Podcast Episode Summary: “Being Led By The Spirit Made Easy”

Podcast: Promise of Life Church Podcasts
Episode Date: July 19, 2024
Speaker: Rev. Harpreet Khosa (with contributions from Pastor Nancy and Pastor Kirk)
Main Theme:
This episode centers on demystifying the process of being led by the Holy Spirit, making it approachable and practical for every believer. It emphasizes the necessity of renewing one’s mind with the Word of God in order to clearly discern and follow divine guidance, showing that spiritual leading is easy—if one’s thoughts and attitudes are aligned with God’s truth.

Main Discussion Points and Insights

1. God’s Leading Is for Our Benefit

• Isaiah 48:17 is introduced as a foundation: God is committed to teaching and leading His people for their good.
• Pastor Kirk highlights (00:30): “The leading of the Holy Spirit is critical for us because we don't know what is good for us. …God says, I am the one who leads you.”
• The message: There are benefits—both for ourselves and for those connected to us—when we follow God's leading, but it’s “our responsibility to be led by His Spirit” (01:10).

2. Church as a Learning Ground

• The church is compared to a school or university—spiritual growth requires continual “homework” and self-assessment (02:06).
• Pastor Nancy (02:13): “Am I doing the way he's teaching or not? Am I doing the way Lord says or not? If I'm not, I endeavor to change right away so that I can benefit from the Word. Because word always profit us.”

3. The Barrier of the Unrenewed Mind

• The greatest obstacle to being led by the Spirit is not external circumstances or a lack of desire, but rather an "unrenewed mind"—a mindset not aligned with God’s Word (04:09).
• Romans 8:5 (The Passion Translation) is quoted, drawing a distinction between living by flesh (self-serving, carnal thinking) and living by the impulses of the Holy Spirit (spiritual realities).
• Pastor Kirk (05:29): “The mind which doesn't think the way God thinks.… The mind which goes the other direction, which is not submissive to the Word of God or God himself. So that's called unrenewed mind.”

4. Renewal of Mind as a Daily Practice

• Christians can still be carnal after new birth (06:18). The process of thinking like God does requires daily and consistent effort—just like combing one’s hair every morning (08:24).
• Notable quote, Pastor Nancy (09:19): “If you are not doing that, you are not being led by the Spirit.”

5. Private Devotion over ‘Slogans’

• The episode debunks the practice of repeating Christian slogans without living the lifestyle behind them (09:32).
• Pastor Kirk (09:50): “What you are doing in private life, tell me. I'll tell you what you will do in life or not.”

6. The Necessity of Admitting and Addressing Wrong Thinking

• Many are hampered by their refusal to admit their thoughts and attitudes need change (11:32).
• Humility, as described, means being willing to take responsibility—even if not “wrong” per se—to maintain peace (11:46).

7. Birthright of Guidance—and Our Responsibility

• Every believer has the “birthright” to be led by God’s Spirit (14:33), but acting on this requires a renewed mind.
• Mind stands between God’s voice and our actions; unless aligned, even clear guidance will not profit us (15:05).

8. Bondage Is to the Unrenewed Mind, Not to the Devil

• Memorable teaching (15:20):
  • Pastor Nancy quotes Brother Hagin: “Any Christian who is in a bondage is in a bondage to unrenewed mind, not to the devil.”
  • Reiterated by Pastor Kirk (15:32): “You are free…but he said you…are not bondage to the devil…you are bondage to unrenewed mind.”

9. Washing the Mind with the Word

• Renewing the mind is ONLY done by the Word, not by prayer alone (16:24).
• Practical: Don’t substitute praying in tongues for regular Bible intake (16:42).

10. The Dangers and Cost of Wrong Thinking: Testimony

• Pastor Nancy shares the story of a mighty Indian apostle who missed God’s specific instruction due to worrying about people’s opinions, resulting in tragedy (20:01–26:15).
  • God told him to buy a new Mercedes; he bought a used one instead, fearing others’ judgment.
  • As a result, his daughter was killed in an accident that the new car’s features could have prevented.
  • Lesson: “His unrenewed mind cost the life of his daughter” (26:10).

11. Practical Application—Honoring God’s House

• Treating the church building with respect is used as a tangible example of renewing our thinking to God’s values (27:17–30:47).
• We must align how we treat God's house (and His things) with how He sees and values them.

12. Seeking God, Not Human Validation

• When unsure, avoid rushing to seek others’ input—especially those whose minds may not be renewed (32:00).
• Paul’s example: After hearing from God, he didn’t “immediately confer with flesh and blood” (Galatians 1:16, 33:13).
  • Let God’s communication become “solid in you”; don’t be moved in haste (35:08).
  • There’s a difference between consulting and declaring. Paul waited until he was sure, then declared his revelation to others (39:00).

13. The Weapon of a Renewed Mind

• Pastor Nancy: “Your mind being renewed is your weapon. Unrenewed mind is a minus in us, it’s a loss for us.” (46:15)
• E.W. Kenyon quotes:
  • “As your minds are renewed, the devil is no longer a problem to you.” (44:06)
  • “Renewing our mind and exercising our faith makes us intelligent victors.” (45:09)

14. Summary Instructions for Being Led by the Spirit Made Easy

• Renew your mind DAILY with the Word of God.
• Don’t rely on slogans or mere prayer without the Word.
• Humbly evaluate and adjust your thinking, admit when it’s wrong.
• Avoid rushing to get others' advice before God’s direction is solid in you.
• Treat God’s house—and all things connected to Him—with honor.
• Make space and time for the impulses of the Holy Spirit by quieting distractions.
• Combine reading the Word and praying in the Spirit.
• Remember: “Being led by the Spirit is easy…for those who are continually renewing their mind.” (13:29)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Need for a Renewed Mind:

  • “The mind which doesn't think the way God thinks… that's called unrenewed mind.” (Pastor Kirk, 05:29)
  • “Any Christian who is in a bondage is in a bondage to unrenewed mind, not to the devil.” (Brother Hagin quote, 15:20)
  • “Renewing our mind and exercising our faith makes us intelligent victors.” (E.W. Kenyon, 45:09)

• On the Dangers of Wrong Thinking:

  • “[The Indian apostle] didn’t think right in that… But it doesn't matter who you are, you are going through a same process of renewing your mind.” (Pastor Nancy, 22:33)
  • “His unrenewed mind cost the life of his daughter.” (26:10)

• On Guidance and Consulting Others:

  • “When I heard from God, I didn't go to… apostles who were before me… I went alone… to inquire more of God, to get it more solid in him.” (Pastor Kirk on Paul, 34:55)
  • “The most wrong thing you can do is… go to another young person and say, oh, what do you think? …To follow God’s leading, you have to understand that it is coming from God.” (36:05)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Foundational Scripture & Introduction – 00:00–02:24
• Barrier of the Unrenewed Mind – 04:09–07:30
• Daily Mind Renewal Illustrations – 08:24–09:19
• Difference Between Slogans and Genuine Private Devotion – 09:32–10:10
• Confronting Wrong Thinking and Honesty – 11:32–12:14
• Every Believer’s Birthright to Be Led – 14:33–15:07
• Bondage to the Unrenewed Mind, Not the Devil – 15:20–16:05
• Necessity of the Word for Mind Renewal – 16:24–17:39
• Testimony of the Indian Apostle – 20:01–26:15
• Practical Application: Honoring God’s House – 27:17–30:47
• Seeking God First Before Human Counsel – 32:00–39:53
• Quotes from Kenyon & Takeaways on Renewed Mind as Victory – 44:00–45:13
• Closing Prayers and Blessing – 46:21–End

Conclusion

The episode compellingly argues that being led by the Spirit is accessible, practical, and intended for every Christian, provided they commit to the continuous renewal of their mind through God’s Word. Daily devotion, honest self-reflection, and a commitment to God’s perspective—rather than people’s opinions—are the building blocks for clear spiritual direction and victorious Christian living.

“As your minds are renewed, the devil is no longer a problem to you.” – E.W. Kenyon (44:06)