Countdown to Pentecost – Day 2
“Led By the Spirit”
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”
Romans 8:14
The bible distinguishes children from sons. All who are born-again are the children of God, but sons are those children who have grown up and are mature enough to be led by the Holy Spirit. When it comes to spiritual matters, the primary characteristic of a mature son of God is that he is “led by the Spirit of God.”
To be led by the Spirit means that regardless of what we think, feel, or desire, we govern our lives by the dictates of the Holy Spirit, not our desires or preferences. A child cries when they feel like crying, screams when they feel like screaming, and hits when they feel like hitting. A child must learn and mature to the point that they control their impulses and do what they are supposed to do, not what they feel like doing. This is what it means to be “led by the Spirit.” Regardless of what our flesh tells us to do, we still respond and react in accordance with the Holy Spirit’s instructions and not what we want to do.
Furthermore, when we are truly “led by the Spirit of God,” we follow our hearts, not our heads. Human logic and human reasoning should take a back seat to what the Holy Spirit tells us to do. For example, based upon our human reasoning and experience, we may think it best to leave a place for a better job that pays more money. Yet, when we are led by the spirit of God, we don’t make decisions based upon financial gains but by what God says to us through his Spirit. Do you see why this is a mark of real Christian maturity? To live like this, it takes training and discipline but it is well worth the quality life that it will produce.
Make the decision to be “led by the Spirit of God,” not your flesh.
Meditate on these scriptures:
John 16:13-15
Romans 8:6-8
Proverbs 20:27