Luke 4:1-2 – Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil.
Jesus had to be temped, as it was written, “One who has been tempted in all things as we are” (Hebrews 4:15). Being directed by the Holy Spirit and using the Word of God, He overcame the evil one. God does not tempt anyone (James 1:13), but temptation will come to all, especially after we have determined to follow Jesus.
The Holy Spirit has been given to enable us to follow, obey, overcome, and help others experience God’s amazing grace. The Holy Spirit is always present to empower each believer to be led by the Spirit (Romans 8:14). He will establish us in the Word of God, He will lead us to divine appointments, He will guide us to overcome temptation, and He will release His gifts so that we can effectively give witness to Christ as the Risen Lord. So many believers try to work out salvation in their own strength and understanding. This has brought many to a place of discouragement and infancy rather than “growing up into the full measure of the stature of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13).
One distinctive change which is meant to take place when we become believers and followers of Christ is a life led by the Spirit. Paul shares in 1 Corinthians 2:14-15 that the natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit. It is only the spiritual man which can appraise all things. Are you led by your natural reasoning most of the time or have you become a spiritual man, one led by the Holy Spirit?
Father, I want to be the spiritual individual You will me to be. I choose to surrender my thoughts and my ways to You. I invite the Holy Spirit to take control of all areas in my life. Father, fill me daily with your Holy presence and lead me through the wilderness of this life, into Your purpose of ministering to others Your wonderful grace.