Pastor’s Corner

A collection of articles written by Pastor Matt Leopold that appear in the monthly Connection newsletter.

How Does the Holy Spirit Lead?
Posted by Administrator (admin) on Jun 28 2011
PASTOR'S CORNER >> The Holy Spirit

This question is real and significant for every child of God.  We should all recognize the great reality of the indwelling Spirit in our lives.  The moment we put our trust in Jesus, the Holy Spirit came and brought God’s eternal life to us.  Thus we have assurance of our relationship with God as Paul says, “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:16).

But how does the Holy Spirit lead? It may seem at times that He doesn’t, particularly if you live a defeated life or struggle to overcome patterns of sin in your life.  Many find it difficult to come out of the tangled world they live in.  Others continue to live like citizens of this world in their pursuits and interests.  There’s much worry today concerning the things of this life.  How can we experience the abundant life that Jesus brings?  By understanding what the Bible says about God’s leading. 

Know first that God is sovereign in His leading and direction.  This fundamental truth has been demonstrated since the beginning of time.  God orchestrates every event in the universe.  Consider Isaiah 14:27, “For the LORD of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it? And as for His stretched-out hand, who can turn it back?.”  Paul writes in Ephesians 1:11 that God “works all things after the counsel of His will.”  God actually leads and directs all things.

What about sin and evil?  We read Scripture in vain if we fail to discover that the actions of men, evil and good, are governed by God.  God does not commit evil, nor cause evil but He will ultimately use the evil of this world to bring glory to Himself.

Take for instance Nimrod and his fellow servants in Genesis.  They were determined to build a tower for themselves and God frustrated their plans for His glory.  Joseph’s brothers were determined to destroy him but he realizes that what they meant for evil, God meant for good.  The greatest example of God’s sovereignty is seen in the events that took Jesus to the cross.  Acts 2:23 indicates that the cross was part of the “predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God.”  He used the evil of that dreadful day to glorify Himself and accomplish His marvelous plan of redemption.

Beyond His sovereign leading, God leads His children in 2 specific ways. First He plants in our hearts a new law.  There is a new law or principle operating in the lives of God’s children.  It is called “the law of the Spirit of life” (Romans 8:2).  A law is that which exercises control and authority over a person.  For unbelievers, the law of sin and its penalty exercises control over them resulting in condemnation and judgment which brings death.

The believer is set free from this law because of a new law that controls him.  Every believer has been given permanent freedom and deliverance from sin’s power and penalty.  The Holy Spirit implants a new nature, a new desire and a new ability to obey God.  This new inclination inside you causes you to desire the things you never did before.  Before, the desire to honor Christ was a contradiction to your nature.  Now, because of the new law within you, you have those bold desires.  These desires express themselves in the following ways.  One desire is to have a strong interest in the things of God.  A.W. Tozer comments in his book Golden-Calf Christianity, “One can only conclude that God's professed children are bored with Him, for they must be wooed to meeting with a stick of striped candy in the form of religious movies, games and refreshments. It is scarcely possible in most places to get anyone to attend a meeting where the only attraction is God.”  If the Spirit is leading you, your desires for the things of God will increase and intensify.

Another desire will be to do things that are holy and righteous.  Romans 8:3-6 indicates those with the old law put their minds on the things of the flesh.  Not so with those being led by the Spirit.  A third desire will be to love God and fellow believers.  Finally, there will be a desire to serve God in His church.

Secondly, God leads us by opening our eyes to understand His Word.  The guidance God gives to shape our lives is primarily the pressure He applies on our consciences of the portrayal of God’s character and His will in Scripture.  God instills in us basic convictions, attitudes, ideals and values by which we are to live.  But the Holy Spirit opens our eyes to see the character of God and what He desires in His people (c.f. Ephesians 1:17-19).

In this manner, the Holy Spirit leads us as we understand His holy Word.  As David says, “Turn from evil and do good” (Psalm 37:13).

J.I. Packer says, “that is the highway along which the Bible is concerned to lead us, and all its admonitions are concerned to keep us on it.”

Know finally, that the Holy Spirit will always lead and only lead according to the teaching of Scripture.  You will never have a prompting from Him to do what is contrary to God’s Word.  As you embrace His leading, may you grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Pastor Matt

Last changed: Jun 29 2011 at 3:01 PM

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