Tag: Spirit

What It Really Means to Be Led by the Holy Spirit

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JEFF TURNER

Some people say they are “led by the Holy Spirit,” but not everyone means the same thing when they use that phrase. This idea comes directly from Galatians 5:18, “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”

So, what does that mean?

Some think being led by the Spirit is a feeling or special guidance that only a few Christians receive from time to time. However, that’s not what the Apostle Paul was teaching. He was making a clear statement about a believer’s identity. When someone is led by the Spirit, they are no longer under the law’s judgement. That means they are not trying to earn salvation by following rules—they now live under the Spirit’s direction and power.

If you are a follower of Christ, the Holy Spirit lives inside you. Your body becomes His temple. The Spirit helps you feel close to God, calls out to the Father through you, shows you when you’ve done wrong, and helps you understand the Bible. He also moves you to live in a way that pleases God.

Being led by the Spirit isn’t something that happens sometimes—it’s the way of life for all true believers. Without the Spirit, a person is still under the law’s curse, trying to be saved by good deeds, and without real spiritual strength. But with the Spirit, believers have both freedom and power.

Embrace a Spirit-Led Life

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TEXAS GOSPEL STAFF

It’s no surprise that we often struggle to fully grasp the concept of walking by the Spirit. It’s a mystery to our understanding, and since we rarely practice it, spiritual growth can feel out of reach. Both teachers and learners lack the Spirit in a living way, and this makes it hard to truly grasp its meaning. However, walking by the Spirit is a divine act—something higher than our ordinary lives and even beyond our usual religious activities. This truth should encourage us to reach for more of God and strive for a deeper connection with Him.

Few people have truly experienced walking by the Spirit, which is why it’s often so misunderstood. But we should recognize that it is something beyond where we currently are, a higher level that God calls us to. This truth should spark holy ambition in our hearts to desire more of God, more of His Spirit, and more alignment with His will. We are not meant to settle where we are spiritually but to keep moving forward.

As Christians, we must have dreams and goals that reflect a divine purpose, never being satisfied with where we are. We should desire more of God, more obedience, and a deeper walk in the Spirit. The world’s ways are not for us; we are called to be separated from those ways and to pursue holiness. To walk by the Spirit is to constantly seek more of God, never content with less than what He has called us to.

Paul said in Philippians 3:14 (ESV), “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” This verse reminds us that our spiritual journey is a continuous upward movement toward Christ. We must not settle for where we are but always strive for more of His Spirit in our lives.

The Harmony of Word and Spirit

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DAVID INGRAM

Many Christians make the mistake of separating the Spirit from God’s Word, thinking that spiritual life can exist apart from the truth of Scripture. But true spiritual living requires both the guidance of the Spirit and the grounding of God’s Word. The two must work together to transform our lives.

The Spirit brings the Word of God to life in us, showing us the truth and helping us live by it. Without the Spirit, the Word remains a dead letter, and without the Word, we lack a solid foundation of truth. As David prayed, “Give me life according to your Word,” we too must seek to be transformed by the Spirit working through Scripture.

Some may claim to have deep spiritual insights apart from the Word, but Jesus warned that the Spirit would not bring new teachings. Instead, He would remind believers of everything Jesus taught. Therefore, the Spirit always works in harmony with the Bible, never contradicting it.

Christians must test every spiritual teaching by the Word of God. Only when the Spirit and the Word are in harmony can we truly live according to God’s will.

The Battle Between Flesh and Spirit

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DAVID INGRAM

Living by the Spirit is the core of the Christian life, as those who belong to Christ are no longer under condemnation. When a person is saved, their life transforms—they no longer follow the flesh but are guided by the Holy Spirit. The gospel offers two foundational truths: freedom from condemnation and a life led by the Spirit. These are not merely doctrinal points but are meant to fuel a holy life.

The distinction between living by the flesh and by the Spirit goes back to creation. Initially, the soul was meant to guide the body, but when sin entered, this order was reversed. Humans became driven by their bodily desires—an existence shaped by the flesh rather than the Spirit. Those who are not saved by Christ continue in this state, bound by the desires of the flesh.

But there’s hope. When someone is regenerated by the Holy Spirit, the order is restored. The soul regains its authority over the body, and a person can live according to God’s Spirit. Christ offers this restoration, enabling believers to live a life free from the power of sin. This transformation is central to Christian life and testimony.

Therefore, living by the Spirit is not an optional extra for believers. It’s the sign of their freedom from condemnation and their connection to God’s Spirit. Christians are called to reject the ways of the flesh and embrace this new life that Christ has made possible.