How Does The Holy Spirit Lead?

by Micky Galloway

The Scriptures teach, “Every scripture inspired of God (is) also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness. That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work” (II Timothy 3:16-17). In a recent discussion the all sufficiency of the Scriptures was affirmed. Yet, it was argued that without the Holy Spirit leading, us we may never know what the scriptures teach or how to apply them. Obviously, the Holy Spirit does lead certain ones. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (Romans 8:14). Jesus was “Led up of the Spirit” into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil (Matthew 4:1). Paul and his companions were being led on their journey by the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:1-4) when they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, “having been forbidden of the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia,” and when “they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit of Jesus suffered them not” (Acts 16:6-10). The Holy Spirit led Peter to the house of Cornelius (Acts 10:19-20). Philip was led by the Holy Spirit to the eunuch (Acts 8:29).

While no one denies that the Holy Spirit leads or guides, we certainly differ on the matter of how He leads. Some believe and teach that the Holy spirit acts miraculously to effect understanding of the Scriptures. Therefore they believe that the Holy Spirit is leading to salvation and sanctification directly, without means or instrumentality. These fail to recognize a difference in ordinary and miraculous manifestations. These want to make the action of the Spirit toward the sinner or saint mystical or miraculous. Some who claim to be Christians feel that the Holy Spirit dwells in them personally and leads them to speak in tongues, heal, make utterances (preach) as the Spirit gives it to them, and even directs them in the various experiences in life. These affirm that there is little or no need to study the Scriptures to prepare themselves, for the Spirit will give them what they need as the occasion arises.

Please note that the Spirit did not so completely take over the lives of men in the first century that every move made by them was “Spirit led.” Plans for the second journey were formulated in the minds of Paul and Barnabas, and when they went separate ways, “Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away unto Cyprus: but Paul chose Silas … and he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches” (Acts 15:39-41). Later, Paul made his own plans to go to Rome and Spain after completion of his third journey, and he asked the Romans to pray that he could come to them “in joy through the will of God” (Romans 15:23-33). These plans did not work out. If this was by the direction of the Holy Spirit, our faith might be shaken.

If we truly believe in the all sufficiency of the Scriptures, let us look to the Bible and see what it reveals about the leading of Deity. Yes, God continues to work within our lives, “choosing our changes” on occasions, but His providential workings should not be confused with the direct leadings of the Spirit in the first century.

Each member of the Godhead is said to lead just as each is said to dwell in us. Learning how Deity leads and dwells in us should help the confusion in the minds of many about the “how.” Looking at how God, Christ and the Holy Spirit led in time past should help answer the question of “How does the Holy Spirit lead today?”

First, let us consider how God has led people to do things in the past. God led Noah to build an ark wherein he and his family were saved from the flood (Hebrews 11:7). The Genesis account tells us that God “said unto Noah … Make thee an ark of gopher wood … and this is how thou shalt make it … And Noah did according to all that Jehovah commanded him” (Genesis 6:13-16; 7:5). How did God lead Noah to build the ark? He spoke to him in a language Noah understood, giving detailed instructions, and Noah followed all that God commanded. God led Abraham out of Ur of the Chaldees. Abraham received instructions from God and his faith resulted in obedience (Hebrews 11:8-9; Romans 10:17; Genesis 12:1-4). God led Abraham by speaking to him and Abraham obeyed. God led Israel out of Egyptian bondage, and through the wilderness (Deuteronomy 8:14-15; 29:4-5). In doing this He used the instrumentality of Moses and Aaron. “Thou leddest thy people like a flock, by the hand of Moses and Aaron” (Psalms 77:20). Simple isn’t it? God led in time past by giving instructions, speaking His will to His servants and they obeyed.

Second, let us consider how Christ has led people to do things in the past. Christ made disciples by teaching, instruction. He commanded and they obeyed (John 1:43). No mysterious or supernatural power possessed the individuals to make them follow Jesus. Evidence was provided that Jesus was from God, and was God (John 20:30-31). People became followers of Christ by being taught … hearing, learning, and coming (John 6:44-45). Jesus led people by speaking truth to them (taught in a way they could understand) and they followed him. Again, the process was simple.

Third, let us consider how the Holy Spirit has let people to do things in the past. He led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by divine instruction (Matthew 4:1). He also led Paul in his journeys by divine instruction (Acts 13:2). The Holy Spirit led three thousand souls to be saved on Pentecost. Please note how! The Holy Spirit came to the apostles with miraculous demonstrations, giving proof that these men were truly messengers of God. The apostles in Acts 2:4 “began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Many were convicted by the truth spoken and asked, “What shall we do?” The Holy Spirit then speaking through Peter said, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins” (Acts 2:38). Thus about three thousand were led by the Holy Spirit to salvation, when they heard, believed and did just what the Holy Spirit said for them to do. Again, isn’t that simple?

This is how the Holy Spirit leads Christians today. Redeemed people need the leading of the Holy Spirit in living the life of a Christian as much as they did in coming to Christ. However, in leading, guiding and edifying the Christian, the Spirit uses the instrumentality of truth, the revealed, confirmed word of truth. The word of God is said to be the “sword (instrument) of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17). The Spirit “saith expressly” (I Timothy 4:1-2) giving instruction, warnings, exhortations through the New Testament. The Spirit has never laid aside the agency of truth, substituting fleshly feelings, emotions, experiences or imaginations, in the guidance of Christians. Sons of God are led by the Spirit of God as they hear the Spirit revealed message of truth, believe and obey it. This is the way that Christians … “Walk after the spirit” (Romans 8:1,4); “Mind the things of the Spirit” (Romans 8:5); “Are in the Spirit” (Romans 8:9); “Live in the Spirit” (Romans 8:13); and are “Led by the Spirit” (Romans 8:14).

Deity has always led by the agent/agency of revealed, confirmed truth (God’s will) being made known to man, coupled with man’s faith and obedience. The leading of Deity never overrides the will (free moral agency) of man, so that he cannot choose to do or not do the will of God. When we fully realize that the Scriptures are the product of the Holy Spirit, and that whenever we read the Scriptures He is speaking to us, teaching us, and leading us, most of the confusion over the Holy Spirit will be resolved. Isn’t that simple?