B-A-C
Loyal
- Joined
- Dec 18, 2008
- Messages
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Being Led by the Spirit.
I think this is an important topic. But yet it isn't mentioned that often in the Bible.
In fact, the phrase "Led by the Spirit" only appears four times in the New Testament.
In Matt 4:1; it says Jesus was "led by the Spirit" into the wilderness to be tested by the devil.
I find it amazing that the Holy Spirit would lead us into places to be tempted.
But personally, I think those times of testing are what reveals what our heart is. Not
necessarily to God (He already knows) but to us.
In Luke 4:1; we see something similar. It says Jesus was "led by the Spirit" in the wilderness.
So obviously, even Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit sometimes.
In Rom 8:12-17; we see the famous discourse about not living in the flesh.
Rom 8:14;For all who are being led buy the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Some think that just because they are a Christian... they are automatically always led by the Spirit
to do everything. But I notice even though the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted,
the Spirit never told Jesus to yield to the temptation.
The Holy Spirit may lead us to places of temptation, but the Holy Spirit will never tell us to sin.
The Holy Spirit doesn't force us to do things. He persuades us. He leads us. But the Holy Spirit
can be resisted. ( Acts 7:51; ) Just because the Spirit may want us to do something, doesn't mean
we always do it.
In fact, every single time we sin... you can be sure it isn't the Holy Spirit causing you to sin.
Everytime you feel a little guilt about the sin you are about to commit, and you do it anyway...
you are resisting the Holy Spirit. ( 1 Cor 10:13; James 1:13; )
The Holy Spirit may lead us to be tempted (by Satan for example) but the Holy Spirit Himself
does not cause us to sin ( James 1:13; )
The last place we see the phrase "led by the Spirit" is in Gal 5:18;
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
This is a true statement... however, if you're reisting the Holy Spirit and committing a sin
that you know you shouldn't do. You obviously aren't being led by the Spirit at that moment.
In Gal 5:16-24; we see a great comparison between the flesh and the Spirit.
It says these two things are in opposition against each other all of the time.
Then it goes on to say.. here are the deeds of the flesh... this is how you can tell if
someone is led by the flesh.
immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, emnities, strife, jealousy, anger, disputes,
factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and such.
There are a few people here on TJ, (and in some churches I have visited) that claim to be led
by the Spirit, yet these are usually the people involved in the most arguments, the most disputes,
the most strife. Almost every single thread has several posts by some of these people arguing
with almost everyone else on that thread.
There are other's who claim to be "Spirit led" Christians, who are immoral and have given in to sensuality
(fornication, adultery, pornography, lust).
There are even some who claim to be Christians, but who have a lifestyle of going out and getting drunk
frequently and hanging out with partiers. One of the deeds of the flesh above is "sorcery". This
comes from a word called "pharmakeia" which is where we get the word Pharmacy or drug store. Now I believe
taking prescription medication is fine with God. But if we are taking drugs for the purpose of altering
our mental state, this is a deed of the flesh. If you aren't in control of your mind, satan is.
It goes on the say in verses 22 and 23.. these are the fruit of the Spirit.
I notice it says "fruit" (singular) not fruits (plural). It's all one fruit. You don't have some of
these "fruits" and not some of the other "fruits". It's all one fruit. You have it, or you don't.
Eph 4:25-32 talks about how to treat one another in the Spirit.
speaking truth, not stealing, getting rid of bitterness, wrath, anger, slander and malice.
It says be kind to one another... tender hearted, forgiving.
It says not doing these things can grieve the Holy Spirit. Obviously if you are being "led" by the
Holy Spirit, you wouldn't be causing Him grief.
I think this is an important topic. But yet it isn't mentioned that often in the Bible.
In fact, the phrase "Led by the Spirit" only appears four times in the New Testament.
In Matt 4:1; it says Jesus was "led by the Spirit" into the wilderness to be tested by the devil.
I find it amazing that the Holy Spirit would lead us into places to be tempted.
But personally, I think those times of testing are what reveals what our heart is. Not
necessarily to God (He already knows) but to us.
In Luke 4:1; we see something similar. It says Jesus was "led by the Spirit" in the wilderness.
So obviously, even Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit sometimes.
In Rom 8:12-17; we see the famous discourse about not living in the flesh.
Rom 8:14;For all who are being led buy the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Some think that just because they are a Christian... they are automatically always led by the Spirit
to do everything. But I notice even though the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted,
the Spirit never told Jesus to yield to the temptation.
The Holy Spirit may lead us to places of temptation, but the Holy Spirit will never tell us to sin.
The Holy Spirit doesn't force us to do things. He persuades us. He leads us. But the Holy Spirit
can be resisted. ( Acts 7:51; ) Just because the Spirit may want us to do something, doesn't mean
we always do it.
In fact, every single time we sin... you can be sure it isn't the Holy Spirit causing you to sin.
Everytime you feel a little guilt about the sin you are about to commit, and you do it anyway...
you are resisting the Holy Spirit. ( 1 Cor 10:13; James 1:13; )
The Holy Spirit may lead us to be tempted (by Satan for example) but the Holy Spirit Himself
does not cause us to sin ( James 1:13; )
The last place we see the phrase "led by the Spirit" is in Gal 5:18;
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
This is a true statement... however, if you're reisting the Holy Spirit and committing a sin
that you know you shouldn't do. You obviously aren't being led by the Spirit at that moment.
In Gal 5:16-24; we see a great comparison between the flesh and the Spirit.
It says these two things are in opposition against each other all of the time.
Then it goes on to say.. here are the deeds of the flesh... this is how you can tell if
someone is led by the flesh.
immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, emnities, strife, jealousy, anger, disputes,
factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and such.
There are a few people here on TJ, (and in some churches I have visited) that claim to be led
by the Spirit, yet these are usually the people involved in the most arguments, the most disputes,
the most strife. Almost every single thread has several posts by some of these people arguing
with almost everyone else on that thread.
There are other's who claim to be "Spirit led" Christians, who are immoral and have given in to sensuality
(fornication, adultery, pornography, lust).
There are even some who claim to be Christians, but who have a lifestyle of going out and getting drunk
frequently and hanging out with partiers. One of the deeds of the flesh above is "sorcery". This
comes from a word called "pharmakeia" which is where we get the word Pharmacy or drug store. Now I believe
taking prescription medication is fine with God. But if we are taking drugs for the purpose of altering
our mental state, this is a deed of the flesh. If you aren't in control of your mind, satan is.
It goes on the say in verses 22 and 23.. these are the fruit of the Spirit.
I notice it says "fruit" (singular) not fruits (plural). It's all one fruit. You don't have some of
these "fruits" and not some of the other "fruits". It's all one fruit. You have it, or you don't.
Eph 4:25-32 talks about how to treat one another in the Spirit.
speaking truth, not stealing, getting rid of bitterness, wrath, anger, slander and malice.
It says be kind to one another... tender hearted, forgiving.
It says not doing these things can grieve the Holy Spirit. Obviously if you are being "led" by the
Holy Spirit, you wouldn't be causing Him grief.
