The Search for Significance

126 The Search For Significance
so we will understand the character and will of
God. As Paul told Timothy:
inspired by God and
"All Scripture is
profitable for teaching, for reproof, for
correction, and for training in righteousness,
that the man of God may be adequate,
equipped for every good work" (II
Timothy 3:16-17).
We also need to develop a sensitivity to the
Holy Spirit that goes beyond raw emotions. This
sensitivity is an awareness of His conviction of
sin, His leading to be kind to another person, His
prompting to share the gospel, etc. These Spirit-induced
impressions may correspond with what we
want to do, but instead, they may be antithetical
to what we feel like doing. The discernment of
whether the impression is of God or not comes
from two primary sources: the clear teaching of
the Scriptures and previous experiences of learning
to discern the leading of the Holy Spirit. If an
impression is from God, it will not violate Biblical
principles. Also, a person who has developed the
habit of being sensitive to God is more likely to
accurately discern the leading of God than someone
who is just beginning to develop a sensitivity
to the Lord.
One of the most helpful activities for developing
a moment by moment awareness of God is
thankfulness. Complaining may be much easier
and more natural, but it hardly focuses our attention
on Christ! Being thankful even in the midst
of difficulties rivets our attention on the Lord
and enables us to see His wisdom, sovereignty,
power, and love. That makes us more conscious of
His character and purposes, it promotes prayer,
and it makes us more sensitive to His Spirit's
prompting.