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 13 of 20

WHAT IS THE ANSWER?

What is the answer to this dilemma? The "flesh" must be subordinated! It must be denied the preeminence. And how is this necessity possible? The Holy Spirit leads us in this endeavor, showing us how to "mortify our members that are upon the earth" (Col 3:5). The Word of God is clear on this point; "if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God " (Rom 8:13).

Notice, those that are "led by the Spirit of God" are putting to death the misdeeds of the body. And what of those who are NOT putting those recalcitrant deeds to death? They are NOT being led by the Spirit! I will tell you that those majoring on being led by the Spirit rarely deal with the subject like Paul did. To them, being "led by the Spirit" has to do with mystical and superfluous things. Too many, I fear, are "led" here and there, with little attentiveness given to the subordination of the flesh. Those who do not subjugate the flesh, yet affirm they are being "led by the Spirit," have simply not told the truth.

We are not dealing with optional matters here. Our sonship is revealed in the subordination of our fleshly, or carnal, nature. Those truly related to God are not content with the way of nature. They have been "seated together in the heavenly places," and find the lower climes of flesh hostile the heavenly realm. The Holy Spirit leads them in the warfare against the flesh. As it is written, "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would" (Gal 5:17). Those who are effectively led by the Spirit subdue the flesh, giving ascendency to the "things of the Spirit of God." (1 Cor 2:14). They are led away from the dominance of this world. That leading is evidence of their sonship.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank and praise You, in Jesus' name, for the blessed leading of the Spirit in this warfare with my lower nature.

-- TOMORROW: SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS --