When Jesus was on the earth, He told His disciples that He had to leave the earth so the Holy Spirit can come (John 16:7). Once you are a believer, and receive the Holy Spirit, He is with you always. Unfortunately, oftentimes the Holy Spirit is one of the most ignored persons by us as believers. Let me explain, when we speak to the Father in prayer, think about it, if we do not pay attention, it is at times a monologue, we do not wait to hear from Holy Spirit. This is a major catalyst for many of our problems, both physical and spiritual. I wanted to share an aspect of receiving revelation from the Holy Spirit; specifically, the revelations that are only for you and Him.
Jeremiah 33:3 states call unto me and I will answer you and I will show you great and unsearchable things you do not know. The word of God is truth, and the Holy Spirit does reveal secret things, secret strategies, correction, direction and instruction. Sometimes, when He reveals secret things, He requires these things to not be shared with anyone else. If we are honest, there have been a time or times, when the Holy Spirit reveals information to us. As soon as He reveals to us, we call a friend to share our revelation, go to social media to post, or run to the church to tell the pastor and other sisters and brothers in Christ. When the Holy Spirit reveals secret things to you, whether it be direction, prophecy, answers to questions or anything else, there is an appointed time for its use or manifestation. If we share this information before its time, it can be destructive. Let's be clear, there are times when the Holy Spirit gives revelation to be shared immediately, but the 'secret things', are often times, secret.
In scripture, quite a number of people received secrets from the Holy Spirit that required a period of silence. In Luke 1, Elizabeth was pregnant for six months and did not reveal it to anyone. The angel was the one who revealed it to Mary, her cousin. Elizabeth's husband Zechariah, received the word from the angel Gabriel that his wife Elizabeth who was barren and old, would in fact bear a son and his name should be called John. Zechariah's response was unbelief and was made mute until the manifestation of the child, who we call John, the Baptist. The revelation came to Mary in Luke 1:36 (NLT) What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month.
In Daniel 12, the angel came down to reveal to Daniel the answer to his prayer, scripture says in Daniel 12:4 (NLT) But you, Daniel, keep these words secret, and seal the book until the end times. Many will travel everywhere, and knowledge will grow. When the angel gave the revelation, it was made clear to keep it secret. Sometimes the Lord will explicitly tell you to shhhh, other times, it will be impressed on your heart to shhhh, as in the case of Elizabeth. Proverbs 12:23 says, The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.
After it was revealed to Peter that Jesus was the Messiah, in Matthew 16, Jesus stated clearly not to share the revelation that He was the Messiah. Matthew 16:20 (NLT) states, then Jesus sternly warned the disciples not to tell anyone that He is the Messiah.
These are just a few scriptural references, and if Jesus told the disciples to shhhh at the revelation, you must understand the same is expected today.
You may be saying, are we supposed to keep everything secret? The answer is truly no. But, we must be able to discern when to speak and when to be quiet, and the Holy Spirit will help you to discern when you are in the time to speak, and when you are in the time to be quiet.
Some practical tools you can use for when God speaks or reveal secret things to you, is to write it down. I practice writing the date in addition to the revelation, just for future references. Also, these secrets will be made known at an appointed time, if you speak prematurely, your spirit will quicken and lack peace, but, when it is time to speak, you will have complete peace. If you are unsure still, speak with someone mature in faith, such as a prayer leader, group leader or pastor, as these persons can give guidance.
Finally, sometimes you will get revelation that you must keep from even close family and friends, not from a place of malice, but from a place of obedience. Sometimes when it is time to speak or there is manifestation, these friends and family members may become upset that you kept the information from them. This can feel emotionally draining, but, I can assure you, obedience to God and His instruction supersedes the temporary anger from your loved ones, in time, they will understand. If they don't, you also have to be fine with that. This is called maturity. Until next time.
