“Lead” expresses the sense of laying hold of as a guide, to bring, conduct, or drive. Leading may be done in a voluntary or involuntary manner.
When Jesus sent out the twelve disciples to Israel, He instructed them not to go in the way of the Gentiles. They were to proclaim the Kingdom of the Heavens. Jesus warned them about the type of men they would encounter. They would be delivered up to councils and scourged in their synagogues. The disciples would be led before governors and kings for His sake (Matthew 10:18).
When “lead” conveys the concept of guiding, it relates to the physical leading from one place to another. As Jesus was about to enter Jerusalem to fulfill the word of the Lord, He instructed His disciples to go into the village opposite them. There, they would find a donkey tied to a colt. They were to bring (lead) them to Him (Matthew 21:2). When Jesus returns for the Church at the rapture, He will lead with Him those who have fallen asleep before His coming (1 Thessalonians 4:14). Therefore, the living will not precede those who have fallen asleep. We will all be resurrected at the same time (1 Thessalonians 4:17). It is fitting that Jesus, the captain of our salvation, should lead many sons to glory. All things are because of Him and through Him (Hebrews 2:10).
Guiding is not restricted to physical movement; it may also relate to understanding and belief. This may be positive or negative. The kindness of God leads a person to a change of mind (Romans 2:4). We are not to think little of God’s kindness, forbearance, and long-suffering. Those who harden their hearts treasure up for themselves wrath. God will render to each one according to his works (Romans 2:5–6). Gentiles are led by dumb idols (1 Corinthians 12:2). We of the Church are not to be ignorant of Spiritual gifts or be led astray like the Gentiles. Each member of the body of the Christ receives a single Spiritual gift that relates to his position in the body (1 Corinthians 12:11; 1 Peter 4:10). In these latter days, truth is difficult to find. Many men seek to lead others astray by various strong desires. They take captive gullible women who are loaded with sin (2 Timothy 3:6). These men have a form of godliness, but deny its inherent ability. They resist the truth because they are men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith (2 Timothy 3:8).
In contrast to such men, those who are led by the Holy Spirit are sons of God (Romans 8:14). The grace believers do not receive a spirit of bondage. As sons, they are able to understand Spiritual things and live a life of righteousness because of who they are in Christ. Sons are in a position of maturity and can train their senses by being led by the Holy Spirit. They discern what is proper from what is wrong so that they do the will of God (Hebrews 5:14). The leading from the Holy Spirit does not relate to the Mosaic law (Galatians 5:18).
