How to Make Spirit-Led Decisions
Making decisions is a part of life, but as believers, we shouldn’t rely completely on our own minds or emotions.
We need to be Spirit-led.
We need our choices, big or small, to be guided by God.
But how do we know when the Holy Spirit is leading us? How can we be sure we’re not just following our own thoughts or desires?
Acts 13:1-3 - 1 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
Another version says: “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.”
This was no small task. They were sending Barnabas and Saul on a dangerous, unknown trip — a mission that could mean life or death. But the early church had clarity. The Spirit said go, and they went.
So how did they know so clearly?
How did they hear?
The word was never meant to be read alone
The Word of God is a lamp unto our feet.
A guide.
A map.
But even then, it’s not always straightforward, is it?
The Word isn’t meant to be read alone — it’s meant to be read in relationship. If we only read it with our minds, it just stays there, and we miss out on the Holy Spirit revealing its deeper meaning. That’s when we can run into trouble.
Without Him, we risk interpreting things through our flesh.
Some say, “Jesus never mentioned homosexuality, so it’s okay.”
But in Leviticus, God calls it an abomination. Jesus was there. He’s not separate from God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are One. So when God spoke in Leviticus, Jesus and the Spirit were there too. You cannot separate them.
To say “Jesus didn’t say it” is to ignore the nature of who He is.
When the Spirit speaks to us, it will never contradict the Word. But not every decision we face is written in black and white — like who to marry, where to move, or what job to take. That’s when we lean on Spirit-led promptings.
Acts 16:6 - Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.
Jesus had already told the disciples, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel.” That’s what they did. It was a God sent mission. And yet, Paul’s forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach in Asia.
The Spirit wasn’t stopping the mission, He was guiding Paul to the right place, at the right time.
Does the holy Spirit reside or reign in you?
There’s a difference between the Holy Spirit residing in you and reigning in you.
If He resides in you, you’re saved but you can still be flesh-led (doing things your way).
If He reigns, He is Lord over your life. You’re fully surrendered to Him.
We are body, soul, and spirit.
Body - outer layer, physical
Soul - mind, will, emotions
Spirit - the inner core being where we connect with God, Spirit to Spirit
When we don’t surrender our soul, we cling to the flesh, trying to maintain that bit of control and almost convincing ourselves that we’ve heard the Spirit, when it’s actually our own will and mind at work.
Galatians 5:16-17 - 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
Galatians 5:19-25 - 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
If you want to know if you’re living a Spirit-led life, check the fruit.
If there’s no fruit, it’s time to check if your soul is fully surrendered.
Romans 8:14-16 - “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 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.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,”
The word children here means born ones.
The word Sons is mature adult child.
So “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God…” they will become mature adult child.
How incredible is that?
The Holy Spirit leads us to maturity, and maturity produces fruit. Don’t just let Him reside, allow him to lead and bring you to that full maturity that He desires in us.
5 steps to making spirit-led decisions
Separate yourself
Surrender. Submit.
Say no to flesh.
When we separate ourselves unto Him, we no longer have one foot in world, one foot in Him, trying to do both of these things.
The Spirit only leads where it glorifies God.
But we can't ask the Spirit to lead if we are still wanting our way.
Surrender your mind, will, emotions. Everything. Fully surrender to Him so that you can hear His voice.
2. Seek
Worship
Pray
Fast
Open His Word
In Acts 13, before they came to the decision, and before they heard the Holy Spirit, they were worshipping and fasting.
Set aside that time. Seek Him with all your heart. God promises that if we seek Him with all our hearts, He will be found.
Don’t let anything come in between seeking the will of the Father.
3. Listen
Listening doesn’t mean rushing through the moment and telling yourself you’ve heard from God.
Sit with Him in that quiet space and ask, “What is the Father saying?”
Some people think it should feel very clear, like hearing an audible voice, but it’s not always going to be that way.
I’ve made some big decisions during those quiet moments with God.
When you hear from God, its not convinced peace, its total peace.
4. Godly Counsel
Don’t just say, “God told me, I’m doing this.”
Present what you’re sensing and ask for wise counsel.
The minute we say, “I really know God told me. I’m leaving. I’m just letting you know,” it closes the door to any wise counsel or advice you might be seeking.
We need each other. We need wise counsel. Submission opens the door to wisdom.
5. Move: If It’s of God your peace won't be affected
Step out.
Trust that God will lead you.
If you lose peace along the way, go back to Him. Because He is peace.
And His peace will remain.
How to become more sensitive to the Spirit’s leading
2 Timothy 1:6-7 - Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Sound mind in Greek means saving the mind.
When you pray in tongues, it bypasses your mind. Your Spirit connects directly to His and saves your mind from leading astray. It builds you up.
Jude 20 says, “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,”
Praying in the Spirit and speaking in tongues strengthens your spirit, grows your faith, and aligns your prayers perfectly with God’s will. It’s spot on. No guessing.
So stir up the gift. Speak in tongues daily. Let His Spirit save your mind and lead you in power, love, and truth.
Watch the full sermon to learn how to live a life overflowing with the Holy Spirit in every decision you make.
