The Spirit Leads We Follow

 DEVOTION

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

THE SPIRIT LEADS WE FOLLOW

Acts 16:6-10

6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

NIV

This is what it means to be led by the Spirit. No, do not go there, stop, not there either, but I will show you where to go. That is this narrative in a nutshell. Being led by the Spirit is the way of life for any believer, yet we wonder how much we listen and follow His leading. We know His leading is important in spiritual matters, as to where we are supposed to be preaching the gospel message, or at least where we are supposed to gather together with other believers. What church should we be in? What should we be doing to serve the Lord? But that also means where we should not be, or what we should not be doing in an area of service. Paul was restricted from going into the province of Asia. We are not told whether he asked the Spirit why, but we know he was obedient and did not enter either Asia or Bithynia, yet the Spirit gave him a clear sign that he was supposed to go to Macedonia. Could we also know just where we are supposed to be, as to what city we should live in, or where is the home the Spirit directed us to? If we are being led by the Spirit, then every aspect of our lives should come under obedience to Him. How can we decide where to go and what to do? If we were making our own decisions, we would be operating in the flesh, which is both weak and corruptible, so we would make mistakes in our choices. That is not to say we cannot choose the clothes we wear, or what food to buy, or what color to paint, or any of those small things in life we may need. But it is our lives themselves that must come under the leadership of the Spirit. Where doesn't He want us to be, what doesn't He want us to do? Where does He want us? What does He want us to do? This is all about following where the Spirit leads.