“FOLLOW THE PATTERN of the sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus; guard the truth that has been entrusted to you by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us” (2 Tim. 1:13–14). Here we find Paul’s prescription for being sound in the faith: (1) “Follow the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me”; (2) “Guard the truth that has been entrusted to you by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us”; (3) In both cases, whether from Paul or from the Holy Spirit within, test it all in the light of “the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” This last named is the touchstone—whether it comes from Paul or from the Holy Spirit within, it must be tested by “the faith and the love . . . in Christ Jesus.” If it rings true to Him, it is true; if it doesn’t, it is not true. Put up your question marks.
The center of the gospel is Jesus Christ, not Paul’s teaching or the teaching of the Holy Spirit within. Both have to be brought to the judgment bar of Christ. We follow Paul as Paul follows Christ. We follow the Holy Spirit within if the Holy Spirit within points toward Jesus. If it points some other way it is some other spirit—not the Holy Spirit. “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth; for he will not speak on his own authority. . . . He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you” (John 16:13–14). “I was in the Spirit, and lo, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne!” (Rev. 4:2). When we are in the Spirit we are not free to act and think and go where we will; there is a throne to which we must be subservient and obedient.
We follow good people and we follow the inner guidance of the Holy Spirit, but only as they follow “the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” Note: faith and love—both, for we may hold the faith unlovingly.
O Spirit of God, teach me to discern between Thy voice and the voice of my subconscious desires. May I be so attuned to Jesus that the discernment may be easy and immediate. This is my growing point. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: I follow the guidance of the Spirit only as the guidance of the Spirit follows the mind and spirit of Christ.
