Today’s Reading
“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.” (Galatians 5:18 NASB)
“For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” (Romans 8:14 NASB)
The concept of lion taming has always intrigued me. Perhaps it fascinates me so much because I don’t quite understand it. How can a 400-pound apex predator be led by a 180-pound human? The lion outweighs the man, he is faster than the man, he is louder than the man, and he is stronger than the man. And yet the man still subdues the lion when the lion is not to be subdued. I’m only left wondering, how often do I try to subdue The Lion of Judah?
More often than I’d like to admit, I find myself trying to lead God into doing what I’d like to see Him do for my life. Make no mistake, God is subdued by no one and He is led by no man. He willingly laid down His life for us so that His love would abide in us and lead us into righteousness (John 10:17-18; 1 John 3:16-17). So then how do we fool ourselves into thinking we can lead God? The reality is we don’t lead Him; He leads us. Being led by the Spirit means continuously surrendering yourself to the desires of the Holy Spirit, which includes battling the desires of your sinful flesh (Galatians 5:17). Being led by the Spirit means choosing to say yes to the will of God and no to the desires of the flesh. Being led by the Spirit means exposing your heart to grace of Jesus and confidently claiming His victory over sin.
Reflection
Take a moment and ask yourself, “Am I trying to lead God? Or am I allowing Him to lead me?” Search your heart and examine if there is anything in your flesh that you are allowing to have its own way. Would your life look differently if you surrendered your will to the leading of the Holy Spirit? Are there any actions you need to take or conversations you need to have in following the Spirit’s leading? If there is anything in you that is not currently resisting evil then are you truly a child of God? May God remove any veils that blind.
Prayer
Holy Spirit, stir my affections for You. Awaken in me a strong desire to surrender my carnal impulses on a moment-by-moment basis. I pray that You would give me the strength to apply what I know into active service so that You would find me faithful in following You. In Jesus’ name I pray; amen.