Being Led of the Spirit

I recently read an article from someone who didn't believe that we should make a law out of being led by God and only do things once we have heard His voice about which direction to take in life.  This included whether we should stay at a job we really don't like, who we should marry, and so on.  He went on to explain that the following two verses have to do with Christian conduct, and not specific decisions we make in life.   

Gal 5:18    But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 

Gal 5:25    If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 

The article went into a thorough exegesis of these two verses and he added some extra Scripture from Romans to explain that in these contexts, it does not mean it has anything to do with being led of the Spirit to make decisions.  Yet, as I was reading, there was something amiss, which he failed to mention and so I began to question the validity of the article (not necessarily the validity of his exegesis of the two verses).  So my question is:

Does the Spirit lead specifically or has He left most of life's decisions to us?

Then I began searching Scripture to answer this question.  From the many Scriptures I found and from my own life-time personal experience and that of so many others, this is what I came up with.  While the Spirit will always lead us into righteousness and the life of the Spirit, I believe He also wants to lead us when it comes to making specific decisions in life.  We cannot separate the life of the Spirit from the life of the flesh when it comes to making decisions, can we?  Should we even consider it?  Look at what Scripture says: 

Pro 16:25    There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

If God knows all things and has warned us which way to avoid and which way to take, wouldn't we be wise to consult Him about absolutely everything in life in additon to our spiritual state, although this is by far the most important one? 

From the beginning of man's creation, it is clear that humans could not make the right decision independent of God's Word and God's direction.  He sinned and this led to death.  Yes, he had lots of freedom since he could eat of every tree, but still, he failed and ate of the one tree that was forbidden. 

Then there is also the issue of "calling" that we must consider. The Bible talks about calling in many different places and contexts.   Moses was called, Abraham was called, the children of Israel were called, and in the New Testament, the disciples were all called to follow Jesus.  They were in fact, hand picked. 

Luk 6:13    And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;Luk 6:14    Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,Luk 6:15    Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,Luk 6:16    And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.

Generally, just to clarify, in the sense of obtaining salvation, we are all called.  Once we are saved,  we are called to live a a life of righteousness according to the Spirit as outlined in the Bible.  We are also called to be witnesses and spread the good news of the Gospel.  We are called to bring forth fruit for the Kingdom.  And even in this general calling, we still need to be led to specific people and specific situations.  If God wants you to be a witness in your own neighbourhood, would you disobey Him and move to Africa instead?  Maybe He has called someone else to minister in Africa.

If we are having a struggle in a relationship, are we to abandon it, especially if it's a marriage relationship?  According to Scripture, we are to REMAIN in whatever calling we are in unless God indicated otherwise, and in this context it has to do with being married, where we work, etc. 

1Co 7:24    Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God. 

One of the issues the writer of the article I read implied that should you stay in a job even if it's unbearable because God told you that you had to? He thought that this was living according to the "law" and not necessarily being led of the Spirit.  But sometimes, yes, that is exactly what we must do - stay in an uncomfortable situation because this is what God desires us to do.  For example, God  led the children of Israel in the wilderness to the Promised Land.

Why did He do this?  To bring them into their own land, something they never had, and of course, to free them from slavery at the cruel hands of the Egyptians.  But there is more insight into being called and led of the Lord in this particular Biblical account and that is that the big problem with them, and with us today is that they didn't want to follow when things didn't suit them. They sinned along the way, so they did not reach their destination.  This is what happens when we take things into our own hands.  We do not receive the best of what God has for us, and it will take a lot longer to reach the destination if we reach it at all.  It is important to follow "specific" directives from the Lord so that we reach the destination He has perfectly carved out for us. 

In addition, it is not true freedom to go off on our own and leave the Lord out of our plans, rather it is unwise.  Time is short, and God has a plan for all of our lives. We need to know what that plan is, and follow it.   

Eph 5:14    Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

Eph 5:15    See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

Eph 5:16    Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Eph 5:17    Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 

How do you know if you are being led of the Spirit?  For one thing, He may put something on your heart and it won't go away until you respond to it. This is what happens to me when I am supposed to write something in a blog or write a book.  Many times, it is not something that I had systematically planned to do!  And in my creative life as an artist, I have an inspiration and an idea that will continue to persist until I create something out of it. 

 If He has given you something specific to do, you will know it without question.  Look at the following verses to see how important it is to listen to the Lord's leading in our lives, and then respond to it. 

Rom 11:29  For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. (He will not remove what He has given you to do and it will not go away.) 

Psa 33:11    The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. 

Pro 12:15    The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. 

Pro 19:20    Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. 

Pro 19:21    There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand. 

We often don't know which way to go.  The psalmist David prayed constantly for God's direction. In Psalms alone there are several verses: 

Psa 5:8  Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.

Psa 23:2  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

Psa 23:3  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Psa 25:5  Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

Psa 27:11  Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

Psa 31:3  For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.

Psa 43:3  O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.

Psa 60:9  Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?

Psa 61:2  From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Psa 139:10  Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

Psa 139:24  And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psa 143:10  Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

What was David talking about here?  Was it all in the context of conduct? No. He was seeking God for direction, physical and spiritual protection and sustenance, to name a few.  Many times we are confused and in need of direction not only because our knowledge is so limited and we don't know the future, and because God wants us to turn to Him and depend on Him! 

Another VERY IMPORTANT thing about being led of the spirit is that it is a sure sign that we are a child of God! 

Rom 8:14    For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 

There are two verses in Proverbs that have meant so much to me when it comes to looking for direction in my life:    

Pro 3:5    Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Pro 3:6    In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 

So far, from what Scripture teaches, I believe that we can't separate the life of the spirit from the life of the flesh when it comes to making decisions.  I believe that Scripture teaches that we are to consult God about EVERYTHING that concerns us, because if we are His children, we belong to Him and not to ourselves.  He loves us and wants the best for us.  To leave Him out of our decision-making is really to say that we know best, and self-efficiency is the sure road to a downward spiral away from God.  So let's make every effort today to ensure that we are being led of the Spirit and live a life that is pleasing to Him, not because it's a law, but because we love Him and a sign that we are submitted and committed to serving Him with our very best, using the gifts, talents, and directives He has freely and generously given us.