Brethren, the mark of a true child of God is not just belief, it’s obedience born of the Spirit’s leading. Romans 8:14 declares, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” That is not a suggestion; it’s a divine test of identity. To be led by the Spirit is not an occasional nudge – it’s the daily proof that we belong to the Father.
Led by the Spirit Proves Sonship
The Spirit doesn’t drift or merely inspire – He directs. Jesus said in John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” Do you hear Him, friend? The Spirit of God’s Son within us cries, “Abba, Father” (Galatians 4:6). That cry is not ritual – it’s the sound of relationship.
God promised in Ezekiel 36:27, “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes.” You see, the Spirit doesn’t just tell you what’s right – He gives you power to do it. Without that leading, religion is noise, but with it, life becomes a holy march of obedience.
Led by the Spirit, Not Under the Law
Galatians 5:18 says, “But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.” Why? Because the Spirit writes God’s will within. Jeremiah 31:33 foretold it: “I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts.”
The Spirit frees us from the external weight of rules and leads us into the liberty of love. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Corinthians 3:17). And Romans 7:6 reminds us that “we serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.” The Spirit doesn’t loosen obedience – He transforms it. Not duty, but desire. Not pressure, but power.
“Thy Good Spirit Lead Me”
Psalm 143:10 cries, “Teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God: Thy Spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.” That’s not a casual prayer – it’s the confession of a soul that knows its need. David longed for holy direction, not self-determination.
Psalm 23:3 says, “He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” Have you asked the Lord to order your steps? Psalm 119:133 pleads, “Order my steps in Thy word.” When God’s Spirit leads, even a crooked path becomes straight.
The Spirit Instructed Israel in the Wilderness
Nehemiah 9:20 says, “Thou gavest also Thy good Spirit to instruct them.” Even in the barren wilderness, the Spirit was their teacher. The same One who led them by a pillar of cloud and fire (Exodus 13:21) now leads His people by truth and conviction. Isaiah 63:11–14 shows us the tender care of the Spirit: “The Spirit of the Lord caused them to rest.” And Paul confirms in 1 Corinthians 10:4 that “the Rock that followed them was Christ.” The Spirit that led Israel then, leads the church now. The journey changes, but the Guide does not.
The Spirit Leads in the Way to Profit
Isaiah 48:17 thunders, “I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.” God’s Spirit never leads into loss—only into life. Proverbs 3:5–6 tells us to “trust in the Lord with all thine heart” and promises, “He shall direct thy paths.”
Psalm 32:8 echoes His faithful voice: “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go.” Even Deuteronomy 8:2 reminds us that God led Israel through testing, “to humble thee, and to prove thee.” The Spirit’s leading may not always be comfortable, but it’s always profitable.
The Spirit Guides into All Truth
Jesus promised in John 16:13, “When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth.” That’s not partial truth, not convenient truth – all truth. The Spirit never leads apart from the Word. John 14:26 says He “shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance.”
The Spirit’s teaching is not mystical confusion – it’s holy revelation. 1 John 2:27 declares, “The anointing… teacheth you of all things.” And Paul adds in 1 Corinthians 2:10–12 that “the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” When the Spirit leads, ignorance flees.
The Spirit’s Direction in Obedience
Acts 8:29 says, “Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.” Notice the clarity – Go. Not maybe. Not later. The Spirit’s direction is specific, and Philip obeyed. Likewise, Jesus Himself was “led by the Spirit into the wilderness” (Luke 4:1). When Peter hesitated about Cornelius, the Spirit told him in Acts 10:19–20, “Go with them, doubting nothing.” Acts 11:12 repeats it: “The Spirit bade me go with them.” True obedience listens and moves when the Spirit speaks.
When the Spirit Says “Not Yet”
Acts 16:6 tells us the Spirit “forbade them to preach the word in Asia.” Surprising? Not every closed door means defeat. Sometimes obedience means waiting. Proverbs 16:9 explains, “A man’s heart deviseth his way, but the Lord directeth his steps.” Later in Acts 16:9–10, God redirected Paul to Macedonia. It wasn’t rejection – it was redirection. 1 Samuel 15:22 reminds us, “To obey is better than sacrifice.” True sons obey even the “no.”
The Spirit Calls and Commissions
Acts 13:2 says, “The Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.” The Spirit not only leads, He appoints. He sets apart, He equips, He sends. Acts 20:28 confirms, “The Holy Ghost hath made you overseers.”
The call is not man’s idea – it’s God’s command. 1 Corinthians 12:11 adds that the Spirit “divideth to every man severally as He will.” Luke 24:49 seals it: “Tarry ye… until ye be endued with power from on high.” Obedience without power fails, but power without obedience corrupts. The Spirit gives both.
The Spirit Directs Prophetic Action
Ezekiel 11:5 says, “And the Spirit of the Lord fell upon me, and said unto me, Speak.” When the Spirit comes, silence is not an option. Ezekiel 2:2 records, “The Spirit entered into me when He spake unto me.”
Micah 3:8 boldly declares, “Truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord.” And Peter reminds us in 2 Peter 1:21, “Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” The Spirit not only gives words – He gives weight to those words.
Closing Call
The Holy Spirit doesn’t lead us around sin – He leads us into obedience. Into the heart of God’s will. Into the likeness of Christ. Into the holiness that proves sonship. Brethren, the question is not whether the Spirit speaks – the question is whether we follow. The mark of a true son or daughter of God is not information but transformation.
So let the cry rise from every heart: “Spirit of the living God, lead me.”
Not just today, but every day.
Not just into blessing, but into obedience.
For where the Spirit leads, there we find life.
Call to Action: The Question That Demands an AnswerIn Acts 2:37 Peter and the Apostles were asked the question – What Shall We do? And in Acts 2:38 Peter answered, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Do you understand this? After hearing the gospel and believing, they asked what should would do. The answer hasn’t changed friend, Peter clearly gave the answer. The question for you today is, Have you receieved the Holy Spirit Since you believed? If you’re ready to take that step, or you want to learn more about what it means to be born again of water and Spirit, visit: Come, and let the Spirit make you new. |