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 6 of 20

DIVINE LEADING SEEN IN THE EXAMPLE OF OUR LORD
LED BY THE SPIRIT

Devotion 6 of 20

DIVINE LEADING SEEN IN THE EXAMPLE OF OUR LORD

As is true with all valid spiritual experience, the Lord Jesus is our great Example. Here is humanity at its apex, "full of grace and truth." If anyone could navigate on HIS own, it would be the Son of God! Were it possible for any person in the flesh to operate independently of Divine direction, it would be the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself the "Wisdom of God" (1 Cor 1:24). However, if our blessed Lord required guidance, let every thought to the contrary be cast down--brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ!

Following Christ's baptism "to fulfill all righteousness," He prepared to embark upon His ministry. From one point of view, He was going to acquaint the people with the mind of the Lord and the salvation He would effect. From another view, He would prepare Himself to offer the supreme sacrifice, thereby reconciling the world unto God. From still another vantage point, He was readying Himself to utterly defeat the "old serpent," who had successfully deceived "the whole world."

Led to be tempted

It is written, "Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil" (Matt 4:1). "And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered" (Luke 4:1). Here is a text highly contradictive of some theology. Many cannot conceive being led into a wilderness, to say nothing of being led there "to be tempted of the devil." Notwithstanding the imagined difficulties attending this text, it precisely represents the case. If the Lord Jesus was going to overcome the devil, He obviously had to confront him. The Holy Spirit led Him to that confrontation. The Spirit did not lead Jesus INTO temptation, but TO BE tempted of the devil. This confrontation would set the battle in array.

Sensitivity required

Suffice it to say, the leading of the Spirit required the sensitivity or directability of the Savior. If this had not been the case, the confrontation would have led to His fall. Also, the Lord entered fully into the matter. He went into the wilderness under the direction of the Holy Spirit. He fasted for forty days, eating nothing while He was "forty days tempted of the devil." So intense was the temptation that it is written, "Then the devil leaveth Him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto Him" (Matt 4:11). Those who wrest this subject know nothing of being "led up by the Spirit to be tempted of the devil." Their theology will not allow such a circumstance--but that IS what occurred with the Lord Jesus Christ!

When confrontations with the adversary are required, it is best to be led by the
Spirit into them. You dare not enter such an occasion in your own strength and wisdom! When the Spirit leads and you follow in faith, good will come to you, and Satan will suffer defeat. Thus will angelic hosts witness the mighty power of God, bringing glory to Him. You will also be made the wiser and stronger because of the confrontation.

Driven, or impelled

Another aspect of this incident is found in Mark 1:12-13; "And immediately the
Spirit driveth Him into the wilderness. And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts." Matthew said Jesus was "led." Mark employs the word "driven" to recount the event. The strength of the word "drive" cannot be overlooked. The RSV and NRSV also use the word "drove." The NASB translates the word "impelled." The thought is not one of coercion; i.e., Jesus being forced into the wilderness against His will. One person has well said, "The expression does not necessarily imply any violence, but seems to intimate the energy of that impulse on our Lord, by which He was inwardly constrained to retire from society." You must remember Jesus came into the world to "save" it, and to "lay down His life a ransom for many." This experience seemed to contradict that mission, but it did not. Jesus lived so close to God that the constraint of the Holy Spirit took the place of personal preference. He was motivated to do the will of God with the same energy that sinful men seek their own will--a staggering consideration!

The leading of the Spirit is marked by a spiritual intensity that touches the mind
and the will. Those who follow our Lord will sometimes find themselves drawn into confrontations with the evil one. These are intended to prepare them for ministry, and will result in increased understanding, determination, and sensitivity. How good to know that the Spirit leads us even in this area, and that He does so powerfully from within.

PRAYER POINT: Father, knowing the crafitness of the devil, and my own weaknesses, in Jesus' name, I pray as He taught us to pray. "Led me not into temptation, but deliver me from the wicked one."

-- TOMORROW: JESUS DID ONLY WHAT THE FATHER WAS DOING --