BIBLICAL DOCTRINE OF ILLUMINATION - When God’s Word enters the heart of a person, it gives light and understanding to them - for this reason, we are repeatedly told to study the Word of God. Regular study of the Word of God will give direction and understanding in the issues of life - the Spirit of God will always point us to the Word of God for our instruction. As Jesus told His disciples, the Spirit simply repeats what the Father and the Son have already said - this repetition helps us remember and fully hear what God has already told us. Sometimes we have to hear things several times before we actually hear them - that’s where the Spirit comes in. Words have meaning, and we must pay attention to the details in those words. The Spirit of God, who enlightens us to hear and understand God’s Word, then takes that knowledge and guides us in living it - the illuminating and leading work of the Holy Spirit in our lives is a confirmation that we are indeed children of God - Illumination in the spiritual sense is “turning on the light” of understanding in some area. When that enlightenment deals with new knowledge or future things, we call it prophecy. When that enlightenment deals with understanding and applying knowledge already given, we call it illumination. The most basic level of enlightenment is the knowledge of sin, and without that knowledge, everything else is pointless. When God’s Word enters the heart of a person, it gives light and understanding to them.

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Biblical Doctrine Of Illumination
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When God’s Word enters the heart of a person, it gives light and understanding to them - for this reason, we are repeatedly told to study the Word of God. Regular study of the Word of God will give direction and understanding in the issues of life -  the Spirit of God will always point us to the Word of God for our instruction. As Jesus told His disciples, the Spirit simply repeats what the Father and the Son have already said - this repetition helps us remember and fully hear what God has already told us. Sometimes we have to hear things several times before we actually hear them - that’s where the Spirit comes in. Words have meaning, and we must pay attention to the details in those words. The Spirit of God, who enlightens us to hear and understand God’s Word, then takes that knowledge and guides us in living it - the illuminating and leading work of the Holy Spirit in our lives is a confirmation that we are indeed children of God

What is the biblical doctrine of illumination?

Got Questions Ministries

Simply put, illumination in the spiritual sense is “turning on the light” of understanding in some area.

Throughout the ages, people in every culture and religion have claimed some kind of revelation or enlightenment from God (whether true or not).

When that enlightenment deals with new knowledge or future things, we call it prophecy.

When that enlightenment deals with understanding and applying knowledge already given, we call it illumination.

Regarding illumination of the latter type, the question arises, “How does God do it?”

The most basic level of enlightenment is the knowledge of sin, and without that knowledge, everything else is pointless. 

Psalm 18:28 says, “You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.” 

Psalm 119, which is the longest chapter in the Bible, is a song about God’s Word.

In verse 130, it says “The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”

This verse establishes the basic method of God’s illumination.

When God’s Word enters the heart of a person, it gives light and understanding to them.

For this reason, we are repeatedly told to study the Word of God. 

Psalm 119:11 says “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

Verses 98 and 99 say “Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.”

Regular study of the Word of God will give direction and understanding in the issues of life.

This is the first method of God’s illumination and the starting point for us all.

In Psalm 119 we also find another type of God’s illumination.

Verse 18 says, “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.”

These are not new revelations, but things which have been written and revealed long before, and just now understood by the reader (one of those “aha!” moments).

Similarly, verse 73 says, “Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands.”

The plea is for personal understanding and application of God’s laws as they are studied by the individual.

Fifteen times in this psalm, God is asked to teach or give understanding regarding His laws.

One passage that sometimes stirs controversy regarding illumination is John 14:26, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

Jesus was speaking to His disciples in the upper room, giving them last instructions before His death.

This special group of men was to be responsible for spreading the good news of Jesus Christ to the whole world.

They had spent three and a half years with Him, watching His miracles and hearing His teachings.

They would relay those things to the rest of the world, and would need God’s special help remembering those things accurately.

Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would teach them and remind them of what had been said, so they could give it to others (including the writing of the Gospels).

This verse does not teach that the Spirit will do so with all believers (though there are other verses that speak of the Spirit’s illuminating work).

What is the Holy Spirit’s illuminating work in believers? 

Ephesians 1:17-18 tells us that the Spirit gives wisdom and revelation concerning Jesus Christ, and opens the eyes of understanding so we can know God’s purposes in our lives.

In 1 Corinthians 2:10-13, God has revealed His plans for us by His Spirit, who teaches us spiritual things.

The context here points to the Word of God as that which has been revealed.

The Spirit of God will always point us to the Word of God for our instruction.

As Jesus told His disciples in John 16:12-15, the Spirit simply repeats what the Father and the Son have already said.

This repetition helps us remember and fully hear what God has already told us.

Sometimes we have to hear things several times before we actually hear them. That’s where the Spirit comes in.

One thing that is sometimes overlooked in the discussion of illumination is the purpose of it.

To hear some arguments, it would seem that the whole purpose of illumination is an accurate and academic understanding of God’s Word.

There is no question that God desires us to accurately understand what He has given us.

Words have meaning, and we must pay attention to the details in those words.

If, however, we stop there, we simply have an academic understanding of facts or philosophies, which do no one any good. 

Going back to Psalm 119, we find purpose statements connected with the illumination verses.

“I will meditate on your wonders” (verse 27),

“I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart” (verse 34),

“that I may understand your statutes” (verse 125),

“that I may live” (verse 144).

The illumination always points to action.

Why does God help us understand His Word?

So, we are able to live in its light. 

First John 1:6 challenges us, “If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.”

We could paraphrase it to say, “If we say we’ve been enlightened, but still walk in the dark, we lie about understanding God’s Word.”

The Spirit of God, who enlightens us to hear and understand God’s Word, then takes that knowledge and guides us in living it. 

Romans 8:14 says “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”

The illuminating and leading work of the Holy Spirit in our lives is a confirmation that we are indeed children of God.

Got Questions Ministries seeks to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by providing biblical, applicable, and timely answers to spiritually related questions through an internet presence.
GotQuestions.org is a ministry of dedicated and trained servants who have a desire to assist others in their understanding of God, Scripture, salvation, and other spiritual topics. We are Christian, Protestant, evangelical, theologically conservative, and non-denominational. We view ourselves as a para-church ministry, coming alongside the church to help people find answers to their spiritually related questions.

https://www.gotquestions.org/biblical-illumination.html

THOSE AHA MOMENTS - The movement of God’s Spirit, like the wind, though unobservable, always accomplishes its intended purpose. When we place our petitions before God and we don't observe anything or the circumstances get worse, we assume that God is not answering our prayers. Often things need to get worse before they can get better. Like the wind, the moving of God’s Spirit is discerned by its effects, not by direct observation. The Holy Spirit can be active yet still be unseen and silent. We are finite and he (God) is infinite; and we with clay feet should never be judging one without any flaws. God hears and answers all our prayers. Sometimes he says yes or no, or more often, wait. We live by faith and not by sight.

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Can You See the Wind?

“those AHA moments”

Ken Barnes

"He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind, and who reveals his thoughts to mankind, who turns dawn to darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth — the Lord God Almighty is his name." Amos 4:13 (NIV)

In many of our spiritual struggles, it often seems like our pleas with God go unheeded.

The movement of God’s Spirit, like the wind, though unobservable, always accomplishes its intended purpose.

One day this fall, the pressures of life seemed to be encroaching increasingly upon me, and God appeared to be a bit hearing impaired. 

The wind was blowing briskly that day and the leaves were swirling around. I looked up and said, "God, you control the wind. Can you not control my circumstances?" 

A few minutes later, in my mind's eye, I imagined a conversation between the Lord and myself. 

The Lord started the conversation, "Did you see the wind?" 

"Yes, I see the leaves blowing."

Curiously, He asked the same question again, "Did you see the wind?"  

"Yes, I see the tree limbs swinging."

A third time the Lord started to speak, and it's as if he was saying, read my lips!

He repeated the same question. But this time I began to get the message.

It was one of those aha moments.

When we place our petitions before God and we don't observe anything or the circumstances get worse, we assume that God is not answering our prayers.

Often things need to get worse before they can get better. 

Like the wind, the moving of God’s Spirit is discerned by its effects, not by direct observation. 

The Holy Spirit can be active yet still be unseen and silent.

When I questioned the Lord's management of my problems, I was treading on shaky ground. I was saying that either he didn't care, or if he did, he was not able to do anything about it.

I was questioning two of the character traits of God, namely his goodness and his omnipotence. 

We are finite and he (God) is infinite; and we with clay feet should never be judging one without any flaws.

There was one further exchange between the Lord and myself.

The Lord's final retort was, "You, the finite, might want to be a little more careful in talking about the Infinite One."

He was very graciously saying, "Maybe you shouldn't talk about what you don't understand."

My reply was short, "Yes, Sir." 

God hears and answers all our prayers.

Sometimes he says yes or no, or more often, wait.

If he says no, he has a better plan than the one we have requested.

Remember, the Bible tells us that we live by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).

When things look the worst, God is often most at work.

The Lord sees and cares.

The Spirit of God is always active on our behalf, but like the wind is in many cases, beyond the comprehension of our temporal vision.

Can God change your life?

God has made it possible for you to know Him and experience an amazing change in your own life.

Discover how you can find peace with God. You can also send us your prayer requests.

Ken Barnes worked 17 years with Youth With A Mission as a school leader, recruiter, and a director. He holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Virginia Commonwealth University. He is the author of The Chicken Farm and Other Sacred Places, published by YWAM Publishing in 2010. Currently, he is a speaker, blogger, and freelance writer. Ken lives with his wife, Sharon in Mechanicsville, Virginia. 

https://www1.cbn.com/devotions/can-you-see-the-wind

KNOWING JESUS IS ETERNAL LIFE - “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” - The ONLY way we can even know God is through Jesus. He threw open the door to heaven and tore apart the veil to the holy of holies! By knowing Jesus, we have access to knowing God - that is eternal life. No matter where you are in your life, knowing Him is eternal life. We were made for it.

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Knowing Jesus Is Eternal Life

Now What?

Pauline Hylton

Ever had one of those “aha” moments with the Lord?

Probably.

I had one this morning. After several decades of being a Christian, the Lord gave me an earth-shattering, heaven-opening revelation.

It came from John 17:3, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”

In this passage, Jesus is with His beloved disciples for the last time before the crucifixion.

He has been preparing them and now He prays for them to His heavenly Father.

The disciples don’t get most of what He says to them… at least at that time.

After Christ’s death and resurrection, and especially after Pentecost when they receive the Holy Spirit do they really grasp all that Jesus said to them.

Look, I’m way over 50 so I’ve lived more than half of my life for sure.

I’m on the proverbial other side of the hill, and yet I am still beginning to understand an inkling of what God is like and what my life should look like.

As I look back, much of my time has been spent just existing. Paying bills, raising kids, working, serving, without much intentional thought.

Not that those things aren’t important. They are. It’s just that they need to have a context.

As I think about it, if I had the most important thing first, all those other important roles and jobs would have been clearer and more effective.

Now I’m at a turning point. My kids are grown and the parents who lived with me for over 14 years have gone to be with the Lord.

I’ve been trying to get a job, but haven’t been successful.

"Now what?" keeps ringing in my ears.

The answer came this morning — know Him.

It’s not that I hadn’t read that verse before, only this morning when I read it; I understood the significance of those words. At least for this stage of my life.

Let me put it this way — think of the person you know the best. I’m thinking of my sweet husband.

We will celebrate 35 years in September. I know him better than anyone on this earth.

I can tell when he is frustrated and I know what gives him great joy. But often when I ask him what he’s thinking about, he comes up with something I couldn’t have ever guessed.

The fact is, I don’t know what he is thinking because I don’t really know everything about him. For instance, I’m not sure of his favorite color. (Not that it matters.)

I could spend five years talking with him and not know everything about him.

Now think about God.

Think some more.

How about asking Him how He created the bumblebee? That would take a while.

Or, ask Him about the laws of physics. (Some of us could have eternity and never understand it.)

What if we asked Him when He was the most pleased, or the angriest, or the saddest?

The ONLY way we can even know God is through Jesus. He threw open the door to heaven and tore apart the veil to the holy of holies!

By knowing Jesus, we have access to knowing God.

And John 17:3 says that is eternal life.

That is my now what.

No matter where you are in your life, whether you are in school or in a nursing home, knowing Him is eternal life. We were made for it.

Let me finish with a prayer from the Apostle Paul. I really like the Holman’s Bible translation:

“I want to know Christ — yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” Philippians 3:10-11

So my dear brother and sister in Christ, get a head start on knowing Him. Because that is eternal life, and really, that is true life now.

Can God change your life?

God has made it possible for you to know Him and experience an amazing change in your own life. Discover how you can find peace with God. You can also send us your prayer requests.

Pauline Hylton is a freelance writer and exhausted farmer who lives outside of Mayberry on an old tobacco farm. She and her husband Tom tried farming full time, but ran out of back. Now Tom works, and Pauline stays home and eats dark chocolate. She has company: a standard poodle, two mutts, a lion-kitty, and a whole “mess” of chickens. Oh yeah, and there’s Molly, the great Pyrenees guards the chickens 24/7, and she’s good at it.

When she doesn’t eat one.

Pauline’s looking toward heaven, while laughing on earth.

She loves her Lord, her family, and dark chocolate—not necessarily in that order.

Pauline's book Growing in Christ From the Ground Up (releases July 30, 2019) chronicles her years as a mediocre farmer teaching her that true growth comes from the inside.

https://www1.cbn.com/devotions/now-what-knowing-him

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