In the summer of 1978, I was 21 years old and had been a Christian for 4 years. I was growing in my relationship with God and growing in my knowledge of Him.
During that time I was driving to go to lunch one day and without thinking much I pulled into where a little Christian Bookstore was located. I went in and told the lady behind the counter that I was just going to look around. As I stood there staring at the few dark aisles, I saw what seemed to be a light shining on a book on the top shelf in the back and went to check it out. The book was How You Can Be Led by the Spirit of God by Kenneth E. Hagin. At that point, I’d heard him on the radio but didn’t know much else about him. I bought a copy and read it that evening, then went back and bought the other 5 copies they had to give to friends. That book changed my life!
In the book I read about different ways the Spirit could and would lead me. I had never heard of anything like it, I didn’t understand it all, and I wanted to know more. I didn’t want to miss out on this anymore. As I prayed about some of these things, I heard the words on the inside of me: “I am going to teach you how to be led by My Spirit”. I certainly did begin to learn some things, but like anything, it took a lot of practice. Thankfully I had a patient Teacher!
If you are struggling to understand something, or feel like you’re missing something, the Holy Spirit is here to help. He is our Comforter and our Guide. He is ever present to help us in any area of life. Know that it is possible for you to be led by the Spirit of God. Where does He lead you?
The Spirit leads us into a deeper relationship with God.
Through the Holy Spirit, we understand how much God loves us — He made a way for us to become His children. Knowing and experiencing His love for us, builds our trust in Him and strengthens our faith.
Romans 5:5 - "For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love” (NLT).
Romans 8:14 and 16 - “All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God… for His Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children” (NLT).
The Sprit leads us into a greater understanding of all that the Lord has provided for us through Jesus.
Before His crucifixion and departure, Jesus knew there were many things His disciples didn’t understand yet, couldn’t handle yet, and still needed to learn. He promised the Holy Spirit would come to help and teach them. We see through Acts and the Epistles that the Holy Spirit was doing just that.
John 14:26 - “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you” (NKJV).
1 Corinthians 2:10 and 12 - “It was to us that God revealed [His plan in Jesus] by His Spirit… We have received God’s Spirit…, so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us” (NLT).
The Spirit leads us in what we do and where we go.
His leading might just be, “It seems right” or “It seems good”.
Acts 15: 33-34 - “…It seemed good to Silas to remain there” (NKJV).
Luke 1:3-4 - “… It seemed good to me… to write to you an orderly account that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed” (NKJV).
Silas knew where to be and Luke knew what to do through an “it seemed good.” This is often a better way to express God’s leading than, “God said” or “God told me”. Can that happen? Sure, but it's the exception and not the ordinary way He will work with us.
For me and Michelle, every major move in our life happened in peace because it just seemed right. We have practiced and experienced this so many times that it began to come more naturally.
Remember that He will never lead us outside the bounds of His Word. So let this year be a time with Him and in His Word. Let’s not miss out on a deeper relationship with Him, a greater understanding of all He has provided for you, and in what to do and where to go. It will impact you to impact others.
Check out the book How You Can Be Led by the Spirit of God (English):
Give towards the translation and publication of this book and others (Greater European Book Project)