Romans 8:14 KJV – ‘For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.’
When I was a kid, my siblings and I used to play a game called “Follow the Leader.” I always wanted to be the leader, but my older sister always claimed the role. As the leader, she had the right to tell us what to do: what games we could play, what games we couldn’t play, who would clean the house, who would take out the trash, who would vacuum the carpets, and so on. No wonder my sister always wanted to be the leader!
I always think of this when I read Romans 8:14. It says, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” In Greek, the sentence structure is reversed so that it reads, “For as many as by the Spirit are being led, they are the sons of God.” This version puts the Holy Spirit at the start of the verse while we are placed behind Him — just as children stay behind the leader when they play “Follow the Leader”! During the time this scripture was written, this word was often used to depict animals that were led by a rope tied around their necks. Once tied to that rope, these animals willfully followed wherever their owner led them.
How interesting that Paul used this word! It tells us that we should be willing to let the Holy Spirit lead us in every part of our lives. We should be so surrendered to Him that wherever He tells us to go or whatever He tells us to do, we simply follow and obey. Just for a moment, think of how many times a child is tempted to rebel against their parents. Or consider the many times our flesh – or the part of us that desires what is contrary to God’s will – has rebelled against an exercise or a diet goal.
There’s no doubt about it — the human will and the flesh are strong. These parts of us have a very difficult time surrendering control to someone else — and that includes the leadership of the Holy Spirit!
When I was a child and we played “Follow the Leader,” I didn’t like following my sister or obeying her commands. I wanted to be in charge so I could call the shots as I saw them! Maybe that’s how you’ve been feeling about your own life. But as a child of God, you have to learn to stay in your place — behind the Holy Spirit, following His lead. Why? Well the leader is the leader for a reason. They know more. They have more experience. They can make better decisions than you.
God is the leader because He’s qualified. His leading ensures your protection and safety from all that life has to throw at you. When you follow God, it also means that you won’t miss out any blessings that only he can guide you to.
Romans 8:14 can be understood this way: “Those who follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit, they are the sons of God.”
If you want to learn to live a Spirit-led life, there is no way around it — you have to deal with your flesh. The flesh wants control, so you must overcome it and allow the Holy Spirit to have His way. The struggle may seem great, but it’s the only way to live a supernatural Christian life! Make it your goal to learn how to discern the Holy Spirit’s leading. Become His constant “tag-along” watching to see what He’s doing, where He’s going, and how He’s leading.
Stay sensitive to His Spirit and his words so you can pick up any “nudges” that he places on your heart. Then once you know what He wants you to do, just fall in step behind Him and “follow the Leader”!
PRAYER: Lord, I want to learn how to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. I know that You sent Him to be a Leader and a Guide for my life, so today I open my heart to Him. Help me to recognize the Holy Spirit’s voice and to know what He is leading me to do. With all my heart, I request that You help me become sensitive to Him so that He can lead me in all the paths You have designed for my life. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen!