Which way Should I Go? Part 2

Speaker: Pastor Paul Bailey

In this message, Pastor Paul Bailey continues his series on “Which Way Should I Go?”—a practical call to discern whether we are being led by the soul or by the Spirit. He frames the “soul” with a memorable acronym—M.E.W.A.D.: Mind, Emotions, Will, Attitude, and Desire—then contrasts it with the human spirit that communes with God’s Spirit. The key text is Proverbs 14:12 (KJV): “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Pastor Bailey argues that what “seems right” is often our MIWAD taking the lead—logic, moods, preferences, and impulses—whereas life and direction are found by submitting our inner life to the Holy Ghost.

He underscores that Scripture never sanctions guidance that contradicts God’s Word. Echoing Romans 8, he reminds listeners that there is “no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” and that “as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” To show how even sincere believers can drift, Pastor Bailey walks through Matthew 16:16–23. Peter accurately confesses, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God,” a revelation Jesus says came not from “flesh and blood” but from the Father. Moments later, Peter resists the foretold path of the cross and is rebuked: “Get thee behind me, Satan.” The lesson: spiritual sensitivity alone isn’t enough; our spirit must stay submitted to the Spirit of God so every thought is brought “into obedience of Christ.”

Turning to emotions, Pastor Bailey notes that feelings are God-given but poor leaders. Citing Ephesians 4:26—“Be ye angry, and sin not”—he adds the balancing insight: don’t be happy in sin either. Whether anger or excitement, emotion must serve obedience. From Acts 3, the healed beggar’s joy is celebrated, yet the emphasis remains: joy should follow the Spirit’s leading, not replace it.

Addressing desire, he revisits Lot’s choice in Genesis 13. Lot selected what looked easy and prosperous, pitching his tent toward Sodom, only to face devastating consequences. Desire isn’t evil, but ungoverned desire deceives. Pastor Bailey clarifies that when the psalmist says God gives “the desires of thine heart,” it points to God forming our desires as we delight in Him—not rubber-stamping our wish list.

The message closes pastorally with Revelation 3:20: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock.” God’s knock is gentle; to hear it, believers must make space—turn down the noise, carve out stillness, and cultivate attentiveness. This warm, incisive teaching will encourage you to trade what “seems right” for what is right by the Spirit. Listen in and be equipped to let MIWAD serve, not steer—and to walk the straight and narrow path that leads to life.