(13)� Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: �(14)� And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. �(15)� But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: �(16)� For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake. �(17)� And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

The Timing of the Spirit:

�God often conceals His will from us because He cannot trust us to respect His timing.�

God is a God of order. Being sensitive to God�s will and direction is only part of the equation. We must also know God�s timing. If we are continually being surprised by God, perhaps we need to learn the timing of the Spirit. Revival, miracles, and works of the Spirit are seldom done at convenient times or when we think they should happen.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 NASB� There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every matter under heaven�

Habakkuk 2:3 KJV� For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

Matthew 24:36 KJV� But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Respecting God�s timing requires spiritual sensitivity and discipline. We risk frustrating or counteracting what God is doing by not doing WHAT He wanted WHEN He wanted it. Consider that God commissioned Noah to build an Ark to avoid the destruction of the flood. It did not rain for decades though God said it would happen.

Conclusion:

Matthew 11:15 KJV� He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Being spiritually sensitive is allowing God to be God. Learn to know God�s voice and ask for His timing. Every message we preach, every action we take, and each decision we make must perfectly aligned with God�s direction and timing. May we learn to slow down and be certain it was God who spoke! May God grant us the boldness to do His will even when others do not understand or agree.