When it comes to being led by the Spirit, there's a common mistake among believers; one which has led to many heartaches and avoidable problems. I have also made this mistake a number of times.
Please consider briefly the following Scriptures (paraphrased here and there):
After these things were ended, Paul purposed IN THE SPIRIT.....to go to JERUSALEM, saying, "After I have been there, I must also see ROME" (Acts 19:21)
And now, behold, I go BOUND IN THE SPIRIT unto JERUSALEM, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: save that THE HOLY GHOST WITNESSETH IN EVERY CITY, saying that BONDS and AFFLICTIONS abide me. But none of these things move me.....and.....I know that ye all.....shall see my face no more (Acts 20:22-25)
And finding disciples (at Tyre), we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul THROUGH THE SPIRIT, that he should NOT go up to JERUSALEM (Acts 21:4)
(At Caesarea) a certain PROPHET, named Agabus.....took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith THE HOLY GHOST, So shall the Jews at JERUSALEM BIND the man that owneth this girdle, and shall DELIVER him into the hands of the GENTILES (Acts 21:10&11)
Their response?
And when we heard these things, (we).....besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be BOUND only, but also to DIE at JERUSALEM for the name of the Lord Jesus. And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The WILL of the LORD be done (Acts 21:12-14)
And in Acts 21-28, it happened exactly that way: Paul was falsely accused by the Jews at Jerusalem, bound and handed over to the Gentiles; eventually went to Rome; and finally died for the name of the Lord Jesus.
Was the Holy Ghost contradicting Himself?
Was apostle Paul being spiritually obstinate? Was he wrong to go to Jerusalem despite all the warnings?
Who was right? Who was wrong? What happened?
Two Scriptures give us the answer, detailing one previous event, and one subsequent event.
But the Lord said unto (Ananias), Go thy way: for (Saul) is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the GENTILES, and KINGS, and the children of Israel: for I will shew him how GREAT THINGS he MUST SUFFER for my name's sake (Acts 9:15&16)
And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome (Acts 23:11)
The Lord (Jesus) had said earlier that Paul was going to suffer great things and also stand before kings to testify of Him. That wouldn't have happened in full if Jerusalem did not happen (Acts 23-28)
Secondly, the Lord (Jesus) appeared to him in Jerusalem, not to rebuke him, but to encourage and reassure him that he was on track (from Jerusalem to Rome).
So what happened earlier? A common mistake.
In every city, the Holy Ghost testified/signified in the hearts of believers; they "picked" or "sensed" or even "saw" or "heard" it in their spirits/by the Holy Spirit that Paul would suffer at the hands of the Jews in Jerusalem; but instead of saying exactly what they got from the Holy Spirit (suffering awaits you in Jerusalem), they drew their own conclusions (don't go to Jerusalem).
The Holy Spirit never said not to go, for He Himself had apparently said to go. What the Holy Ghost was saying was very simple, "this is what will happen when you get there". Please scroll back/up and read the first set of verses again if in doubt.
Only the prophet Agabus was named & documented to have conveyed the message clearly "this is what WILL happen at Jerusalem", and he stopped there!
I pray that we might learn to stop where the Holy Ghost stops! That we might learn to say only what He says and not to add our own conclusions or draw our own inferences.
When the believers heard Agabus and tried to convince Paul, with tears, not to go; and Paul refused, they ceased, and said "the will of the Lord be done". What were they planning before? To subvert the will of the Lord?!
We (you and I) must be careful, brethren, to say just what the Lord says and no more (and no less where possible).
Like the prophet Agabus, let's not interpret the message. But if we really MUST interpret it, let's wait on His wisdom to teach us, and not use human wisdom or emotions.
We receive grace in Jesus' name!
Light dawns!
