Every believer has a mighty Helper. Even the weakest child of God can make this claim. In today’s post, we take a look at one area where the Spirit of God will lend His aid on your behalf as we continue Roaming through Romans.

[Tweet “The Spirit indwells us and His help can be accessed at any given moment.”]

The Spirits Role in Dealing with the Flesh

Romans 8:14–16 (NKJV)
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

• The word ‘For’, in Romans 8:14, is a conjunction which connects us back to verse 13.
• We are informed in Romans 8:13 about the manner in which we are to put to death the deeds of the body.
• It’s all ‘by the Spirit.’
• In verse 14, Paul tells us just what ‘by the Spirit’ means.
• It means the leading of the Holy Spirit.
• The Spirit will lead you around the pitfalls of the flesh.
• The word ‘led’, ἄγω/agō, means to lead or guide morally or spiritually. It means to lead or encourage in the direction of.
• This benefit belongs to ‘as many as.’
• All children of God, all legal sons, can expect to be led by the Spirit of God.
• The word ‘sons’ is the Greek word huiós and it means a person related by biological or legal action or closely associated as if by ties of son-ship, son.
• The context for this thought of being ‘led by the Spirit’ is the deeds of the body or rather the sin nature at work in the body.
• ‘Being led by the Spirit’ is a privilege of son-ship
• It is one of its distinguishing marks.
• Sons of God can expect to be actively led by the Holy Spirit.
• Even though the context here deals with the flesh, this statement would be true in all areas of the Christian experience.
• We can have the guidance of the Spirit every day and in every situation.
• The Spirit indwells us and His help can be accessed at any given moment.

Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV)
5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

• So from verse twelve to verse fourteen, there’s one continual thought.
• Paul states we do not owe the flesh anything.
• And, that we have to be brutal in dealing with it even though the flesh has already been positionally dealt with in Christ.
• The Spirit of God will lead us in dealing with the flesh.
• Allowing the Spirit’s ministry gets us out of the losing method of the flesh dealing with the flesh via will-power.
• Will-power doesn’t have the ‘power’ to keep you out of strife.
• It doesn’t have the capability to shut off unforgiveness, impatience, pride or any other work of the flesh.
• Will power has its limits, the Spirit of God has none.

It’s the Holy Spirit Not a Bondage Spirit

• We received the Holy Spirit at the new birth.

1 Corinthians 2:12 (NKJV)
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

• 2 Corinthians 11:4 and Galatians 3:2 also bear witness to this truth.
• This other spirit spoken of here, the spirit of bondage, is not part of the New Birth package.
• At one time, we were intimately familiar with this spirit of bondage when we lived by the world’s system.
• It was part of our daily navigation of planet earth.
• The word bondage used in this verse, δουλεία/douleia, means a state slavery or a lack of freedom. It is a state or condition of subservience.
• The Greek word fear, φόβος/phobos, is all about intimidation and terror.
• What we learn from these two words is that the Holy Spirit, whom we have received via the new birth, does not insist on a slavish spirit of servitude.
• He does not lead us through fear, intimidation or terror.
• If it’s fear, it’s a different spirit than God’s.
• Fear is of the enemy.
• Paul did consider himself a bond-slave of God as we see in Romans 1:1.
• But this is a voluntary yielding to all the mind and plan of God.
• Following God is never about forced domination.
• Being God’s servant comes by yielding to Him based on love, reverence and great respect.
• Every bit of serving God is only effective as we exercise our will to yield to His wishes.
• Human choice must make a decision for God.
• The very thing which the Lord desired in the beginning was for His creation to love Him willingly.
• Terrorizing and intimidation are all works of the flesh and not at all God’s method.
• God will not force you, He will not intimidate you into putting to death the deeds of the body.
• That decision, you alone must make daily.

Luke 9:23 (NKJV)
23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

• The Spirit of God will gently prompt you in your Spirit.
• By yielding to Him, that is by obeying the promptings and the urges of your heart, you can steer clear of the works of the flesh and it’s resulting consequences.

Call to Action:

Becoming familiar with your Helper will yield great rewards. The Spirit is as close to you as the breath of your mouth. He is willing to help put you over and make you a success. Look to Him and learn to be led by Him.

Question: How has the Spirit helped you to deal with the flesh? Please leave your comments in the comments section below.