THEME: Spiritual Growth: Understanding The ‘Whats’ and ‘Hows’ of Growing Up unto God’s Life in our Souls
LESSON: Eight
TOPIC: Leadings/Dealings of the Holy Spirit: Understanding How Lines Translate into Change of Nature in our Souls (Part 2)
TEXT: Romans 1:5; Romans 8:14, 16; Acts 14:22; John 21:18; Romans 8:36
MEMORY TRACK:
In our last study, we saw that lines are the visible expressions of divine life that come from obeying revealed truth. They represent the character, conduct, and lifestyle that emerge when the Word of God is not just heard but done.
Revelation (Precepts) → Obedience → Lines (Life Manifested)
LINES ARE THE LIVES OF PRECEPTS
Every revelation carries a way of living, and lines are that life expressed. Lines are measurable expressions of spiritual growth. They show the degree to which Christ’s life has been formed in a believer. Lines come as instructions and commandments given by the Holy Spirit to guide believers into God’s nature. Lines become life through obedience. Knowledge alone is not life—obedience transforms revelation into character. Lines function as a spiritual measuring rod and reveal growth from small measure to fullness in Christ.
Spiritual growth is not about how much you know but how much of what you know has become your life through obedience. Every revelation carries a line to walk in—and as those lines are obeyed, divine life is progressively formed in the believer.
HOW LINES ARE GIVEN
- Lines are ways. Another word for lines is ‘ways.’ It is the defined paths of life that proceed from knowledge (precepts). Lines are not just teachings; they are pathways. They show how truth is lived, not just what is known. “He made known His ways unto Moses, His acts unto the children of Israel.” (Psalm 103:7).
Ways = understanding (Moses); Acts = manifestations (Israel)
- Teaching produces understanding. Doctrine is not merely information; it is the instruction that forms a way of life. We read, but we are primarily taught by hearing. Faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17). God designed the fivefold ministry (Ephesians 4:11) for this purpose:
- To teach knowledge
- To bring understanding
- To form Christ in believers
- Hearing Shapes Perception. “Take heed what you hear…” (Mark 4:24). What you hear affects how you read. Hearing gives interpretation to reading. A man can read Scripture but remain blind without proper teaching. Hearing is the gateway to accurate understanding.
- Ordained means of teaching: God uses Holy Ghost-ordained preachers as vessels. Teaching is not self-generated. Understanding comes through divinely guided instruction. Knowledge is communicated, not discovered independently.
- You cannot separate “Knowledge → Leading → Dealing.” Leading (direction) and dealing (formation/discipline) are both products of knowledge. God does not just inform; He transforms.
- The Shepherd’s Ministry (Feeding, Leading, Dealing): “The Lord is my shepherd…” (Psalm 23:1–2). The ministry of God (and His ministers) operates in three dimensions:
- Feeding: “He makes me to lie down in green pastures” (teaching, nourishment, doctrine)
- Leading: “He leads me beside still waters” (direction through revealed ways)
- Dealing: “He restores my soul” (correction, alignment, pruning)
Conclusion
Lines = Ways. Ways come through Teaching. Teaching comes by Hearing. Hearing produces Faith & Understanding. Understanding leads to Transformation. Transformation is expressed through feeding, leading, and dealing. God is not just interested in what you know but in the way you walk. Doctrine is successful when it becomes a pathway of living—a way.