Expert: Dr. Jay Forrest - 3/22/2006

Question
Dear Jay,

Thank you for your response.  Most times I do feel led to share.  But you are right, I need the spirit of humility.   How do I grow in humility and gentleness?
Tinu.

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Followup To
Question -
Dear Jay,

I have been a christian for a while and discovered that when , I started to spend more time in the word ( the bible), prayer and waiting on the Lord, I got answers (sometimes straight away or over a period of time and in some cases I'm still waiting).  

When I share some of my dreams and revelations with people that are close to me, I get told that everthing is too logical or straight forward.
( I believe that we are supposed to encourage each other and share testimonies).

My question is how can I know that I am growing spiritualy  (in my dreams or when I pray I see eyes or a face which seems like it is superimposed on my face) and what should i  share with my close friends.

I thank God for your life, cos' I have read some questions (and your answers)and pray more people will be blessed by the Q & A.

Tinu.
Answer -
Hi Tinu,

The more time we spend with God the more likely we are to hear His voice.  God does still speak to us in dreams and visions (Acts 2:17).

There are, however, many that serve a mute God. To them God has spoken, but no longer speaks. They believe that the Bible is all that is needed.

Many people look down upon people who have dreams and visions.  There have been far too many false revelations that they throw the baby out with the bath water.

So what should you do?  First, they are not being encouraged by your relelations because they are too critical.  So don't share your revelations with them, unless God tells you to.  

Secondly, just because you have a revelation does not mean you are suppose to share it (Ecclesiastes 3:7). Be discerning on when and to whom you share it.  A good rule is don't share it unless you are led to share it.

Thirdly, if you find that you can't keep silent about your revelations, then perhaps a little humility is needed. Revelations can make us proud and we can become "exalted above measure" (2 Corinthians 12:7).

Dreams and visions have nothing to do with spiritual gowth, they deal with snsitivity. Judge your spiritual gowth by whether you are walking in love. Are you kind in your words, considerate in your actions, and pure in your thoughts towards others? Are you doing what Jesus would do in your place, saying and thinking as He would?

The gifts of the Spirit are a signs of spiritual power; the fruit of the Spirit are signs of spiritual growth.  "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing" (1 Corinthians 13:1-2).

I have written an article on dreams and visions that might be helpful.  My website is currently under construction, so I will have to redirect you to an archived copy:
http://web.archive.org/web/20030104142949/jayforrest.org/dreamsvisions.htm

I hope that I was able to answer your question and help you in dealing with your friends.

Answer
Hi Tinu,

You ask how to grow in humility and gentleness. I am not sure that I can really answer that fully in this format.  I will, however, do my best.

Humility is seeing yourself for who you really are. When you strip off your personality and reputation, and you lay bare your heart to the blazing gaze of an all holy God. That is the real you I am talking about.

For "humility is the virtue," notes St. Bernard, "by which a man recognizes his own unworthiness because he really knows himself." The brighter the light, the clearer the imperfections. If you have a deep exprience of God and don't feel your own unworthiness afterwards, somethings wrong.

This realistic opinion of ourselves can only be gotten in two ways. "One," writes the author of The Cloud of Unknowing, "is the degradation, wretchedness, and weakness of man to which by sin he has fallen."  The other, he says, "is the superabundant love and worth of God in himself: gazing on which all nature trembles, all scholars are fools, all saints and angels blind."

Gentleness is flows from humble love. Love is not a feeling, it is a decision to seek the highest good of the other person, irrespective of grateful response.

Gentleness arise naturally be realizing that you are an unworthy wretch. Pick the worsed sinner you know, and that is you except for the grace of God. Not clearly gentleness is not hard when you realize that they are you, that is you without the grace of God. You didn't earn the grace of God. So be grateful and be gentle to those still in need of God's grace. You may be the means to there salvation.

Humility and gentleness are only words if they are not put into action. Pray that God would teach you to be humble and gentle, and to walk in love toward others.

In writiing this I have taken a few moments to pray for you.  I believe that God is taking you to the next level of spiritual growth. In the next few months God is going to rock your world. You will understand later.

Your servant in Christ,

Jay N. Forrest
http://www.jayforrestministries.org/