Led by the Spirit Week 52, 2011

“How can someone be led by the Spirit? Must I hear an audible voice to be sure? I would not want to miss the road at all.” Being led by the spirit is not all about hearing voices, there are several ways God communicates with His people. “What do you mean?” Take for instance how we communicate on a day to day basis; is it only when you see me and hear my voice that you know it is I? Apart from hearing me speak face to face I could phone, send a text, email you, write a letter, or send a messenger. “Any of them could be faked!” Hah! But you are correct. You could always check if those are consistent with my character, and with what I had earlier said. “Please explain further.”
Luke 2 is rich in God’s leading. See how Joseph was led to Bethlehem to fulfil the birthplace prophecy about Jesus: a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be registered. Joseph, too, went up from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem… While they were there, the time came for her to have her baby Lk 2:1, 4, 6(ISV). Obeying constituted authority thus was being led of God’s spirit. It’s the same way Saul was led to Samuel and David to Goliath.
In consistency at your duty post you are also led. “How?” Those shepherds were on duty when the angel met them. In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, watching their flock during the night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them Lk 2:8, 9 (ISV). “I’d love to hear the angelic voices and see the visions but am afraid of error.” Good for you; God has more common ways He speaks to us.
When Joseph and Mary took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, as it is written in the law of the Lord Lk 2:22, 23(ISV) they were being led by the spirit to meet Simeon. Obey the scripture’s teachings: that’s being led by the spirit most certainly. “How was Simeon led?” Oh, he was prompted within to go there at that time. Moved by the Spirit, Simeon went into the temple courtyard. Mary and Joseph were bringing the child Jesus into the courtyard at the same time. Lk 2:27(GW). Anna the prophetess was similarly led Lk 2: 36,-38. Obedience to authority, following the teachings of the bible, angelic visitations, promptings of the spirit; all are equally the leadings of the Spirit.
“How do I avoid error in being prompted within?” Consistently obey the teachings of scripture and constituted authority. You’ll be less likely to err in the courts of promptings and visions; Simeon was practiced in obedience you know. Simeon… was righteous and devout Lk 2:25(ISV).