We have here two influences that we have to deal with in life. We are faced with them every day. One is the flesh, which is the natural, earthly, material and worldly realm. Its voice speaks loudly and its attractions are strong and logical. Sad to say, most people follow the tendencies and desires that the flesh offers. And, to them, there is nothing else to consider or follow. Oh, that we could be more and more aware that there is something else to consider and follow! There is the Spirit of the Lord God Almighty that He has sent forth into the world. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, made it possible through His death and resurrection and ascension to the right hand of God that the Holy Spirit of His Father can be a personal and loving Guest and Guide to each one of His children. What a blessing it is to be led by the Holy Spirit in every detail of our lives! Every move we make on this mortal journey needs the guiding wisdom and understanding that only the indwelling Spirit can give. We have only to look around us and behold the wretched and foolish life and manner of so many of our fellow creatures of the dust. Such wickedness, folly, evil, and unprofitable works and activities stain the moral conduct and way that so many follow.

To be led by the Spirit of God brings the greatest happiness and satisfaction to the heart of man. Our own notions and ideas that originate from how things look and appear from a fleshly standpoint are far from being what is right and best for us. The major steps in life we take are critical in their need for Holy Spirit guidance. What friends to have, what sort of conduct and pursuits of pleasure and profit, the decision to believe in and obey Christ, one's occupation and work, choosing a marriage partner, where to find residence, financial decisions and how to handle money-these and many more steps one takes in life are so direfully in need of the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We must take each one of these as they are met on life's journey to the Lord in prayer-earnest prayer. There will be those times when our prayers must be accompanied by laying aside food and the normal routines of life. We must be led by the Holy Spirit if we are to be the true children of God. There are many lesser important matters that may need Holy Spirit counsel and control.

There is always the flesh that will assert itself to our minds. We must become keenly sensitive and wise to the threat of being influenced by the flesh. In the early days of the gospel, when the light and understanding of Christ was coming to the saints, Paul declared that physical circumcision, which was commanded under the law, was no longer required. He brought out that the true circumcision was "that of the heart, in the spirit." (Romans 2:29.) But there were those who hung on to the carnal commandment of circumcision of the flesh. Paul had this to say of them: "As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised and, they desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh." (Galatians 6:12-13.) People who hung on to those carnal commandments of the law were sowing to the flesh. And Paul declared, "For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." (Galatians 6:8.) So we see that we can be sowing to the flesh in our religious beliefs. And this sowing to the flesh, not heeding the Holy Spirit's counsel, will bring a harvest of corruption.

We are to live constantly with a sensitive heart and mind, open always for the Holy Spirit to instruct, inspire and guide our thoughts and plans. It is true joy and inward peace and satisfaction to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit, obey Him and experience the rich reward of being led by Him. -Leslie C. Busbee