Led by the Spirit

There is much misunderstanding about the phrase "led by the Spirit," (Romans 8:14Romans 8:14
  14. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.). Some believe this means feeling inner promptings from God leading them to take a certain job, become some type of religious official, marry a certain person, move to another location, etc.

When, however, we read the context of Romans 8, being "led by the Spirit" happens because a mind is set on (pays attention or gives heed to) the things of the Spirit. "That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God," (Romans 8:4–8Romans 8:4–8
  4. That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
  5. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
  6. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
  7. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
  8. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.). That is in contrast to minding the things of the flesh—worldly or sinful things.

The Holy Spirit was sent to guide the apostles into "all truth," (John 16:13John 16:13
  13. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.). What they wrote represents the work of the Spirit, (I Corinthians 2:10–16I Corinthians 2:10–16
  10. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
  11. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
  12. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
  13. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
  14. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
  15. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
  16. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.;
II Thessalonians 2:15II Thessalonians 2:15
  15. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.; Ephesians 6:17Ephesians 6:17
  17. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:). God′s inspired message reveals what is "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work," (II Timothy 3:16–17II Timothy 3:16–17
  16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
  17. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.).

God′s Word trains human hearts to discern between good and evil allowing man to make appropriate choices in life. In contrast to this, inner feelings can result from other things.

Leading of the Conscience. A person who studied the Word may have a strong feeling that they should behave a certain way. This is not supernatural, but is the Word pricking hearts, (Acts 2:37Acts 2:37
  37. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?). On the other hand, people ignorant of God′s Word can have a conscience in error. Paul, for instance, at one time persecuted Christians believing it was the right thing to do, (Acts 26:9Acts 26:9
  9. I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.).

Leading of Lust. As unbelievable as it may seem some have justified immoral actions on the prompting of God. Part of man wants to satisfy sinful desires, (Romans 7:14–20Romans 7:14–20
  14. For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
  15. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
  16. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
  17. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
  18. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
  19. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
  20. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.). People often try to justify themselves, (Luke 10:29Luke 10:29
  29. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?; 16:15Luke 16:15
  15. And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.), in activities that are wrong. This is certainly not the voice of God, but the voice of "deceitful lusts," (Ephesians 4:22Ephesians 4:22
  22. That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;).

Leading of Emotions. Man experiences a wide range of emotions. Because of the corruption of man′s heart, (Jeremiah 17:9Jeremiah 17:9
  9. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?), we must be careful not to place emphasis on emotions as a guide. Jacob grieved, the grief was real, but the reason for his grief was false, (Genesis 37). He believed his son was dead, but in reality his son lived. A person could rejoice and feel great zeal over a false religion, (Romans 10:2–3Romans 10:2–3
  2. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
  3. For they being ignorant of God′s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.;
II Corinthians 11:4II Corinthians 11:4
  4. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.), yet be in error.