LED BY THE SPIRIT

"Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." (Romans 8:12-17)

Devotion 4 of 20

SOME WAYS ONLY SEEM RIGHT

There are ways that appear to be right, but are not. These are the ways of the devil, and they will snare every unsuspecting soul. Satan showed Eve a way that seemed to be right in Eden, but it was not. In spite of the inspired record of that event, many continued to be deluded into self-trust by the adversary. Hear the word of the Lord. "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Prov 14:12). The "ways of death" are pathways that appear to be for our good, but which actually eventuate in separation from the Living God.

Without being unduly mysterious, every decision you make will be from within the crucible of conflict. You will be confronted with right ways, and ways that "seem" to be right. Life, with all of its conflicts and complexities, often compounds our decisions. It is then that divine direction becomes precious. It is tragic to embrace a theology that leaves you on your own during these times. The knowledge that we possess is not sufficient to direct us through the "valley of decision" (Joel 3:14). The reason for this situation should be obvious. Our knowledge is not the only thing involved. There are emotion, preference, will, and the fluctuating posture of the soul. The only thing that is absolutely reliable is our faith--and that cannot stand in knowledge or any other human faculty. Faith is in God. The possession of that faith makes us directable.

Firm steps

Firm steps are stable ones that keep the individual from sliding backward. Solidity in spiritual life is uncommon in our time, but it does not need to be. It is possible to "stand" without having to constantly retrace our steps. This is the point of the following expression; "Our steps are made firm by the LORD, when He delights in our way" (Psa 37:23, NRSV). The King James Version states it this way, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and He delighteth in his way." The NASB translation puts it this way; "The steps of a man are established by the LORD." The RSV has a little different slant; "The steps of a man are from the LORD, and He establishes him in whose way He delights."

The bottom line, whatever translation you prefer, is simply this: the Lord is in the business of directing individuals. The secret to their establishment in the faith is that direction or guidance. This is the manner of the Kingdom. There is no provision for independency from the Lord in salvation. At no point are we free to step away from faith and absolute reliance upon God through Jesus Christ and by the Spirit. Our situation simply does not permit such foolishness.

PRAYER POINT: Father, in Jesus' name, as David said, "Lead me in a plain path, because of my enemies."

-- TOMORROW: A CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF DIVINE GUIDANCE --