In Need of a Guide

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. - John 16:13

What Guides You?

When I examine my heart with the question, more times than not, it seems like some inner system, a well of me.  Thoughts, reactions, ideas, responses, and more are drawn with very little effort … they just come up from the well of me.  How did they get in there? What put them there? Are they good?  The last question is easier: no, not all are good.

Another question:  What are the odds I have interpreted my life accurately?

If what guides me is a collection of conclusions, and for some (or even much) of my life I have concluded and interpreted inaccurately, then there are some falsehoods - lies in the well of me.

What if there was something outside of me that could guide me to the truth?  If Jesus was right,

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8:32)

A work must be done, and a guide must come.  The record shows I cannot do this on my own.  I must be shown, told, encouraged, taught, comforted, invited, and most of all loved to a new way.  And that is exactly what God determined that He would do … "I will help you."

My job?  To do what must be done when being guided:

  • Give the Spirit constant access, to the best of my ability. 
  • Give the Spirit my trust: that He is leading me, showing me, and teaching me the way. 
  • Give the Spirit my attention: to pay attention to what is coming up from the well in me, and discerning with Him what is good and what needs the exchange program.

It is the exchange of the lies that I have believed about myself, God, and others that must go.  I have found if I don’t see them, nothing changes.

If I ask the Guide for help, He shows me, and I can confess I believed the lie and turn it in for the truth.  Honestly, there are many times I have realized I was on auto pilot, and the pilot wasn’t good.  This false-self/flesh consists of a collection of lies that has me afraid, proving, and hiding.  None are good, and all are exchangeable IF I can walk with the Spirit and allow the Spirit to walk with me and transform the well of me.