"How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture:
"He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
and as a lamb before the shearer is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.
Who can speak of his descendants?
For his life was taken from the earth."
The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?" Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. (Acts 8:31-35)
How do you know when the Spirit is involved in something? Listen to Scripture. Here the Ethiopian is reading a passage that includes a Messianic prophecy. (It's a passage int he Old Testament that talks about Jesus.) Philip immediately knew that the Spirit was leading this man through the Word, and he explained that to him. Since the Spirit inspired the Bible, he'll often use it to keep us grounded, teach us new things, and point others to Jesus. It's possible to misuse Scripture. But if we're familiar with the Word, then we should be able to recognize the real thing when we hear it. Staying in touch with Scripture is one of the best ways to accurately hear the voice of the Holy Spirit.
Has the Spirit ever taught you something through Scripture?
What was it?
Ask God to show you how to use Scripture to help others around you.
No comments:
Post a Comment