FOR ALL WHO ARE (continuously) BEING LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD: osoi gar pneumati theou agontai (3PPPI):  (5,9; Ps 143:10; Pr 8:20; Isa 48:16,17; Gal 4:6; 5:16,18,22-25; Eph 5:9)

The relation of the Spirit to the sons of God is presented as being much like that of a shepherd to his sheep. They are "led" by him as their guide and protector. In Ga3:24 the law is pictured as having a responsibility to "lead" men to Christ. Once this goal is achieved, the law must hand over the guiding role to the Spirit, who guides into the truth (Jn16:13) and, as in the present passage, into holiness. Unlike sin, which may at first only gently seduce, then deceitfully begin to drive as a hard taskmaster, the Spirit relies on persuasion rather than force. In fact, Paul goes to some pains to avoid misunderstanding on this very point, assuring us that the Spirit's leadership does not involve a new bondage that is no improvement over the old in which fear ruled the life (probably a fear of the consequences of sin and a fear of death, as in Heb2:15).

The result of this "being led" is that the Spirit is progressively sanctifying God's elect, setting them apart more & more from the world and more & more unto God for His purposes and His glory (2Th 2:13). There is the initial setting apart (sanctification the act ~ justification ~ past tense salvation) (Acts 20:32 26:18 Heb10:10) and then the progressive continuous process of setting apart (sanctification the process ~ present tense salvation) (Heb10:14)

THESE ARE SONS OF GOD: houtoi huioi theou eisin (3PPAI): (17; 2Cor 6:18; Gal 3:26; Eph 1:5; 1 Jn 3:1; Rev 21:7)

Sons is the Greek word huios used in [Ga4:5] of a mature child of God in a legal standing as against a child of God (teknon) in his minority (Ga4:1-3). God is the Father of all in the sense that he created all and his love and providential care are extended to all (see Mt5:45). But not all are His children. Jesus said to the unbelieving Jews of his day, "You belong to your father, the devil" (Jn8:44). People become children of God through faith in God's unique Son (Jn1:12,13), and being led by God's Spirit is the hallmark of this relationship.

The OT often comments that God “led” Israel thru the wilderness (Ex 15:13 Dt 3:2 Ps 77:20 78:52 106:9 136:16 Jer 2:6,17 Hos 11:4 Am 2:10; for the new exodus, see Isa 48:20,21; Je23:7,8) and called Israel his “sons” or “children” when he redeemed them from Egypt (Ex 4:22 Dt 14:1 32:5, 18-20 Ps 29:1 Isa1;2, 4 43:6 45:11 63:8 Jer 3:19, 22 Hos 1:10 11:1, 10). In both devotional and historical language, God’s leading was sometimes associated with his Spirit (Neh 9:20 Ps 143:10 Isa 63:14).

How Slow I Wake!
Sweet will of God! How slow I wake
To hear your quiet word
That tells my inner man to go,
Uproot, depart, to leave my ways.
But I arise. I stand to find
Your Perfect way. And ah,
My heart, long trembling, now is still.
Sweet Spirit, Guide, I go to do Your will.

Wayne Barber Notes:

Paul repeats this truth in Gal 5:16-18 "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are LED BY THE SPIRIT, you are NOT UNDER THE LAW." This is the clearest picture of what Paul is trying to say in Ro8:14. You say I want to put to death the deeds of body…Sin is controlling my life. How do I do it? You put yourself in the presence of God, the Spirit Who lives within you. You get into His Word. And you let Him rule & reign - you do whatever He says. Wayne tells about the little sign he had in his study "YES, LORD." And that settles it. It's yea, but…So the Lord speaks and He says "Wayne…don't watch that program." And Wayne says "Yes, but…" Look out. Our answer needs to be "Yes" to the Spirit leading us. Just say "Yes" to what the Spirit of God says to your heart and you develop that SENSITIVITY as you walk with Him.