Mastermind groups are all the rage, and they have been ever since the concept was introduced by Napoleon Hill in his 1937 book, Think and Grow Rich.

Hill described the purpose of a mastermind group as, “The coordination of knowledge and effort of two or more people, who work toward a definite purpose, in the spirit of harmony.”

The advantage of a group, according to Hill, is when two minds come together to solve a problem, there is a synergistic effect. That is, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts!

Having been a member of a couple of mastermind groups, I agree. The combined wisdom of a group is often greater than the wisdom of any individual.

But in a Christian mastermind, there is one person who goes largely unnoticed that is more important to the group’s success than everyone else.

Who is this person you ask?

Why it is the Holy Spirit!

On the day before Jesus went to the cross, he told the disciples, “…I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you” (John 14:16-17).

As Christians, we have a special advantage in the game of life. We have a counselor. The Holy Spirit. The Spirit of Truth. The world neither sees him or knows him.

But, He lives inside every Christian, and he wants to help us in six very important ways. He wants to help us…

1) Know what we need to know.

Jesus began teaching the disciples about the ministry of the Holy Spirit by saying the Holy Spirit will guide the believer in all truth.

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth…” (John 16:13). 

2) Know where we need to go.

The Holy Spirit led Simeon to the temple where he blessed Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus.

“Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple complex” (Luke 2:27).

In another case, the Holy Spirit led Philip to his encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:29)

3) Know what we need to say.

The Holy Spirit even guides us into knowing what we need to say and how to say it.

Jesus, teaching the disciples, said, “…don’t worry about how or what you should speak. For you will be given what to say at that hour, because you are not speaking, but the Spirit of your Father is speaking through you. (Matthew 10:19-20).

4) Know when we need to wait.

The Holy Spirit will sometimes put us in a holding pattern, causing us to wait for God’s perfect timing. Writing to the Galatians, Paul comforted them saying, ^“For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness” (Galatians 5:5).

5) Know what temptations we need to avoid.

Writing to the Galatians, Paul cautioned them to avoid the temptations of the world but encouraged them saying the Holy Spirit would lead them.

“For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law” (Galatians 5:17-18).

6) Know what mistakes and dangers we need to avoid.

The Holy Spirit prevented Paul from traveling to the province of Asia or Bithynia.

Luke records, “They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia and were prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the message in Asia. When they came to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them” (Acts 16:6-7).

In another instance, the Holy Spirit intervened with Paul’s travel plans telling him not to go to Jerusalem (Acts 21:4).

Our Holy Spirit Mastermind Partner

Christians, we have a great privilege, and that is having the power of the Holy Spirit living in us. This Holy Spirit will guide us throughout life’s journey. He will tell us what we need to know, where we need to go, what we need to say when we need to wait, what temptations we need to avoid, and even what mistakes and dangers lie ahead!

What a marvelous counselor we have!

[thrive_text_block color=”light” headline=”The six ways the Holy Spirit wants to help us is adapted from “Choosing the Right Guide for My Life,” a sermon by Pastor Rick Warren.”] [/thrive_text_block]

Join the Conversation

As always, questions and comments are welcome. Do think being guided by the Holy Spirit is beneficial for leaders today? If so, in what way?

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Category: Relationships | Healthy Alliances