As we continue to explore the topic of our three part being, the question we must consider is which of the three parts do you think is leading your life? Aware of it or not, one part of our being is the engine driving our decisions and choices, which in turn directs the course our life will go. Upon close examination most of us will find we give space to each part at particular moments in our lives. Can you differentiate at any given moment which one is leading?
Sometimes when the soul or body are leading it can feel like we are out of control, maybe even a victim. Whatever situations we find ourselves in, it takes practice to be able to step outside of ourselves, assess our feelings from a distance and see which is leading, making necessary corrections and stepping back into the present moment. I believe the most effective way this can happen is to come into alignment with our three part being and with the Holy Spirit.
Let’s use this blog as an opportunity to identify what it means to be spirit led. In the following weeks we will meditate on what it looks like to be led by the soul and by the body. All three parts of our being are created by God and have a vital role to play in our lives. The important part is learning what proper alignment of our spirit, soul and body truly is.
Looking at our Spirit
As a review, the spirit is what brings life to our body. It is the life force within us. Our spirit is what connects directly with the Holy Spirit. Our spirit is made up of the following:
- Conscience – to know right and wrong
- Communion or fellowship – to commune or connect with God
- Wisdom or Intuition – sense of knowing or direct knowledge from God
Being Led of the Spirit
Our spirit is the place within us that connects with God. Our spirit connects with the Holy Spirit. We are encouraged in the Bible to be led by the spirit of God:
For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.
Romans 8:14 NASB
When we make the powerful choice for our spirit to lead we are tuned into our conscience. We’re able to truly know right from wrong. We are able to commune and connect with God, enjoying His fellowship. When we’re being led of the spirit we have a heightened sense of wisdom and intuition. It is from this place we hear God’s voice, His nudging, and His leading.
Communing with God
A few ways to know we are allowing our spirit to lead (and I am sure there are many more) include being in communion with God by having conversations with Him throughout the day. Sharing our heart and listening, like two friends enjoying each others company. Not only talking to God about things that seem spiritual, but inviting Him into all parts of our life regardless of how mundane we feel they may be.
Recently I have been having conversations with God about working out. In starting a new fitness program I share my excitement with Him as well as my fears. I seek His reassurance and encouragement while taking delight in sharing the joy I’m experiencing through the journey.
What would it look like for you to commune with God in a new area in your life? Is there somewhere you would like to invite Him into? I recommend taking time to share with Him just like you would share with a close friend. Be sure to take time to ask Him what His thoughts are too.
Promises of God
We can see evidence of our spirit leading when we see the promises of God’s word made manifest in our lives. Some examples; to hunger and thirst for righteousness, to seek first His kingdom, to know God will provide, to experience the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. To call those things into existence that you cannot yet see, to walk in faith, to present your requests to God with thanksgiving, to experience His perfect peace and uncontainable joy, to radiate with hope.
There are so many promises in God’s word that manifest in our lives when we choose to empower our spirit to lead. Because our spirit is directly connected to God, His thoughts towards us are always way more life giving than our own, soulish thoughts. We will talk more about this in our next blog.
Take a moment to take inventory in your life, where are you seeing the promises from God’s word evident in your life? Ask the Holy Spirit to show you.
Reasons for Spiritual Dullness
One thing we need to be aware of and watch for in our own lives is talked about in the Bible as a seared conscience or a hardened heart. We can let things like unhealed wounds, bitterness, unforgiveness, or inner vows effect our ability to commune with God and be sensitive to His spirit. Sometimes, these things things fly under the radar, going unnoticed until Holy Spirit shines a light on them for us to see.
The prophet Jeremiah speaks of the clay that is not willing to become the beautiful vessel it was created to become. The desire the potter had for the clay was hindered because the clay would not run in the potters hands. To keep our spirit sensitive to the Holy Spirit we must be cautious about fighting against the potter in allowing ungodly beliefs to come in. These ungodly beliefs make the clay of our lives hard and awkward to work with.
Are there “hard” areas in the clay of your heart and life? Will you let God do what He desires to do in your life? To remove any impurities? Spend sometime asking the Lord to highlight any areas of your life that may be causing your spiritual sensitivity to be dulled.
A Prayer
God I thank You for awakening my spirit within me and teaching me how to stay in tune with the Holy Spirit. Lead and guide my steps, reveal and remove any impurities that prevent me from being sensitive to the spirit. Soften my hardened heart and make me sensitive to your heart. I am blessed to walk in communion with the Spirit of God. I have wisdom and intuition. My conscience is awake to God’s truth and love in my life.
Coming up next
Discerning between body and soul leading is fairly easy. Knowing the difference between soul and spirit can be a little trickier. Stick with us next week as we dive into the top ways to know if our soul is leading over our spirit and how to bring things into alignment!
Did You Miss Our Other Posts?
Hi there! This post is part of our current series on our three part being; Spirit Soul Body. We’re spending nine weeks focusing on what makes up the complete package called “us.” In case you missed them, here’s a handy reference of all the posts in this series.