Spirit led People

Being led by the Spirit, according to the teaching of the Bible, is an indicator of your relationship to God. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, are sons of God” (Romans 8:14). It is very important that you and I come to an understanding of this verse. What does it mean to be led by the Spirit of God?

Man is incapable of leading himself. I know this sounds a bit demeaning toward the human race, but it is true. Jeremiah 10:23 says, “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” When one tries to map his direction in life through his own reasoning and judgment, failure is sure to develop. I believe there are a number of reasons for this.

First, you and I have limited knowledge. The truth is we simply do not know very much. We cannot see but a short distance. I do not know what is on the morrow and am incapable of mapping a direction in life that is accurate because of this fact. If the only compass I carry is my judgment, I am like the fellow caught in an avalanche. When the snow came to rest and he found himself engulfed, he started to dig himself out. As he dug, he discovered that he had made no progress, for he was digging down toward death rather than up toward life. Our lives are like that. Without the direction of One who knows everything, we simply don’t know the right way to go.

Secondly, our judgments are skewed by sin. We have been reared in homes by sinful parents, educated in schools by sinful teachers, and have learned sin from many sources. Since this is true, our judgments are often influenced by sinful behavior.

Thirdly, it was never God’s plan that you and I live independently of Him. When man was placed in the garden, he was given direction from the beginning. Adam and Eve were given a path to walk. When they became independent of God’s direction, they lost their place—and we do too. Our failure, our evils, and our downfall come from our insistence on being self-directed rather than Spirit-led.

Man needs direction from God. With this direction, a healthy, vibrant, spiritually successful life ensues. How are we “led by the Spirit”?

It has always been the method of fallen man to trust instincts and strong urges. Does God’s Spirit lead us through instincts and urges? When we have an overwhelming sense of feeling and conviction, is this God leading us? I have heard many statements to this end—statements such as, “God told me to take this job,” or, “I felt the Spirit urge me to find another church.” Many pastors determine their job locations this way. Some are convinced of a “calling” and insist the Spirit leads them from higher wages to higher wages.

The truth of the matter, according to the wise man in Proverbs, is that if I rely solely on my feelings, I lack proper guidance. Proverbs 12:15 says, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.” Again, the wise man says in Proverbs 3:6, “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Do you remember that the Apostle Paul operated for an extended period of time on his feelings and conscience? During this time, he was kicking against the pricks (Acts 9:5). Paul commends his brethren in the flesh, the Jews, for their zeal and convictions, but he concludes that they were conducting themselves “not according to knowledge” (Romans 10:2).

Some would insist on receiving direction from their counselor, priest, or pastor. Dr. Phil is making a pretty good living out of giving advice. Don’t misunderstand me; I realize there are many intelligent, well-trained people giving valuable help to those in need. However, when we rely solely on these individuals to give us direction, we fail. Man’s tendency has always been to elevate other men to a distinction belonging only to God. I am not encouraging disrespect, but I am encouraging looking to God for direction on the path of life that leads into eternity.

How does the Spirit lead us? Quite frankly, His Spirit leads us by way of the words of His Spirit. Second Timothy 3:16 says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” Jesus said in John 6:63, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”

Friends, unless you study His Word—the Bible—you will never know the direction to walk. Unless you spend time learning from the words of the Spirit, your life will never change for the good. Except you learn the Word of God, you will wander in a million different directions, never arriving anywhere but disappointment. Unless you learn from God’s Word what is necessary to be born again, you will forever forfeit citizenship in His kingdom.

By refusing to gain knowledge from God’s Word, you choose not to be led by the Spirit. Advice is cheap—you may take it or leave it. God’s Word is not just good advice; it offers supernatural knowledge. It is not merely a code of moral ethics; it offers words that change the heart. It is not just a book of poetry; it sets a cadence to march by. It is not just a series of suggestions; it points a lost and dying world to eternal life. It is not just a moving story; it is the greatest story ever told, revealing a suffering Savior.

When we become subject to the words of the Spirit—the Bible—we become followers of His commands. Therefore, “we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”

You and I must not allow Satan to deceive us by listening to our emotions and feelings. Neither should we rely solely upon those whom we hold in high respect. Unless we allow the words of the Spirit to lead us, the flesh will lead us. Paul further states that to follow the lusts of the flesh means certain death, but to follow the words of the Spirit means life and peace.

Mark Parkhurst