Lesson 152 – When the Spirit Is Left Out of Your Plans

Isaiah 30:1

"Woe to the rebellious children, says the Lord. Who take counsel, but not of Me, and who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, that they may add sin to sin."

I dare say this is one area believers find themselves in just as much hot water as did Israel more than 2,800 years back in history. Whenever we make our plans by our own counsel, leaving out the Holy Spirit, we are adding sin to sin, regardless of the wisdom of our decisions.

Let me explain. Planning as an exercise in itself is surely an amoral thing. Exercising the brain to figure things out is not a moral exercise at all, but a use of the skills the Lord has made possible and we've learned to use over time. But the trouble begins when a believer begins this exercise in planning without God's input. By leaving the Spirit out, we let God know we're not really interested in His wisdom nor direction.

Of course, none of us go around intentionally leaving God out, but quite frankly, neither do we go out of our way to seek the Lord's guidance, especially when we think we've already got things figured out. Don't believe it, just check out the content of your prayers. Most of the time, we only go to God when we think we need his intervention. The rest of the time, we've got things covered by our own ideas.

In Israel's case, the nation figured they had no chance against a stronger enemy, so they decided to bring in Egypt by treaty to help secure their borders. But in doing this, God says they added sin to sin. Not only were they trusting in one other than God alone for their security, it turns out that the attack they were under was of God's judgment. Essentially, Israel was going against God's will in resisting their own invasion. Sin became more sin when they failed to consult the Spirit.

Oh so often we do the same, deciding almost without thought to resist every trouble, push off every sacrifice, or agree to any direction which we perceive to bring more comfort in life. We automatically base our decisions on what is best for our families, career success, and our futures.

Instead, we're to seek the wisdom of the Spirit's touch. This gives God the glory in our life and will save us from adding sin to sin.

LORD JESUS

Lord, I thank you for the availability of your Spirit to direct my life. May I remember to take counsel of you in every aspect of my life. Amen.