insights

The discovery of the importance of having spiritual insights positions us for spiritual development and growth. Let’s explore the sources of gaining spiritual insights; understanding the necessity of this in the body of Christ. To be an effective, relevant Christian requires more than every Sunday presence in worship services, which is a part of our spiritual activities and not to be treated as the whole.
Sources of Gaining Spiritual Insights
1. Dreams and Visions
All through the Bible, God had used dreams and visions to give spiritual guidance to people who sought his face. Of course we need to be well guided because all dreams don’t come from God. To best benefit from this source, you have to develop a regular life of prayer not a casual Sunday morning worship. When Jacob went out from Beersheba toward Haran and laid down to rest on his journey, God visited him in a dream and assured him. This calmed his anxiety in the journey and gave him confidence. I’ve received many spiritual insights through dreams and visions that became a reality when I awoke. When faced with difficult situations, sometimes I go to God in prayer at night and wait on the Lord to give me directions in the dream. When you lay down with a divine consciousness, the Lord can visit you through dreams and visions and give you spiritual insights.
The scripture addresses this source when it said, “For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumbering upon bed, then he openeth the ears of men and sealeth their instruction; that he may withdraw from man from his purpose, and hide pride from him” (Job 33:14-17, KJV). There are those whom God gives dreams and visions to as a spiritual gift. If you desire being used this way, ask the Lord in faith and trust that he will answer.
2. Gift of the word of knowledge
This is one of the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit given to a person for the benefit of the body of Christ. You can be a chosen vessel for this source of gaining spiritual insight. This is not a guesswork, it’s the spirit of God imparting into your spirit without any foreknowledge, insight as touching a condition, event, or even Lord has used me in this area in several instances that simply blows me away. We’re admonished to desire spiritual gifts and I believe strongly that the Lord isn’t partial. If you desire this gift, make it a habit to spend time in God’s presence.
3. Gift of Discernment
This is inspired illumination given by the Holy Ghost at an instance to know the state of affairs. It works closer to the gift of the word of knowledge but differs in operation. You can walk into a situation or place and like a light, what goes on in the environment is made clear to you. It’s a divine perception that is unquestionable and exact. Our human faculties are always muted when the Holy Spirit is operating in our lives. Apostle Paul confronted a damsel who was possessed with a spirit of divination who followed him in the evangelical services for days. When he discerned by the Holy Spirit, the evil spirit operating in her, he commanded the Spirit to leave in the name of Jesus.
4. Meditative Study of God’s Word
The Psalmist says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” (Psalms 119:105). You’ll avoid unnecessary stumbling because the Word becomes your divine instructor. It provides the insights of things to avoid. Studying and meditation upon the word of God gives us an understanding of spiritual matters. You’ll have to set aside time for this exercise, and you’ll grow in great spiritual depth. God is a spirit; our human sinful nature can’t understand nor embrace divine matters. It’s our position to ask the Lord earnestly as we study his word for spiritual insights. Until the eyes of our understanding are enlightened, we walk and live in spiritual blindness.
5. The preaching of the Word of God
There have been many cases that I received deep spiritual truths as the word of God is expounded. When Jesus taught and preached to the multitudes, they declared “we’ve never heard it like this.” You can read the scriptures and obtain no meaning from it, then you listen as the same is preached and, like a light in gross darkness, the Lord shines his understanding into your soul man. The same becomes so clear and you’re overwhelmed with the abundance of spiritual insights.
The more spiritual insights you gain through these sources the more mature, wise, and confident you will be in your daily Christian living. To gain spiritual insights requires a conscious effort of spending time in God’s presence.