Text: Romans 6:14; 8:2

  14 For sin shall not have dominion over you:  for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 

Sunday, 28^th April 2024        

THE HOLY SPIRIT LEADS 2

Text: Romans 6:14; 8:2

Memory verse: Galatians 5: 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

The same meaning as yesterday of being led by the Spirit is found in Galatians 5: 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Everyone is either under grace or under the law. Christians are under grace. Everyone else is under the law. That is, they still stand under the law of God, and the judgment of God, for their disobedience to the law hangs over their heads. They have not come under grace and received the forgiveness of Christ. Most times believers begin to act like they are under the law. But when they submit to the Spirit, doing deeds of righteousness, instead of doing the sinful deeds of the flesh, they show by that, that they are under grace and not law. Once again, being led by the Spirit here means submitting to the Spirit’s guidance to avoid the deeds of the flesh and walk in the way of righteousness. It is very close to the notion of conscience. It is as if the Holy Spirit presses us to do what we know we should do. And when we submit to that pressure, we are following the leading of the Holy Spirit.

But these verses do not refer to what most Christians mean today when they talk about being led by the Spirit. It does not refer to being led by the Spirit in non-moral matters. What is ‘being led by the Spirit’ being contrasted with in these two passages (Galatians 5: 18 and Romans 8:14)? Being led by your own fleshly impulses. It refers to the battle between flesh and Spirit: that which is of the Spirit in us is in opposition with that which is of the flesh. In both contexts Paul is saying, "Don’t follow the sinful desires of the flesh but follow what the Spirit wants you to do, follow what the Spirit is moving you to do." This is what God also says in Ezekiel 36:27: "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances." The only times that the New Testament speaks of being led by the Spirit are.

Spiritual-Guidance, what then is Spiritual-guidance in non-moral issues? We know that the Spirit inspired the Scriptures and that He leads us into obedience of its instructions, but what does the Bible say about the Spirit giving guidance to individual Christians in the areas outside the commands of God in the Bible?  

Where God tells us to do things or we feel the Spirit is leading us to do that, in non-moral matters. For example, in Acts 8:29 And the Spirit said to Philip, "Go up and join this chariot." This clearly is prophecy; Philip would have sinned if he disobeyed. God still speaks through the Holy Spirit. What we are left with is the process of wisdom that is outlined in the Scripture, which is the application of Biblical principles to our lives, involving hard thought and wise counsel.

CGDS HYMN 29: SS&S 642:

WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD

1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of his Word
What a glory he sheds on our way
While we do his good will, he abides with us still
And with all who will trust and obey

Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey

2. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies
But his smile quickly drives it away
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh nor a tear
Can abide while we trust and obey

3. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share
But our toil he doth richly repay
Not a grief nor a loss, not a frown or a cross
But is blest if we trust and obey

4. But we never can prove the delights of his love
Until all on the altar we lay
For the favor he shows, and the joy he bestows
Are for them who will trust and obey

5. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at his feet
Or we will walk by his side in the way
What he says we will do, where he sends we will go
Never fear, only trust and obey

   Prayers:

1.  Holy Spirit, I depend on You, lead and instruct me into my destiny.

2.  LORD God Almighty, give me instruction, direction, and correction about everything in my life by Your Spirit in Jesus’ name. Amen.    

3.  for others in this regard.