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Romans 8:12-13 (NIV)
12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.
13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
As believers, we must live by the Spirit. We must let the Holy Spirit lead us. Unfortunately, many believers struggle to live this way. No doubt, there are many reasons why. But among them is the fact that we have an adversary. We have an enemy. The enemy wants us to go against God’s Word and live by the flesh. 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV) says: Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
The enemy will do whatever he can to influence us into thinking that it is okay to live like we are the authority over our lives, not God being the authority. Even more, the enemy will do whatever he can to make us believe that we are good on our own and there is no need to yield to the Holy Spirit’s leading. As believers, we cannot fall for this. The enemy is a liar.
In John 8, Jesus talked about the deceitfulness of the enemy when he responded to the Pharisees who were challenging Him. Jesus said: You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44, NIV). Make no mistake, there is no truth in the devil. We have to know this.
The Holy Spirit is different. In John 16:13 (NIV) Jesus said: But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. And in John 14:26 (NIV) Jesus said: But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. The Holy Spirit will only ever lead us into all truth.
Romans 8:14 (NIV) states: For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
True followers of Jesus Christ recognize the absolute need for the Holy Spirit. They know that without the Holy Spirit there is just no way to be able to consistently resist the pull of the flesh or the temptations of the enemy. And true followers of Jesus Christ know that, no matter how hard we try on our own, that without the Holy Spirit there is no way we can live a life that is pleasing to God.
God loves us. God wants us to live a life that honors Him. And God wants us to live life victoriously in and through Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit can show us the way.
Psalm 143:10 (NIV) states: Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
Except where indicated, scripture references are from the American Standard Version (ASV), Darby Translation (DARBY), or King James Version (KJV) – all public domains.
