THE HOLY SPIRIT and SONSHIP Devotion 14 of 30 NOT A REFERENCE TO SCRIPTURE The leading of the Spirit does not refer to the Scriptures themselves, as some suppose. It is true that He always directs men according to the Scriptures, and in strict harmony with the revealed purpose of God. There is no question about this. However, this is not the point of our text. This is a personal guidance, where the individual is directly impacted by the influence of the Holy Spirit. GUIDANCE FROM WITHIN This Direction occurs WITHIN the believer, not external to his person. This is where the Holy spirit has been sent by God. As it is written, "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father" (Gal 4:6). And again, "Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts" (2 Cor 1:22). This takes place in fulfillment of the prophecy of Ezekiel: "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them" (Ezek 36:27, NKJV). And again, "I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live" (Ezek 37:14). – Tomorrow:
"Therefore, brethren, we are debtors; not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 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 as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together." (Romans 8:12-17, NKJV)
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God."
Some contemporary versions read "guided by the Spirit of God" (BBE,NJB), and "being led by the Spirit of God" (NASB). Again, the involvement of the individual is assumed, for no one can be "led," directed, or guided, against their will or without their involvement. The Holy Spirit does not coerce people, but leads them. They are not forced into certain paths of life, but guided in them. Leading assumes effectiveness on the part of the Spirit, and willingness on the part of the ones being led. If either of these is not true, the leading cannot occur.
The word "led," as you might expect, is not a casual one. It indicates an aggressive, though not coercive, stance. The idea is that the Spirit is leading us where HE is going, which is the primary meaning of the word: "to lead, or take with one." The Holy Spirit never leads someone in a path He Himself is not walking! He never steps out of the will of God to guide individuals. While it should not be necessary to say this, the current religious climate demands that I do so. Those who live out of harmony with the revealed will of God are not being led by the Holy Spirit. Any and every action that is in conflict with the purpose of God has been wrought independently of the Spirit's influence.
To be "led by the Spirit" is to be brought to a Divinely appointed destination. It is to be conducted in the way of life through the personal guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Let there be no ambiguity about the kind of leading being referenced. This is speaking about putting to death the deeds of the body. It is not speaking about buying houses and lands, accumulating wealth, or determining an earthly vocation! Those who are not subduing the flesh are not being led by the Holy Spirit, regardless of their laudable works. The earthly personal interests of the individual are not the basis of the Spirit's leading or direction.
There are some who emphatically deny this to be the case. Unfortunately, these advocates are largely part of the religious movement with which I was identified. These affirm the Spirit works "only through the Word," although such an expression is not found in God's Word. Therefore, its meaning is open to question, for the phrase itself is of human origin, and is designed to support a human perception of the working of God. Our blessed Lord was "LED BY THE SPIRIT into the wilderness," to be tempted by the devil (Matt 4:1). That was certainly not done "through the Scriptures," but in harmony with them. Let it be clear, the leading of the Spirit is never in contradiction of Scripture. The Spirit never leads into territories not revealed in Scripture, or that cannot be explained by Scripture. Yet, His leading is personal, and thus effective. There may be aspects of the subduing of your flesh that are not specifically outlined in Scripture, but the subduing itself will be in strict accord with the Word of God.
The Holy Spirit is actually leading men into uprightness, or a life that is in harmony with the nature of God. As it is written, "Teach me to do Thy will; for Thou art my God: Thy Spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness" (Psa 143:10). How wonderfully the desire is stated!
The Holy Spirit, then, working from within our hearts, and in harmony with the human spirit, guides us in the subduing of the sinful nature, or the mortification of the deeds of the body (Col 3:5). Wherever success is realized in this sacred work, the Holy Spirit has led. Wherever success is not realized, He has been quenched, for this is His appointed work.
PRAYER POINT: Father, I know there are things in me that need to be subdued and put to death. I thank You for giving me the Holy Spirit to direct me in accomplishing this work. Grant me grace never to quench or grieve Him, or resist the way in which He is leading me.