Children of God can learn how they can be led by the Holy Spirit, instead of being directed by their circumstances, their senses or even by other people. One cannot claim to be a child of God if he is not led by the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:14 says, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”
When you are led by the Spirit of God, you follow God’s plan for your life, instead of following your own plan or the plan of your counsellors, peers, guardians or even parents. In order to obey God, you have to learn to be led by the Holy Spirit. You must surrender yourself to be led. Psalm 32:8, 9 (NKJV) says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with my eye. Do not be like the horse or like the mule, which have no understanding, which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, else they will not come near you.” If you don’t understand what the Lord is saying to your spirit, you’ll have some difficulty in following His plan and purpose for your life. But happy is he who follows the leading of the Holy Spirit.
We must understand that God contacts us, relates and deals with us through our spirit. God is a Spirit and man is also a spirit being. John 4:24 (NKJV) says, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” God is not a physical being and so does not respond to the call of the flesh. He is not a mind and so does not respond to the call of the mind – intellect and emotions. He deals with us through our spirit.
Man is a spirit, he has a soul (mind, will and emotions) and he lives in a body. He is a triune being. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NKJV) says, “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
It is the spirit man or the inward man of a believer that hears what the Spirit of God is saying. Romans 8:16 (NKJV) says, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” You cannot feel the presence of God because feeling is a function of the flesh, and the unregenerate mind cannot receive from God. That is why Romans 2:2 (NKJV) says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
The Holy Spirit guides us through our spirit to direct us to God’s will for our lives. He dwells in our spirit and communicates with us through the spirit and not through the mind or body. It is only through the Holy Spirit’s guidance that we can fulfil God’s plan and purpose for our lives.
We are individually responsible for discerning the Lord’s leading for ourselves. We do not need or depend on our pastors, counsellors, guardians, teachers, parents, or friends to discern God’s leading and plan for our lives. When you depend on yourself to understand God’s will for your life, you’re spiritually powerful. However, many spiritually weak Christians depend on other people for their guidance and leading. They do not exercise their rights and privileges as children of God. These third parties can be relevant only in confirming what the Holy Spirit has already revealed to you.
Christians who do not exercise the power of the Holy Spirit are spiritually weak. Holy Spirit is a gift of God to His children and one may decide not to use the gift at all, or use it partially. For instance, many years ago when I attended a conference in Dallas, USA, a very good friend gave me some gifts which included a shaving set. I kept that shaving set for many years without using it until I gave it out to another person.
The Holy Spirit is our Helper, Comforter, Teacher and Guide, but if you don’t ask for His services, He will remain dormant. He will not impose Himself on you. I have often engaged the Holy Spirit as my business consultant, instead of paying so-called experts. One thing is obvious. No one can do for you what the Holy Spirit should do for you.
