As you look back on the second day of the new year, does it seem your steps were directed by the Lord? What could you have done to be more certain of this?

In New Testament terms, those who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. But what does it mean to be led by the Spirit of God?

Paul wrote, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God” (Romans 8:14, NKJV). This doesn’t mean the sons of God are characterized by sinless perfection (see I John 1:8), but that they deal with all of life — even their sins — as the Spirit of God directs. The Spirit of God leads believers to confess their sins (I John 1:7, 9; Romans 2:4). Those who are unregenerate are led by the flesh, the Adamic nature. (See Romans 6:19-20).

There are many ways the Lord can direct our steps by His Holy Spirit. This includes gifts of the Spirit, like the word of knowledge. For instance, I have experienced the word of knowledge in the form of names of individuals who had a specific need. In one case, the name “Fred” came to me. I asked if that name meant anything specifically to anyone in the room. One of the ladies present said she had come that night especially to have prayer for a sick little baby in a distant state. The baby’s name was Frederick. We were then able to pray intelligently and with faith for the child. Within a couple of weeks we had a picture of the child and a testimony as to how God had touched the baby.

Think about the first days of this year. Is there anything you wish you had done differently? If you could have, would you? Would you have spoken different words, entertained different thoughts, or made different decisions?

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