When I think about being Spirit-led, I recall our Lord Jesus in the wilderness. Why was He there? In Matthew 4:1, the Word of God reads: “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” This happened after the Spirit of God descended like a dove and came to rest on Jesus. Here, we see that Jesus was Spirit-led. So, the question for us today is: “Can we be Spirit-led?” For this, we need to look at the Holy Scriptures to find the answers.

What does the term “Spirit-led” really mean? It refers to the guidance and the influence of the Holy Spirit. I personally believe that each born-again child of God, every person who has put their trust in Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour can be Spirit-led. As a child of God, we want to walk in obedience to the Word of God guided and enabled by the Spirit of God. The active presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer is very important. In John 16:13-15, our Lord Jesus did tell us the roles of the Holy Spirit:

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”

This verse shows the perfect unity of the Trinity. Everything the Father has – His authority, knowledge, and plans – also belongs fully to the Son. The Holy Spirit’s role is to take what belongs to Jesus and make it known to us, guiding us into all truth, revealing God’s purposes, and helping us understand the work of Christ in our lives. In this way, the Spirit communicates the reality of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection to us personally.

In Romans 8:14, the Word of God reads: “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” Being led by the Spirit of God is a defining characteristic of being a child of God. The role of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life is evident in the life of one who maintains a close, personal relationship with God. If that believer is not sensitive to the leading of the Spirit, he will not see transformation in his own life.

One who is led by the Spirit will exhibit certain characteristics. One such characteristic can be seen in the eagerness of his heart to diligently search and study the Bible. When I first came to know the Lord Jesus, I experienced an unspeakable joy – a deep desire to hear His voice and understand His teachings in the Bible regarding God’s will for my life and ministry. I longed to know every part of Scripture and was deeply hungry for the Word.

“Obedience to the will of God” is another characteristics of being led by the Spirit. A Spirit-led Christian seeks to know and do the will of God. There is the serious exercise of discernment in the process of walking by the Spirit. He will walk in obedience to the will of God instead of gratifying his sinful desires.

“Manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit” is yet another characteristic of being led by the Spirit. When a believer exercises the gifts of the Spirit, he will bear the fruit of the Spirit. As the Spirit empowers him in ministry, the fruit of the Spirit will be evident in his submissive life of obedience. What is done by the Spirit in his life can be seen by all around him. There is no doubt about it. His faith, hope and love will shine for Jesus’ sake.

There is still one more characteristic of being led by the Spirit. It is the “empowerment for service”. In being an effective witness for Christ, in being an ambassador of Christ, the Holy Spirit empowers us to share the good news of Jesus with others. We will not hold our tongues when it comes to proclaiming the Gospel. We will be bold and confident in sharing about the greatness and awesomeness of the God we know, love, trust, and follow.

It is a joy and a privilege to be led by the Spirit of the living God. In Galatians 5:25-26, I am exhorted to adhere to this truth: “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” One who is Spirit-led will exhibit humility, holiness, peace, love, joy, teachability and obedience. Keeping in step with the Spirit in our daily life will surely reveal that we are being led by the Spirit of God. To God alone be the glory! Amen.