Testing Our Leadings  

by Chel Avery

Friends believe that God may guide us to undertake certain actions, to travel, to sacrifice, to speak, to remain silent, to listen, or to learn.  We call such guidance  “leadings,” but sometimes we have “notions,” impulses that come from our own egos, fantasies, or through suggestion.  When we follow our leadings because they are leadings, when we represent ourselves as being led, when we ask our faith community for recognition of and support for our leadings, or when following leading requires sacrifice or risk, it is important that we be able to discern the difference between a leading and notion.  Historically, Friends have developed certain tests, none of these tests is infallible – as Paul lacey writes,  “The tests of discernment need to be applied with discernment.”  Still, they can help guide us.  The more of these tests that confirm our leadings, the more confident we can be.  

Time – (Are you wiling to wait patiently with the leading and see if it persists?)

Prayer  (What happens when you hold the leading in the Light?)

Consistency  (Is the leading in harmony with or in opposition to other guidance that has been given to you or to those in you faith community?)

Scripture  (Is the leading consistent with those texts that have reliably guided you toward truth in the past?)

Evidence of fruits of the Holy Spirit  (Does this action bring with it  “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control?”  Gal 5:22-23?)

“That of the Cross”  (Does the leading serve your personal interests, or does it require you to carry a burden?  If the former, you should test it more rigorously.)

Submitting to the discernment of one’s faith community.  (What happens when a clearness committee or other representatives of your meeting consider the leading with you in a worshipful gathering?)

Proceed as way opens.  (Do whatever is possible as it becomes possible.  Neither batter down doors, nor wait for a red carpet to unfurl.  Proceed as you can, with a willingness to continue, to wait, or to change directions as the leading matures.)

False Tests of Leadings

1. Am I qualified? 

2. Will I succeed? 

3. Does it feel safe? 

4. Am I ready?

These tests were compiled by Chel Avery based on materials in: Leading and Being Led (Pendle Hill Pamphlet by Paul Lacey); Kindling a Life of Concern: Spirit-Led Quaker Action (Pendle Hill Pamphlet by Jack Kirk), the books Beyond Majority Rule by Michael Sheeran, and with reference to some other work on the subject by Hugh Barbour.  Also see Bill Brent’s book Sacred Compass: The Way of Spiritual Discernment.
        
From adult discussion at Chestnut Hill Friends Meeting Nov 1, 2015