As I taught on the subject of divine leading that year, a young man asked a rather unusual question: “Must everybody be led? Can’t I just use my head and make decisions?” I went ahead to show him from scriptures the imperatives and implications of divine leading.
Friend, everybody doesn’t have to be led, but everybody should desire to be led. The question isn’t about compulsion but about wisdom (Deuteronomy 4:5-6). It’s like someone asking, “Must I be filled with the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues?” You don’t have to, but you’d be better off with it.
Not speaking in tongues or allowing the Holy Spirit’s leading in your life might not send you to hell, but it can make you live in hell on earth. When Jesus called the Holy Spirit our advantage, it means you’d operate at a disadvantage in life without Him (John 16:7).
While Jesus brought us into sonship, the Holy Spirit brings us into the manifestation of sonship (John 1:12, Romans 8:14). You can’t enjoy salvation’s blessings if you don’t let the Holy Spirit lead you. It’s a blessing, not a burden – your advantage in life’s journey (Isaiah 48:17, 21).
God wants to lead everybody, but He won’t lead everybody the same way. Often, when people say they don’t hear God, they mean they don’t hear an audible voice. God may not lead you like He leads your pastor or other men of God you know, but He’ll lead you the way He knows best – the way you can’t miss it (Romans 8:16).
God hides things from (for) us by placing them close to us (Deuteronomy 29:29). So, being led by God isn’t supposed to be an uphill task. Unfortunately, many have been taught wrongly about this. You need to recognize how God uniquely leads you. God is a God of patterns; know His pattern for you and follow it.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria