Being Led By the Spirit

Rom 8:14

Recognizing the Spirit’s Leading.

One of the most visible workings of the Holy Spirit, to guide and lead God’s people.

We see the Spirit leading God’s people throughout the scriptures:

When God delivered out of Egypt, the Spirit led Israel in the wilderness by a cloud by day and fire by night.

Philip in Acts 8, directly leading him to witness to the Ethiopian, then carrying him away to Caesarea.

Acts 16:6 - Paul, Silas, and Timothy, were forbidden by the Spirit to speak the word in Asia…kept from going to Mysia, in order that they might hear the call to Macedonia.

What it doesn’t look like to be led by the Spirit.

The phone call in college:

“Unless the Holy Spirit’s name is Doug, I don’t think that’s who she was talking to.”

Randomly picking a bible verse

1 Chron 10:4- Saul said to his armor bearer, “Draw your sword and thrust me through…”

If you live by random verses, you’ll get random answers

That gut feeling telling you what to do—

9 of 10 your only listening to yourself

Looking for a sign in the heavens -

You’ll read anything you want into the sign

What it looks like to be led by the Spirit.

The Spirit leads us to repentance

As we’ve considered the work of the Holy Spirit, we’ve seen that it is the Spirit who brings us from death to life. The first thing the Spirit does to those who have been brought to life is to show them their need for a savior, to open their eyes to their sin and despair. This sight is impossible without the Spirit.

The Holy Spirit leads us out of captivity, out of darkness, and into freedom and the light

The Spirit leads us to deeper faith and trust in Christ

The Holy Spirit shows us who Christ is

A deeper knowledge of Christ

The Holy Spirit unites us to Christ

A deeper love and need for Christ

The Spirit brings you into the state of grace, that is done but once; then the Spirit guides you in the state of grace, and that is daily… The Spirit makes you a child of God, then makes you to see that you are a child of God.

The Spirit leads us in holiness

Gal 5 - Being led by the Spirit frees a person from the enslaving power of the law

Before Christ, you were led astray by mute idols (1 Cor 12:2), but the Spirt has set you free.

The Spirit leads us to mortify sin; Putting to death the old man, growing as the adopted sons and daughters of God.

The Spirit leads, also, by inclining the heart, shaping the will, to turn from evil and learn to do good.

Rom 8:13 - If you live according to the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body… for those led by the Spirit are the Sons of God.

To be “led by the Spirit ” is to live under the blessed guidance and conduct of the Spirit.

Jn 16:13 - he will guide you into all truth

Ps 23:3 - he leads me in paths of righteousness

The Spirit Leads the Children of God

Who the Spirit Leads

If the Spirit of God hasn’t entered you, you are not God’s son, just as you do not belong to Christ. This is helpful, as it reminds us that the “equation” operates the other way round, too; if you, by faith, belong to Christ, you are a son of God, and have his Spirit. Tim Keller

If you are led to repentance, to a genuine sorrow for your sin, and to a deepening trust in Christ, you are being led by the Spirit - rejoice

The assurance of salvation - God leads his children, those who have been born of the Spirit are led by the Spirit

Illustration of a traveling guide -

Those who are born again have the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit, calling us Christ-ward

Where the Spirit Leads

The Spirit led God’s people into the promised land, into Christ, into glory

Led into the rest of the promised land - Heb 3

Led into greater life in Christ

The Spirit may not tell you which college to attend, or which job to take, or who to marry. But whatever the situation you face, the Spirit will lead you, showing you how to honor God in the choices you face; how to see Christ as preeminent in every relationship and choice in your life.

Applying the truth of God’s word into every situation - sharing the word of Christ to those around us - hearing with Spiritual ears, seeing with Spiritual eyes, and responding as the Spirit leads

Led into Glory

We are led by the keeping, preserving, and securing work of the Holy Spirit

Barnhouse - God never started anything that He did not finish. There will be no loose ends hanging around in the government of God. There will be no lost members of the Body of Christ, and no vacant places at the banquet table of Heaven.

How to be Led by the Spirit

If you want to be led by the Spirit, read God’s Word

The Spirit will never lead you apart from the word

The Spirit will never lead you away from the word

Ps 119:105, 133 - Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path… Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.

The written revelation of God’s will is the Christian’s great rule, the compass by which in all things he must steer his course, the star that must direct him in all his motions.

If you want to be led by the Spirit, Pray

It is Biblical to pray for the leading of the Holy Spirit

Ps 25:5 Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.

Ps 5:8 Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.

Ps 139: 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

Ps 143:10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!

Seek those full of the Spirit

There are men and women surrounding you, who have walked with the Spirit of God through their life, and they are here to show you the way

1 Cor 11:1 - Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ

Heb 13:7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

Serve

Leading implies following -

Ninety per cent of knowing the will of God consists in being willing to do the will of God before we know what it is.

God leads us into the world, not out of it

God will lead you out of worldliness, but not out of the world.

The Spirit will lead you to forsake sin and live in righteousness, so that you may shine as lights in this darkened world.

You are not led into seclusion, but led into the public eye.

Matt 5:15-16 People don’t light a lamp and put it under a basked, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house… let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

You are to live your life right in the market place, right in the apartment, right in work, school, office, and factory!

The Lord leads His children to face every desperate situation that any of the children of wrath are forced to face, and yet to know that they can meet every such situation in the victory of Christ.