Recently a grace teacher of note wrote in his newly released book that it is quite possible to hear the words of Jesus and not hear what the Holy Spirit is saying ...
Gulp ...
What?
Well, it is true because so did Judas and the Pharisees and a host of many others.
The writer of the book explains that it is actually easy. It is a choice between earthly and heavenly wisdom. The earthly originates in our minds, while the latter originates from the Spirit. Getting a to-do-list when reading the Bible shows an earthly origin, while a revelation of the goodness and love of Jesus shows a Spiritual origin.
Amen to that!
Why am I quoting another Grace teacher?
Because this is exactly what the Holy Spirit had been teaching me on.
Solomon made a profound statement when he said The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. Pro 12:15
Remember our post on hearken?
Let's go to the Hebrew word used here for counsel in the verse above. The word is êtsâh or עצה - plan; or prudence: advice, advisement, counsel (-lor), purpose.
The Hebrew root word for counsel is yâ‛ats or יעץ - meaning to advise, consult, to counsel (-lor), to determine, to guide, to purpose.
A picture is worth a thousand words?
The pictograph reads the Hand perceived caught.
Do you see the Holy Spirit in the actual word used?
When the Hebrew letter Hey (ה) is added to the Hebrew root word we get the Counselor.
The pictograph with Hey added now reads perceived caught revealed (the Holy Spirit).
It is the work of the Counselor to counsel
Remember this post on how close the Counselor really is and this one on Teaching us. What about this post on the former and latter Rain?
Lean on Him
Didn't the very same Solomon also say in all his wisdom to trust in the LORD with all thine heart;
and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him,
and he shall direct thy paths.
Be not wise in thine own eyes:
fear the LORD, and depart from evil. Pro 3:5-7
Hearing God's Word by His Spirit
True understanding comes only from hearing the êtsâh, the Counselor Himself.
Jesus promised and delivered on His promise when He said I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth (the Counselor), is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. Joh 16:12-13
The Counselor can not speak of anything contrary to the nature of God being merciful and gracious, patient, abounding in goodness and truth. He is God. He is agape love, exactly like Jesus ... the Spirit of Jesus.
... as apposed to ...
Hearing yourself. Thinking I have to do and earn my righteousness and right-standing with God.
Own works? Own understanding? Own plans?
... no revelation of the Hand - Jesus.
... no revelation of understanding of God's plan.
... the way of the fool!