Are You Led by the Holy Spirit?

Many Christians pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. But when we pray, do we ever think that the Holy Spirit may lead us to a place where we do not want to go? I think when we pray, we presume that God’s Spirit will guide us to a comfortable place where we will be healthy, wealthy and wise. However, the Holy Spirt may lead us to a place of great testing that many may consider a wilderness season. We may want the Lord to take us out of this season, yet He is there to take us through because this may be a part of His plan for our lives.

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came… Matthew 4:1-3a

The Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted. Jesus was alone, except for the Holy Spirit. And there He was in the wilderness for forty days and nights without food and then at His weakest, the tempter went to Him. This is what could happen if we are led by the Holy Spirit. He doesn’t lead us into a comfortable life where the devil doesn’t have access to us. On the contrary, He will put us in positions that leave us confounded, weak and without little resources where the devil’s lies are constant. But this may all be a test to show us our hearts and our loyalty to Jesus. Many have failed not wanting to give up their comforts, while opting for an easier life where the Spirit doesn’t lead.

For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:5-8

If Jesus chose not to be led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted, then He would have been moving according to the flesh. Our flesh does not usually choose to go into a bad situation. It is not in most persons’ nature to want to endure painful experiences, yet that is exactly where the Holy Spirit may lead us so that we will grow spiritually and in our relationship with God. The Apostle Paul is a prime example of one who was led by the Holy Spirit into unpleasant circumstances.  

And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. Acts 20:22-23

The Holy Spirit told Paul that whichever city he went, he would have a lot of problems. Who would want this?  But knowing this, Paul was still unswerving in his decision to go into all these cities to speak the truth about Jesus. Even when the disciples through the Holy Spirit were telling Paul not to go to Jerusalem because of what awaited him there, Paul still set out on his journey, and at one of the stops along the way a prophet gave Him another warning.

As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” When we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”  Acts 21:10-13

The Holy Spirit had already told Paul what he would encounter in Jerusalem, but he knew he had to go.  And although the Holy Spirit revealed to others what would happen to him and even warned him not to go, Paul made the choice to go although his heart was breaking for those who were concerned about him. He was determined to do what he had originally set out to do despite the afflictions he would endure. Was it a test why the Holy Spirit would speak through others for him not to go? Or was he just being hardheaded? There is no confusion in the Holy Spirit, and one thing was for sure is that Paul was going to go to Jerusalem as that is where the Holy Spirit told him to go. Jesus had already told His disciples that they would be persecuted, hated and they would have trouble. So why are we running away from hardship? We may be running away from God’s will. There will be well-meaning people who hear from God, but who love us and do not want us to face difficulties so they will try to stop us. But we must be determined to go where the Holy Spirit leads us no matter the cost.