Led by the Spirit

Romans 8:14 states "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God". The question arises, how does the Spirit of God lead us? God is Spirit (John 4:24) and spiritual thinks are understood spiritually (1 Corinthians 2:14). Those who are born again have a new, live spirit where God, Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit are pleased to dwell.


The Spirit dwells in the human Spirit, not in the soul. The spirit of man includes conscience and intuition. The unsaved have a conscience programmed by their culture, education and upbringing. Intuition in the unbeliever is mostly overriden by logic, reason or emotion. Logic and reason are easily twisted, invariably to program the individual to oppose God's truth.

The Spirit of God leads the believer in the intuition. It is the "still small voice" (1 Kings 19:12). Conscience is the monitor that tells us that our behaviour is wrong and intuition is the positive, leading us in the way that we should go.

Why does this matter? Intuition is never wrong. Neither is conscience. Most people know about the conscience, not so many about intuition. If we seek to be led by the Spirit, we need intuition to be sharp and sensitive to His voice. It is indeed still and small, not loud and demanding. Quite often we do something without realising that we have been led by the Spirit. There are times that we realise His leading after the event. We need to learn to discern this inner voice and learn not to allow logic or emotion to override it. This is a part of our spiritual growth. Don't be shocked if you are wrong at times. Emotion often seems like the Spirit. This is why the Word of God needs to separate soul and spirit (Hebrews 4:12). Ask God to help you. He is far more willing to lead us than we are to be led.

Some members have essentially stated that they are led by the Spirit, and therefore, do not need to follow the written Word of God.

I was raised Pentecostal. The "still, small voice" of the Holy Spirit was spoken of often. However, the only place I know of in Scripture where that phrase is used is indeed in 1 Kings 19 with Elijah. I'm not trying to be contentious, but are there other Scriptures you could provide to support the Holy Spirit speaking to believers as a still, small voice?

As far as being shocked...I have been very shocked by comments by some members here on Christian Chat with regard to being led by the Spirit. Some members have essentially stated that they are led by the Spirit, and therefore, do not need to follow the written Word of God. That's a paraphrase, but certainly what has been implied.

Anyway, you are definitely right that emotion can often be confused with the Holy Spirit. Discernment is key.

I have experienced that “still, small voice” many times—not as an audible sound, but as something far less strange and far more comforting. In my own experience, the “still, small voice” comes in the form of recollection of the Holy Spirit inspired words of scripture, in the lyrics of a song inspired by scripture, or in words of wisdom from a trusted Christian friend. That “still, small voice” is a promise given in the book of Jeremiah and repeated in Hebrews—a promise to place God’s law in our hearts.

Jeremiah 31:33 NKJV

But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

Hebrews 8:10 NKJV

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

Throughout the years, I have found that I can always rely on words of scripture coming to me at just the appropriate time. Those words provide everything I need, both offense and defense against any kind of assault from the enemy, and countless comforting promises to share with others. I believe that when we take the time to read, study, and meditate on the words of the Bible, the Holy Spirit will provide the understanding and wisdom we need anytime and every time we ask; and when we walk in the way He advises us to go (in obedience to that “still, small voice”), we will be fruitful and blessed.

I was raised Pentecostal. The "still, small voice" of the Holy Spirit was spoken of often. However, the only place I know of in Scripture where that phrase is used is indeed in 1 Kings 19 with Elijah. I'm not trying to be contentious, but are there other Scriptures you could provide to support the Holy Spirit speaking to believers as a still, small voice?

As far as being shocked...I have been very shocked by comments by some members here on Christian Chat with regard to being led by the Spirit. Some members have essentially stated that they are led by the Spirit, and therefore, do not need to follow the written Word of God. That's a paraphrase, but certainly what has been implied.

Anyway, you are definitely right that emotion can often be confused with the Holy Spirit. Discernment is key.

I have experienced that “still, small voice” many times—not as an audible sound, but as something far less strange and far more comforting. In my own experience, the “still, small voice” comes in the form of recollection of the Holy Spirit inspired words of scripture, in the lyrics of a song inspired by scripture, or in words of wisdom from a trusted Christian friend. That “still, small voice” is a promise given in the book of Jeremiah and repeated in Hebrews—a promise to place God’s law in our hearts.

Jeremiah 31:33 NKJV

But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

Hebrews 8:10 NKJV

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

Throughout the years, I have found that I can always rely on words of scripture coming to me at just the appropriate time. Those words provide everything I need, both offense and defense against any kind of assault from the enemy, and countless comforting promises to share with others. I believe that when we take the time to read, study, and meditate on the words of the Bible, the Holy Spirit will provide the understanding and wisdom we need anytime and every time we ask; and when we walk in the way He advises us to go (in obedience to that “still, small voice”), we will be fruitful and blessed.

this is hilarious, still small voice: which is factual, but not as it pertains to the [[EARS]] hearing.
the still small voice is:
1. you drive to the store
2. you see someone in need
3. you get a thought, not your own thought, but a thought that emphasizes on helping this person.
4. you might get another thought that says, buy food for them.
5. and another that says give them money
6. and another that says, Tell THEM, GOD, Loves Them

and when you do this, GOD, not you, are feeding the hungry, giving to the needy, and sharing His Love to Them.

it ain't really a voice at all. but, once you know the difference between your selfish natural thoughts and the thoughts placed into your mind by God, you will become an Effective [[TOOL]] that God can ((USE)) for His Purpose.

This is Being Led by the Spirit.


the other way, it happens, at least to me...Discernment: you hear someone talking, see something that you do not immediately understand/recognize...Discernment, will tell if you're being lied to or will give you insight about the situation you may not understand.

But, it is God, Speaking to You.

I have experienced that “still, small voice” many times—not as an audible sound, but as something far less strange and far more comforting. In my own experience, the “still, small voice” comes in the form of recollection of the Holy Spirit inspired words of scripture, in the lyrics of a song inspired by scripture, or in words of wisdom from a trusted Christian friend. That “still, small voice” is a promise given in the book of Jeremiah and repeated in Hebrews—a promise to place God’s law in our hearts.

Jeremiah 31:33 NKJV

But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

Hebrews 8:10 NKJV

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

Throughout the years, I have found that I can always rely on words of scripture coming to me at just the appropriate time. Those words provide everything I need, both offense and defense against any kind of assault from the enemy, and countless comforting promises to share with others. I believe that when we take the time to read, study, and meditate on the words of the Bible, the Holy Spirit will provide the understanding and wisdom we need anytime and every time we ask; and when we walk in the way He advises us to go (in obedience to that “still, small voice”), we will be fruitful and blessed.

Thank you for your comments. There are many references to being led by the Spirit. As far as I know, the only other possible reference is Job 4:16, which was a spirit talking to Eliphaz, not the Holy Spirit.

I theory, if we have the indwelling Holy Spirit, we have the Living Word of God within. We therefore should not need the written word. In practice, we come to Christ with minds programmed by the world, we have all the forces of darkness arrayed against us and we still have the self of the soul to contend with. Hence we need the written word. As a young Christian I spent many hours in God's word. Part of the weakness of the modern church is ignorance of God's word. God's people are still being destroyed by their lack of knowledge.

Not quite. God speaks to your spirit, not to your mind.

Sure, but there is no Bible verse that tells me "don't take that job" or, "no, you are not going to Bible college". I also stayed in the Navy years past the time I wanted out. The Lord simply said, "Not yet." Again, no Bible verse. And when it came time to leave, the Lord showed me the way, again without a Bible verse. God will never contradict His word, but God is a Person. Jesus is the Living Word, not a book. Romans 8:14 tells us of the necessity of being led by the Spirit. There is not always a Bible verse to go by.

Sure, but there is no Bible verse that tells me "don't take that job" or, "no, you are not going to Bible college". I also stayed in the Navy years past the time I wanted out. The Lord simply said, "Not yet." Again, no Bible verse. And when it came time to leave, the Lord showed me the way, again without a Bible verse. God will never contradict His word, but God is a Person. Jesus is the Living Word, not a book. Romans 8:14 tells us of the necessity of being led by the Spirit. There is not always a Bible verse to go by.

Thanks for the comment. In all honesty, when I read this it was almost as if I was reading something composed by my mom. Very similar to what she would say.

I will contend that I don't think the new covenant passage, as spoken by Jeremiah and quoted by the author of Hebrews, can be used to teach that "the Holy Spirit speaks to believers in a still, small voice." In my opinion, this leads in the direction of eisegesis. Anyhow, I do really like how you essentially stated that the Holy Spirit directs us as we meditate on and study the Bible.

Sure, but there is no Bible verse that tells me "don't take that job" or, "no, you are not going to Bible college". I also stayed in the Navy years past the time I wanted out. The Lord simply said, "Not yet." Again, no Bible verse. And when it came time to leave, the Lord showed me the way, again without a Bible verse. God will never contradict His word, but God is a Person. Jesus is the Living Word, not a book. Romans 8:14 tells us of the necessity of being led by the Spirit. There is not always a Bible verse to go by.

Yeah, it’s always interesting when Christians claim that God no longer speaks to us today. I wonder, “Then how do you know what He is doing in the moment?” Often, they see a need and respond to the need with charity, being sure to count their behavior as “godly”. But we see Jesus walking away from the crowds and other times stopping to speak to men in trees. How did He know what to do?

“Verily, verily I say unto you, the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do; for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.”

He didn’t read the script before hand. He saw with His spirit what His Father was doing and did likewise. And why did He say this? So we would likewise live the lives WE are given once we are in Him! The Bible is a testimony of how God lives among and through His people but it is not a play book for every occasion. The Spirit was given for the moment to moment decisions just like He was given to Jesus. Furthermore, certain ones with gifts are given to the Body to teach the whole Body how to see and respond to what our Father is doing. This is all part of the record given by the Spirit for to men to write down in the scriptures.

To me, this is so elementary it can only be traditions of men that keep others from seeing this.

God Bless

Yeah, it’s always interesting when Christians claim that God no longer speaks to us today.

It is elementary to you because it has been given to you to understand. And it has been given to you to teach. It's a message that needs to be shared. Gospel up.

I hear long-time famous radio and internet Christian teachers saying such things. Always disappointing.

I probably would not be a Christian at all if God had not spoken to me, directly, audibly, and authoritatively...

A resilient axiom for study: whatever Jesus said of Himself and whatever was written about Christ may be applied to the Spirit who lives in us. Now, this is not a proclamation of equality. We are to reject such notions:

”Who (Jesus), being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men…”

The vary creation operates on the principle of “sameness”, not equality. He IS the seed that is within all who are in Him.

“And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.”

This is a lesson about the nature of God, not horticulture. From before the foundation, God’s intent was to multiply the Son in the sons So that, as co-heirs with Him, we might also reflect the nature of the Father wherever, and whenever, we are.

Certainly, there in only one Head, who is Christ, but we are likewise Him by the Spirit, if indeed we are “in Him”.

“For we are members of his body, His flesh, and His bones.”