Episode Overview

Theme:
In this twentieth part of "Being Led By The Spirit Made Easy," Pastor Craig Field delves deeper into the practicalities and spiritual dynamics of being led by the Holy Spirit. He shares personal stories, biblical examples, and practical advice on distinguishing between natural desires and the inner witness, cautioning against relying on dramatic signs or "fleeces." He emphasizes cultivating constant spiritual awareness—especially through practices like singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs—as key to walking in the Spirit and receiving guidance in every aspect of life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Dangers of "Putting Out a Fleece" (00:00–10:25)

• Story from Kenneth Hagin: Pastor Craig retells Kenneth Hagin's account of waiting for confirmation rather than acting on outward signs ("fleeces").
• Soul vs. Spirit: It's easier to discern God's leading when you don't want to do something; personal desires can cloud the inner witness.
• True Guidance:
  • "I'm not led by the door. I know the will of God, because I know I'm led by the inner witness." (03:14, Pastor Craig)
  • Once you know God’s will by the inner witness, pray, "Lord, now that I know it’s you, you’ll have to open the door," not "If you open the door, I’ll know it’s you."
• Fleece vs. Faith: Mature ministers can fall into the trap of looking for external confirmation, but Pastor Craig warns, “The devil can influence the outcome of that fleece because he's in that realm... The only realm that is purely sealed is your spirit.” (06:04)

2. The Importance of the Inner Witness (10:26–24:20)

• Spirit vs. Soul:
  • The spirit can reveal things to you spontaneously, often bypassing the mind. Pastor Craig relates a moment when he responded to a financial situation by proclaiming, "That's okay, I'm rich," surprising even himself (12:44).
  • These quick, unfiltered responses can be leadings from the Holy Spirit.
• Listening for the Jump:
  • "Sometimes your spirit can move. I call it jump…pay attention because that's usually an answer for you." (16:16)
  • Answers can come in everyday moments—overheard words or sudden reactions within your spirit.
• God’s Supply: When you know you are led by the Spirit, there’s supply for what you’re called to do—so liberality and generosity flow naturally.

3. Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs as Tools for Leading (24:21–35:34)

• Definition and Application:
  • Psalms: Prayers or songs (poetic, spoken or sung, sometimes by inspired utterance)
  • Hymns: Pre-written, established songs of worship.
  • Spiritual Songs: Spontaneous, inspired by the Holy Spirit (akin to singing by prophecy).
• Practical Encouragement:
  • "If you’ll practice this, that's one way you can figure out what the Holy Ghost wants you to meditate on… It will come right up out of your spirit by a spiritual song." (30:02)
  • Pastor Craig suggests recording these songs and meditating on what arises from within.
• Cultivating Sensitivity: Praying in tongues helps you "step over the log" into the spirit realm, where spiritual songs flow more easily.

4. Cultivating “Walking in the Spirit” in Everyday Life (35:35–47:40)

• Lifestyle of Attunement:
  • Even during mundane tasks (like laundry or commuting), keep your heart turned toward God—by singing, praying in tongues, or simply becoming silent before Him.
• Story of the Woman in Rural America: Even amid busy, menial labor, she maintained spiritual awareness through constant melody and prayer (“She has learned the secret of walking in the Spirit…”).
• Transforming Frustration:
  • In situations like airport delays or traffic, you can choose to “wait on the Lord” or use that time for frustration.
  • "You can use this time to complain, or you can use this time to wait on Me." (41:57, God to Pastor Craig)
  • Worship, meditating on scripture, even silent attention are ways to remain spiritually focused.

5. The Skill of Discernment & Avoiding Immaturity (47:41–53:01)

• Inner Witness Explained:
  • Sometimes a leading is a check, stop sign, or a prompting—often felt not with the mind but in the spirit.
  • Notable Quote:
    "When you're praying about things and you've got that good velvety like feeling in your spirit, that's a go ahead sign. That's a green light. Go ahead. But...there seems to be a hesitancy, a check in your spirit. That's a stop sign." (50:41, recounting Jesus’s words to Kenneth Hagin, 1959 vision)
• Equality in Leading: The prophet’s ministry gives revelation for others, but not an edge in personal guidance—everyone must develop sensitivity personally.
• Maturity Marks:
  • Mature believers rely on the inner witness, not experiences, prophecies, or dreams as primary guidance (though God can use them for confirmation).
  • "If you develop skillfulness, you're always safe. And then if dramatic happens, it's fine. If the dramatic doesn't happen, you don't care. Because you know." (53:00)

6. Perceptions, Promptings & Examples from Paul (53:02–01:07:55)

• Biblical Example: Acts 27: Paul’s “I perceive” (Acts 27:10) illustrates a spiritual perception that isn’t always a full, detailed inner witness but a knowing that grows stronger by paying attention.
  • "Perceive" means to observe, to look at intently, and compare what's happening outwardly with your spirit’s response.
  • Even apostles (Paul) saw “dimly”—sometimes misjudging details but getting the core witness correct.
• Real-Life Stories:
  • Immediate obedience saves: A man at a restaurant felt a strong inward witness to go home now—and arrived in time to save his house from a fire (01:04:34).
  • Pastor Craig’s family avoided a bombing by his mother’s spiritual perception to go elsewhere (01:06:21).
• Advantage of the Spirit:
  • “It's advantageous for me to go…You're going to have an advantage over the sinner. What? The sinner is wandering around in darkness. You're going to have light.” (01:05:12)

7. Living in Constant Supernatural Protection (01:07:56–End)

• Dominion & Proximity:
  • "God has given Paul the rest of the heathens on that ship simply because they were in proximity to him." (01:08:56)
  • As believers, we carry this protection and should see ourselves as spiritual authorities in our environments (planes, offices, etc.).
  • "Those people don't know how safe they are because I’m on that plane...Because of who you are...You have divine rights." (01:09:44)
• Practical Application: Speak your covenant, declare protection, and be aware that your spiritual presence brings divine favor and safety.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Fleeces:

  "But to say, 'Now that I know by the inner witness, it is you. Now…you'll have to open the door.' That's a very important statement." — Pastor Craig, (03:14)

• On Dramatic Leadings:

  "You can't live off the dramatic…If you're always looking for something dramatic, devils are going to accommodate you…You go with the inward witness. It's the only thing you promise." — Pastor Craig, (57:09)

• On Personal Spiritual Authority:

  "You never have to fear, 'What if I'm in the wrong place at the wrong time?' Don't ever even say that. You need to say, 'I am led by the spirit. Clearly I can't be in the wrong place at the wrong time.'" — Pastor Craig, (01:07:00)

• On Worship’s Role in Guidance:

  "If you'll practice this, that's one way you can figure out what the Holy Ghost wants you to meditate on...It will come right up out of your spirit by a spiritual song." — Pastor Craig, (30:02)

• On Equality in Guidance:

  "That anointing for the people is for the people. My personal faith works for me...So I don't get a...Because I'm in the ministry, I don't get an upper hand. I don't get a leg up over you. Everybody is equal." — Pastor Craig, (51:38)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–10:25: Dangers of fleeces and story of Kenneth Hagin’s guidance.
• 10:26–24:20: How spirit-led reactions differ from soul-led; importance of paying attention to spontaneous responses.
• 24:21–35:34: Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs explained and encouraged as a way of staying led by the Spirit.
• 35:35–47:40: Cultivating lifelong spiritual awareness in the mundane.
• 47:41–53:01: Maturity in discerning the inner witness; dramatic experiences vs. daily guidance.
• 53:02–01:07:55: Biblical and personal stories of perception, inner witness, and divine protection.
• 01:07:56–end: The believer's advantage, declaring protection, concluding blessings.

Conclusion

Pastor Craig Field's teaching underscores that the Christian life is meant to be one of constant, dynamic relationship with the Holy Spirit. Rather than seeking external, dramatic signs, true guidance comes from nurturing a sensitive, submitted heart attuned to God's inner witness—made easier through practices like spiritual songs and consistent prayer. This simple, day-to-day awareness provides supernatural advantage, protection, and direction in every aspect of life.