74. Positive correlation between praying and being right?

I realize that when I pray more and sin less, I believe that the things I say and think are more likely to be right. Doesn't it make sense that more prayer increases the likelihood of being filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking God-inspired words?

However, this can lead to self-righteous thinking. Pharisees prayed and knew the Scriptures so well that they were confident they were right. Compared to someone who didn't pray and read the Scriptures, wouldn't a Pharisee more likely be right when explaining the teachings of God? In the same way, we may think that we've had a good week/SSC/NYTS/CYC/etc and are in a spiritual high. Therefore, we are probably right when we explain such-and-such a passage or when we make certain choices/perform certain actions.

However, evil and wrong thoughts are just as likely to come in. For example, have you ever suddenly had a lustful or prideful thought and had to cast it out of your mind during a self-assumed spiritual high? If that is possible, it is just as possible that any other kind of wrong thinking may occur.

Lastly, people who don't have the abidance of God can totally say the right things too. Take one of my favorite examples, Eli. He said the right things at the right times. When Hannah was weeping in the temple, his words gave her peace. He gave Samuel the famous line, "Speak, for your servant is listening." Great advice. Wise words. However, he was evil and condemned. God was not with him.

So, let us remember: No matter what stage in our spirituality, we can always be wrong. Just because we are a servant of God doesn't mean everything we say is automatically God's message. It doesn't mean everything we think is automatically what God thinks--even if it is based on the Bible. Just because we have a strong opinion about something, doesn't mean God agrees. Let us not confuse our will with God's will. Always meticulously listen for God, inquire of Him, and be ready to yield to His will.