This isn’t an option for you as a Christian, if you’re going to be effective in your Christian walk. You must be filled with the Spirit always. You might ask, “Is that really possible? Can we always be perpetually ‘high’ on the Holy Ghost?”
Emphatically yes! The Word says we can, and shows us how in the ensuing verses 19-21 of our opening scripture. It reads, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”
Every day, practise being filled with the Spirit. Before you leave home, get full of the Holy Ghost! Before you lead in worship, before you go out for evangelism, before you go to work, be filled with the Spirit. When you’re full of the Spirit, the words that come out of you aren’t your words but God’s. Therefore, everything you say will come forth with power and surely come to pass.
When you’re full of the Holy Ghost, no matter what happens to you or around you, you’re unflustered. Like Paul, you’d say, “None of these things move me.” This is life beyond the ordinary plane of perception; life beyond the comprehension and ability of the human mind; life beyond this world!
This super life is what Jesus brought to us. He said, “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)” (John 10:10 AMPC). You’re not an ordinary person. Many Christians live ordinary lives, because they don’t get themselves filled with the Spirit often. If you’re continually filled with the Spirit, your life will be an unending stream of the supernatural.
We’ve been called into a life of unending success. The secret is being filled with the Spirit: You’d be enabled supernaturally to see things at a higher plane and live the higher life in Christ.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God (Romans 8:14). The human mind, at its very best, is limited and as a result, can’t be a sure guide for the Christian. Due to the limitation of human understanding, we’re unable to tell those things that are good for us or make the right choices until we look into the Word and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us. Jesus said, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come” (John 16:13). Yielding to the Spirit for guidance and direction will make all the difference in your life: your path will be forever flooded with light. You’ll be able to discern and walk in God’s perfect will at all times. Your life will be void of struggles as you journey on the clear path of progress, victory and success because you have the light of life. Jesus said, “…I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life…” (John 8:12). In His light, we see light, and His Word is light. Psalm 119:130 AMPC says, “The entrance {and} unfolding of Your words give light; their unfolding gives understanding (discernment and comprehension) to the simple.” God’s Word has the ability to bring illumination to your spirit and give you insight into reality. This is why you must allow the Word to dwell in you richly. The Word and the Spirit are one; when you open your heart to the Word and to the Holy Spirit, the storms of life will never be able to obscure your vision. How far do you want to go in life? How successful do you want to be? The Lord can take you much farther than you could ever imagine. He’s more passionate for your success than you can imagine, and it’s His delight to help you become a success. Invite Him to help, lead, and guide you in the choices you make and in the decisions you take. He said in Isaiah 1:19, “If you will only let me help you, if you will only obey, then I will make you rich!” (TLB). This is His desire. Trust Him, and He’ll make you a wonder to your generation.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God (Romans 8:14).
The Holy Spirit leads us through the Word. Any counsel you receive that’s contrary to what the Word says,
… isn’t from the Holy Spirit. Some people pray about something, then an idea comes to them, and they say, “Well, God is leading me to do such-and-such.” If you were to ask them, “Why do you believe it’s God that’s leading you in that direction?” they’d say, “It’s because I prayed about it.”
The fact that you prayed isn’t enough! What did the Lord say to you after you prayed? Did He tell you expressly to go ahead and do whatever it is you think He’s leading you to do? Is the idea you got consistent with the Word? Is it consistent with His perfect will for you? His Word is His will expressed. Yielding to the Spirit means yielding to the lordship, supremacy and guidance of His Word.
This is why knowing the Word for yourself is absolutely indispensable. It’s important to have accurate knowledge of the Word. The more submissive you are to the lordship of the Word, the easier you’ll recognise the Spirit’s guidance. His desire is to lead you from glory to glory.
Our theme verse says, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” To fulfil God’s destiny for your life, you must learn to follow the Spirit in the Word, by the Word, and through the Word. Don’t be in a hurry when seeking His guidance; be patient until you hear His voice—His words— in your spirit. Then you’re ready to go! His Word gives you light, and direction, and holds the solution to every problem.
Irrespective of the troubles, adversities, and challenges, trust the Word. Put your faith in the Word. Become so inundated with the Word until the Word alone is all you think, talk and live out. The Word enjoins us, “…Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come (John 16:13).
One of the things you must do throughout this year is to yield to the Spirit and follow His guidance and counsel in all your dealings. No other personality in this life is worth following but the Holy Spirit. He’s the greatest friend and teacher you could ever know; He’s the One called alongside to go with you, and to be with you and in you! He’s the One who guides you into all truth and brings His Word to your remembrance.
Following the Holy Spirit means yielding yourself to Him through the Word of God. You cannot follow the Holy Spirit except you’re yielded to God’s Word; doing what He says. This will reflect the beauty of God in you and help you live a more excellent life. You’ll find yourself making the best decisions and the right choices always. You’ll do the right thing the first time, be at the right place at the right time, and live an inspiring life.
How important it is to be led by the Spirit of God in all your affairs! No one but He can give you true counsel and guidance in life. So be sure to yield to Him with all your heart. Isaiah 30:21 says “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” Also, He said through the Psalmist in Psalm 32:8, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” This is the ministry of the Spirit in your life, take advantage of it today and you’ll never lose your way.