Being Led By The Spirit

Scripture has much to say about the notion of being led by the Spirit. We see Jesus at the start of his earthly ministry being led by the Spirit; who was with him when he was tempted by Satan in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1). The enemy hammered away at our Lord with temptation after temptation to misuse his godly power. Christ countered the lies of the enemy by stating the truths of Scripture (v. 4, 7 & 10).

The same Spirit that ministered to Jesus in the wilderness is the same Spirit that He promised to his disciples (John 14:26, 15:26, 16:7) to teach them and help them. The same Spirit available to them is actively working in our lives as well. Don't miss the significance of being led by the Spirit. The enemy came at Jesus when he was fasting; undoubtedly trying to attack him at his weakest moment. The evil one's tactics haven't changed--he will attack you at your weakest moments as well. When you are hungry. When you are angry. When you are lonely. When you are tired. These are the times we need our Helper.

In Romans 8, the Apostle Paul explains the many benefits of being led by the spirit. The Spirit gives us the mindset of God (v. 5) and enables us to live in peace (v. 6). The Spirit keeps us free from the bondage of sin (v. 8-10) and identifies us as children of God (v. 14-17). The Spirit helps us in our weakness and even intercedes in prayer on our behalf (v. 26-27).

We cannot do the will of God apart from the help of the Holy Spirit. We cannot overcome our natural tendency to sin apart from the help of the Holy Spirit. We cannot comprehend the amazing truths of the Bible apart from illumination by the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:16 says walk in the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. The Spirit is here, ready to lead us. Going solo is a bad option.