Who controls you?

Romans 8:14 & Matthew 4

Today’s reflection is on the phrase in Matthew 4:1 that stated “Jesus was led up by the Spirit”. What an example Jesus left for us to follow. He followed the Holy Spirit’s instructions. Jesus was going to face temptation. This temptation was designed to derail the plan of redemption. But Jesus knew that if he followed the Holy Spirit he would have additional help to combat the future temptation. Jesus humbled himself. Paul stated “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Phil 2:8)

To be led by someone indicated that there is some level of submission to the person leading. It also suggest obedience to the person that is leading. My youngest son, when he was younger, would often resist his older brother’s instructions by declaring “you are not the boss of me”. I cannot but see this statement in light of my relationship to the Holy spirit. When I follow his instructions I am indicating that he is the “boss of me”. The Bible in Romans 8:14 said “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” You can know who you belong to based on how obedient you are to the instructions you are given.

We do not know what is before us, therefore, we need to rely on the one that knows all things. These lines from a song says “Where leads me I will follow, I will go without a murmur and his footsteps follow still.” So many times we refuse to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit for one reason or another. This a dangerous place to be. As Jesus submitted to the leading of the Holy Spirit so too we should gladly submit to his leading.

How do I know when the Holy Spirit is leading or bidding me to follow him? You have to be at a place where you are familiar with his voice. For the Christian, you have to spend extended time in prayer, Bible reading, quiet time in meditation, spend time in worship and reading and listening to those things that will edify your spirit. You cannot know the voice of someone that you have not spoken to. It is in the quiet times that I hear the Spirit. Also, evaluate the things you are pursuing, is it advancing the mission. Ask yourself this question, is what I am doing or planning on doing, going to bring glory to God and advance is kingdom? To unsaved he is leading them into righteousness (John 16:8-11).

Hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit often comes in some of the following ways:
1) Sometimes it is a thought that comes to your mind as you read the bible
2) Sometimes it is your intuition,
3) Some persons have heard an audible voice
4) It could be through a dream
5) It could be a confirmation through the sermon
6) Or it can be a direct instruction from another person confirming what you’ve pondering

The important thing is not to focus on how you will hear from God but to spend quality time with him. This way when He speaks you will know without a doubt what he is saying.

Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will come to instruct us, to help us and to empower us (John 16:13). Even though the task we have to carry out is great and the road ahead is long and rocky if we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit it will be ok.

Let us not resist the leading of the Holy Spirit but follow him with all of our heart. He is indeed the “boss of me”.