Led By The Spirit
I obeyed the gospel here at the church in Howell at a Gospel Meeting in 1972. It was at that point the Holy Spirit came to dwell with me. I know this by faith from the Word of God. It tells me so in Acts 2:38 and many other places. Did I just automatically learn from that point how to be "led by the Spirit." All one has to do is look at my life to see that the answer is definitely NO! To tell the truth, I was afraid of that phrase "led by the Spirit." I seem to have the thought instilled in me that to use that term would turn me into a "Pentecostal", or a "charasmatic", or something. Somehow, I also felt that to use this phrase would be turning my back on Jesus. I couldn't have both, it had to be one or the other. I have since learned from the Word of God that is not true. Jesus told His disciples in Jn. 14:16: "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever--the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him or knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you." I have learned that the word "another" in the Greek language is allos (sp). It means "another of the very same kind." Notice what Jesus said, "he lives with you and will be in you." (empasis mine) The morning I discovered those words it was like a light turned on in my mind. The Holy Spirit was WITH them through the Person of Jesus. But there would be a time when He would be IN them! I have had the thought "Oh, how wonderful it would have been to have walked this earth with Jesus. If I could have done that I could truly walk this christian life" But Jesus lets me know later in Jn. 16:7: "But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you" In the past few months Romans 8 has been a constant source of inspiration to me. This passage teaches me how to "be led by the Spirit," and the importance of this in my life. In verse 9 the Holy Spirit is called the "Spirit of God." In that same verse He is referred to as "the Spirit of Christ." That solved my fear that I had to accept one or the another. As Jesus and the Father are One, so also is the Holy Spirit also. In verse 13 I found the key to freedom from drugs and alcohol. This verse tells me that "...if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body you will live." I had been trying to do it myself for years. Now I rely on the Spirit who dwells in me to put that carnal nature to death. How? I ask Him! I don't fully understand yet just how it works, but all I can tell you is that it works. As I allow my mind to be controlled by the Spirit (I was once afraid of that too), I find the life and peace that is promised in Romans 8:6. I have been diagnosed as "bi-polar." Since the night I asked the elders to pray for me and annoint me with oil (Hey it's in the Word - Jas. 5:14), I have been able to stay off those psycotrophic drugs which made me feel like a zombie. Oh, they helped with the "voices" but they also robbed me of all of the feelings which God gave to us. I felt like my head was filled with concrete. Some of you can testify to this. Since I have claimed this verse and allowed my mind to be controlled by od's Spirit, I haven't had to rely on the inventions of man to do this. It has made a huge difference in my life. As I allow the Spirit to guikde me in deeper truth through study of God's Word, I find my life changing every day. Romans:14 tells us "Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." m I feel like that "new creation" spoken of in II Cor. 5:17. I feel a deeper love and appreciation for my brothers and sisters in Christ. Both here at Howell, and all over the world. I feel the fellowship with God that He mean't for us to have since the Garden of Eden. Living the Spirt-led life is exciting!!