Spirit-given (Mt. 10:19) and Spirit-taught (1 Cor. 2:13) words are powerful and burn in the heart of those who notice them. Being Spirit-led involves noticing, obeying, and speaking Spirit-given and Spirit-taught words, however, those words are seldom popular.

Spirit-given and Spirit-taught words are much more common than people think because they’re often mistaken for mere human thoughts. As a short paragraph or phrase the Bible calls them either a word of knowledge or a word of wisdom. In longer sections they are called prophecy. The Bible says that Christ-followers “can all prophesy.” One reason that prophecy, words of knowledge, and words of wisdom appear rare is that Christians have been trained not to notice them and/or to quench the Spirit and shut them down.

Being Spirit-led isn’t a methodology; it’s a relationship of surrender to the living Jesus. If following other people’s model for Christianity shuts down the Holy Spirit, then it’s a hindrance, not a help!

Biblical Christianity isn’t about a system of theology, a religious institution, or an organized approach to God. It’s about being led by the Spirit. (Romans 8:14.) Christians need to begin to implement what the Holy Spirit shows them instead of merely following methods taught by people.

I love to find and read Christian books that are full of Spirit-given & Spirit-taught words that burn in my heart. After the Bible, I mostly find them in books by Christians who have graduated into glory and who had an intimate relationship with the risen Jesus while they were on earth. Some of my favorite, are John Wesley, Catherine and William Booth, Watchman Nee, Mother Theresa, Marie Curie, George Fox, Catholic mystics, and Orthodox Monks. I also love Jesus-lead-us gatherings where Christians meet to all listen to and obey the risen Jesus.