Led By the Spirit

“For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God” (Romans 8:13-14 ESV).

As infants we were carried about by our parents. We really had no say in the matter. They made sure that we arrived at the proper place and at the proper time. Then, as we learned to walk, we were led by the hand. We could try to resist, but there was really nothing we could do to go our own way.

As we hit Middle and High Schools we were allowed a little more slack in the reins. We couldn’t exactly do whatever we wanted, but we had a taste of what that might be like.

Then at some point, be it college or the work world, we found the freedom we had longed for. But that freedom meant that we had some tough decisions to make. Now that I have the wheel, where do I want to go?

Maybe we chose to stay on the path that was laid out before us. Or maybe we turned and ran in the other direction.

As my young-adult son has said to me a few times, “Dad, being an adult is hard!”

While we have the freedom to choose our own path, letting go of our parent’s hands was really meant to be a transfer. We were to let go of childhood and take hold of the hand of God–sonship.

To be “led by the Spirit of God” is to decide that, while we are able to walk in any direction, toward any destination, we want to go where God wants us to go. Wherever that is. Whatever the cost. His way is best.

How does the Holy Spirit lead us?

The primary way He does is through His Word, the Bible. But coupled with the Word, is a still small voice in our hearts that either convicts us of sin, or opens our eyes to deeper truths that are to be found in Scripture.

Have you ever read or heard a verse or verses when you felt an immediate prick in your heart that you are doing something you shouldn’t be? That’s the Holy Spirit.

Have you ever been reading a section of the Bible that you’d read many times before only to see something that you’d never noticed before? That’s the Holy Spirit.

Have you ever had a feeling that you needed to walk a different path, or wait a little longer? That, is likely the Holy Spirit.

Being led by the Spirit is an active process, not a passive one. We must actively pay attention to everything that is going on around us, actively listen for that still, small voice. But we must be especially careful to follow His leading.

If we disobey too many times, our eyes become clouded to the truth; and our ears become dull to His voice. (You know. Like when you really aren’t paying attention to your spouse because you’re either distracted or disinterested)!

While there are some things that may be long-term direction, there are many times when we need the Holy Spirit’s guidance minute-by-minute.

Learn to listen to His voice and learn always to obey.

As always, these are the musings of a mindful disciple. Blessings on your week!

 

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