And pray in the Spirit …
Summary: The voice of God is a still, quiet voice that comes to us in the night or the quiet of our prayers. Discerning the voice of God is a personal challenge that confronts every Christian who has the Spirit of God in them.
We would be remiss if we spent all this time talking about praying in the Spirit and we didn’t discuss the Inner Voice. We all are familiar with the inner voice of our own thoughts, but what about the Inner Voice of God’s Spirit?
We already know that Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to all who believe in him (John 14:26, 15:26), and Paul teaches us that the children of God are “led by the Spirit of God” (Romans 8:14). If then, we have the Spirit in us, and we are “led by the Spirit,” how does that work? Does the Spirit of God speak to us somehow?
The answer is “Yes.”
Let’s begin with the simplest of messages. Paul writes:
“Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’” (Galatians 4:6)
Have you ever heard that voice cry out in you?
It is easy to discount the Inner Voice of God because it is not the voice of our own thoughts. We hear it, but we don’t understand. Again, Paul writes:
“The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 2;14)
If this is difficult for us to accept, it is because we are trying hard to be “grown up,” and everyone knows that grownups don’t believe in such things as “voices” that no one can see. (But then again, it is grownups who seem to cause all the problems in the world, too. Hmmm…)
Jesus himself warns us about this when he says, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3) Paul echoes this message when he writes, “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” (Romans 8:14)
But there is a danger in being too childlike. Children are teachable, but they are also gullible. How do we know we are listening to the right voices?
The key is Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit acknowledges Jesus. Any spirit that hints that there are other truths or other ways to heaven is a lying spirit. (1 John 4:1-3, 1 Corinthians 12:3)
Listen!
“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
“So, as the Holy Spirit says:
“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts
as you did in the rebellion …” (Hebrews 3:7-8)
Application: Listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit.
Food for Thought: How are we to talk about something as personal as the voice of the Holy Spirit?
How are we to talk about something as personal as the voice of the Holy Spirit?
Maybe on a daily devotional blog?
Nice Tim!!
That certainly is one way. 🙂
Nice T.
I think that talking about it is not as powerful as living it. If we talk about the Spirit but don’t walk in the Spirit, that doesn’t do a lot of good for others. But if our talk is backed up by our walk, then the talk will be easier to hear. Galatians 5: 16 – 26; James 2: 14 – 26.
Great verses, Rich!
I completely agree with your point that how we live is the best indication of having God’s Holy Spirit in us. I love the verses you shared, too! Thank you!
I wholeheartedly agree with Rich. I often share with my oldest son how the Holy Spirit has worked in my life. I know he listens but I also know he measures my words against my reactions to things and how I live my life.
2 Timothy 2:15 ESV Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
Thanks, Chris!
Your son is both an inspiration for your faith walk and a beneficiary of it.
Blessings!
11-19-2923, How are we to talk about something as personal as the voice of the Holy Spirit?
We talk about God the Father, God the Son, why would we consider the voice of God, The Spirit, too personal to to talk about.
We must know there is no Good in us. It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that we have received faith, we grow in faith, speak in faith, and act in faith. It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus Christ is seen n our lives.
Romans 3:10-12, Psalm 14:1-3, Psalm 53:1-3
The Holy Spirit is our Advocate sent and given to us by Jesus Christ John 16:7, John 20:21-22
The Holy Spirit is the third person of God. He convicts all of sin, righteousness, and judgement to come and guides believers into all truth, the power leading us into maturity.
John16:8-13, Hebrews 6:1-3
The Holy Spirit in each believers life, actions is proof we have been accepted by God, Acts 15:8
In today’s church I often hear believers speaking of things they have done, and when given an opportunity to share, I am led to present the reality of what Christ in me, by the power of the Holy Spirit has done through me. Philippians 4:13,2 Peter 1:3-5
We should publicly, praise our three in one God for all He has done in us and does through us. We are simply humble servants who have responded to His call by the Holy Spirit. Servants who have been instructed in His word and empowered to share Gods truths with others. We are simply servants, trying to be good and faithful in word and deed as we live the life we have been given.
Well said, Ron.
I like the way you put it:
“We talk about God the Father, God the Son, why would we consider the voice of God, The Spirit, too personal to talk about?”
Why indeed?
Then you write, “I am led to present the reality of what Christ in me, by the power of the Holy Spirit has done through me.”
Isn’t the story of how God convicted me of sin part of my testimony? Absolutely!
I appreciate you framing the topic this way. Thank you!