The Greater Life - "Spirit Led Singleness (Part 3)" by David Skidmore

Over the past few weeks, we have been talking about living a greater life in the Lord. The greater life comes when we are led by the Spirit, because the Spirit makes us more like Jesus. At some point though, you like many will begin to wonder, “Am I really Spirit-led? I want to be. But is the Spirit really leading me?” Here are a few signs that you are becoming more and more Spirit-led:

1. A Craving for God’s Word. One place the Spirit will lead you is to the heart of God revealed through the Scriptures. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that all God’s people may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16.) The Spirit will lead you to hear God’s voice through the Scriptures.
2. More compassion in your heart. Jesus was Spirit-led. And Jesus was also the most compassionate person who ever lived. This is not a coincidence. The more Spirit-led you become, the more you will be filled with compassion. The things that break God’s heart will break your heart. The brokenness of the world will compel you to love like never before.
3. Deeper desire to rest in Jesus. When you are led by the Spirit, you won’t just serve Jesus but you will rest in Jesus. As he said, “Come to me all you who are tired and weary and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28.) We can be duped into thinking that we serve Jesus and rest on our own, but we serve Jesus and rest in Jesus because we are “in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:17.)
4. Growing sense of the Spirit’s promptings. Jesus describes the Spirit’s movement to a man named Nicodemus. “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8.) When you are born of the Spirit, the Spirit will move you to different places as He sees fit. You will become more aware of the Spirit’s promptings if you are looking for them.
5. An inexpressible and glorious joy. Peter wrote these words to the Church scattered throughout the world, “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:8-9.) These words are full of the Spirit’s activity. Faith, love, and then an inexpressible and glorious joy. A sign that you are Spirit-led is a joy that is beyond measure. It is inexpressible. Unspeakable. Glorious.

Now, these are not the only signs of being Spirit-led. But these are a few areas to be aware of. If you don’t see these evidences in your life, then ask God for these traits to be present in your life. After all, these are all gifts given by the Spirit. The focus of a Spirit-led life is long term trust in God. As you give your past, present and future to Him, know that He will change your heart over the long haul. Give God time. More than a week or a month. Keep seeking Him. The greater life is worth it.

David Skidmore