Romans 8:14 - Led by the Spirit

 

•        The phrase “led by the Spirit” is only used two times in the New Testament in reference to Christians: Romans 8:14 and Galatians 5:18.

 

•       Romans 8:13-14 - For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

 

•        In the context of Romans 8:14, the Spirit leads Christians to “put to death the misdeeds of the body” - that is, to put an end to sinful practices in our life.

 

•        When compared with earlier statements, being “led by the Spirit” seems synonymous with:

–      Romans 8:5 - minds set on what the Spirit desires

–      Romans 8:6 - the mind controlled by the Spirit

•        In each case the Spirit leads us to put off sinful practices and do those things which we know from the Scriptures are pleasing to God.

 

•       Galatians 5:16-23 - So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

 

•        Here as in Romans 8:14, the Spirit “leads” us to put off sinful practices and do those things which we know from the Scriptures are pleasing to God.