This was the theme of the Watchtower study for June 20-26 2011. Throughout the study the importance of allowing God’s spirit to lead us is emphasized. Notice parr. 2 and 3:

2 Does holy spirit operate only on special occasions or under extraordinary circumstances? No. God’s Word speaks of Christians’ “walking by spirit,” “being led by spirit,” and “living by spirit.” (Gal. 5:16, 18, 25) These expressions indicate that holy spirit can continually exercise an influence in our lives. On a daily basis, we should entreat Jehovah to guide our thinking, speech, and actions by means of his spirit. (Read Psalm 143:10.) As we allow the spirit to operate freely in our lives, it will produce in us fruitage that is refreshing to others and that brings praise to God.

3 Why is it vital that we be led by holy spirit? Because another force seeks to dominate us, a force that opposes the operation of holy spirit. That other force is what the Scriptures term “the flesh,” which refers to the sinful inclinations of our fallen flesh, the legacy of imperfection we have received as descendants of Adam. (Read Galatians 5:17.) What, then, is involved in allowing ourselves to be led by God’s spirit? Are there practical steps we can take to counteract the pull of our sinful flesh? Let us consider these questions as we discuss the remaining six aspects of “the fruitage of the spirit,” namely, “long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control.”—Gal. 5:22, 23.

The question for paragraph 3 part a is: Why do we need to be led by holy spirit?

And the last part of paragraph 19:

Moreover, Galatians 6:8 assures us: “He who is sowing with a view to the spirit will reap everlasting life from the spirit.” Yes, based on Christ’s ransom, Jehovah will use holy spirit to impart endless life to those who allow themselves to be led by the spirit.

The question for paragraph 19 is: What are the benefits of allowing holy spirit to lead us?

 

Now let us compare this information with Romans 8:13-17 (NWT) “13 for if YOU live in accord with the flesh YOU are sure to die; but if YOU put the practices of the body to death by the spirit, YOU will live. 14 For all who are led by God’s spirit, these are God’s sons. 15 For YOU did not receive a spirit of slavery causing fear again, but YOU received a spirit of adoption as sons, by which spirit we cry out: “Abba, Father!” 16 The spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 If, then, we are children, we are also heirs: heirs indeed of God, but joint heirs with Christ, provided we suffer together that we may also be glorified together.”

I raise the question, how can the Watchtower say on the one hand all JWs must be led by God’s spirit and on the other hand say that JWs of the “great crowd” class are not God’s sons nor joint heirs with Christ? Verse 14 of Rom. 8 is quite clear, all who are led by God’s spirit are God’s sons. Verse 17 is also quite clear in that if we are children of God we are heirs of Him and joint heirs with Christ. Connecting these ideas we can safely say that those who are led by God’s spirit are joint heirs with Christ, all of whom will be glorified together.

The Watchtower even cites Romans 8 in the study but still doesn’t draw the obvious conclusion.

 

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3 Comments on Are You Allowing God’s Spirit To Lead You?

  1. greybeard says:

    You make a very good point here Andrew. To me it is almost like the WT is purposely trying to twist this issue as much as they can. On one hand we are to let the holy spirit lead us and on the other hand we are to let the GB lead us because they are the “channel” for Gods holy spirit.

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  2. Alden says:

    If, however, the saints are supposed to be “kings and priests”, for WHOM will they be kings and priests?

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