Favoritism is one of the reasons why people lose the leading of the Spirit in their lives. King Saul, for instance, wanted his dear son, Jonathan, to be his successor. Even though he knew David was chosen by God to be king, his favoritism led him to go against God’s will and the anointed one. As a result, he lost the leading of the Spirit. Beware of favoritism!
Our forefather, Jacob, also displayed favoritism toward his son Esau. He intended to bless Esau, even though God had already decreed, “The elder shall serve the younger” (Genesis 25:23b). Rebekah, on the other hand, favored Jacob and sought all the blessings for him. Their actions were driven by the flesh, causing them to lose the leading of the Spirit. As a consequence, their family suffered from division and heartbreak until their passing.
Pride Can Lead to Losing the Spirit
Many lose the leading of the Spirit by entertaining prideful thoughts. King Uzziah is a prime example:
“His fame spread far, for he was marvelously helped until he became strong. But when he had become strong, he grew proud, to his destruction.” (2 Chronicles 26:15b-16a)
Because of his pride, he lost the leading of the Spirit and ultimately died as a leper. Initially, he sought God’s guidance:
“He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God; and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper.” (2 Chronicles 26:5)
However, when pride takes over, the Spirit’s guidance fades, leaving us to fight our battles alone. “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6b)
Wrong Relationships Can Break the Spirit’s Leading
“After this, he fell in love with a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah… She let him fall asleep on her lap; and she called a man, and had him shave off the seven locks of his head. He began to weaken, and his strength left him.” (Judges 16:4-19)
Samson’s relationship with Delilah caused him to lose the Spirit’s guidance and ultimately his strength. Be mindful of the people you allow into your life. Relationships that are not from God can spiritually weaken us.
Seeking the World Over God
When we seek God’s kingdom first, He blesses us abundantly. However, when we pursue the things of the world, we risk losing the leading of the Spirit.
“But when Naaman had gone from him a short distance, Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, thought, ‘My master has let that Aramean Naaman off too lightly by not accepting from him what he offered. As the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something out of him.’” (2 Kings 5:19-20)
Gehazi’s greed led him to deception. When Elisha confronted him, he was cursed with Naaman’s leprosy forever (2 Kings 5:25b-27a). The man who was trained to be a prophet became a leper because he lost the leading of the Spirit!
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world.” (1 John 2:15-17)
Deviating from the Truth
Losing the Spirit’s leading happens when we fail to teach and uphold God’s Word.
“For I have told him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them.” (1 Samuel 3:13)
Eli, the priest, lost the ability to hear God’s voice because he did not correct his sinful sons. Eventually, God had to use Samuel instead. Neglecting discipline and holiness can lead to spiritual dullness.
Speaking Too Much
Too much talk about worldly matters can drown out the leading of the Spirit. James warns:
“Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.” (James 3:4)
Just like a ship’s rudder steers its course, our words direct our spiritual journey. Guard your tongue and prioritize godly conversations.
Serving God Without Intimacy
Many lose the Spirit’s guidance by prioritizing works over a relationship with God.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day, many will say, ‘Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, cast out demons, and perform miracles?’ Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.’” (Matthew 7:21-23)
True service comes from intimacy with God, not just external works.
Returning to the Lord
“Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the LORD your God, who teaches you for your own good, who leads you in the way you should go. Oh, that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your prosperity would have been like a river, and your success like the waves of the sea.” (Isaiah 48:17-18)
“Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you.” (Zechariah 1:3)
Let us walk in humility, obedience, and intimacy with God so that we may never lose the leading of His Spirit.
