Led by the Spirit
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
Romans 8:14
Knowing how to be led by the Spirit or recognizing a strong desire to follow the Spirit is normally taught in the church as part of discipleship. As Christians, our lifestyle may change because we know the Word, but it’s not the same as being led by the Spirit. Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. (Acts 16:6) The Holy Spirit revealed to Paul and his companions not to go into Asia. My guess is the Spirit put an uncomfortable feeling in their hearts.
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. (John 16:13) We communicate with Christ through the Spirit, just as Paul did when the Spirit kept them from going into Asia. As we go through our day, we ask the Lord for his guidance, wisdom, strength, or whatever else we need at the time.
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8) If we desire to be led by Christ, we seek to follow the Spirit. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. (John 15:4) If we remain in Christ then he will remain in us. This verse tells us that we need to call on Christ if we desire to bear fruit. If we don’t depend on Christ to be with us and guide us, then by default we are depending on ourselves.
Today, be led by the Spirit and depend on Christ to guide your thoughts, words, emotions, and actions, especially when ministering to others. The more we depend on the guidance of Christ through the Spirit, the more guidance we will have, either through our thoughts or change of heart.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be guided by the Spirit as I go through my day. Keep changing my heart to become more dependent on your divine guidance. In Jesus’ name, Amen.