Listening to the Holy Spirit

Discerning when the Holy Spirit is Speaking

There are three primary sources that could be speaking to us other than people: our imagination, the enemy, and the Holy Spirit. All these sources speak to our inner being (everything not physical), which is shown in the image below. We make a decision on what we receive with our mind. It is important to test and discern what we are receiving. God most of the time speaks to our spirit which means that it will often seem like you are speaking to yourself. This can be as thoughts, feelings, impressions, desires, pictures, and etc. (1 John 4:1-3, 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21, 1 Corinthians 2:16, Romans 8:16). The following are helpful suggestions to discerning:

  • Is it the complete truth (%100 truth, not %90 truth & %10 lie). Truth is tested against the Holy Bible, conscience, and if our spirit bears witness (John 8:44, Romans 2:15, 8:16, 9:1, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Job, Hebrews 11:16)

  • Do you have a deep conviction that it is what God wants or not, you know, that you know, that you know. Do you have faith/believe it is what God wants? (Hebrews 11, Galatians 2:20, 2 Corinthians 5:7)

  • Do other Christians think that it is from the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:29, 2 Corinthians 13:1, Proverbs 11:14)

  • Does it go against who God is: His character (loving & gentle) and giving Him glory (Isaiah 42:8, 1 Corinthians 3:21, 13:4-8)

  • Do you have peace about what you are getting or do you have a lack of peace? This should not be confused with not wanting to do something (John 14:27, Galatians 5:22-23, Philippians 4:7)

There is no pressure on you to get it right or your ability to act on what the Holy Spirit is saying, He will enable you and lead you! Trust Him! He will make your paths straight! (Proverbs 3:5-6, 16:9, 20:24, Romans 12:2, Philippians 2:13, Psalm 16:7). 

Ways the Holy Spirit Speaks

Listening to the Holy Spirit becomes easier when knowing that a Christian is a new creation, has the mind of Jesus, and that God wants to speak to people! It is also helpful to believe that the Lord can speak in all the ways that He does and to have a desire to hear Him! The following is a list of the ways the Holy Spirit speaks:

  • Scripture: The Lord spoke through prophets and apostles and had them record it so some of what He said would be written down. This serves as a base of truth, no other ways will contradict the Bible (Luke 4:17-21, 24:45, John 10:34-36, 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

  • Through our spirit (intuition, conscience, mind, heart): A sense or impression, a deep desire or longing to do something. It also could be bringing something to our mind and/or repeated word or words (thoughts), peace or no peace about a decision (Mark 1:12, John 16:13, Acts 8:29, 10:19-20, 16:6, 1 Corinthians 2:16, Romans 8:16). 

  • Other Christians: The Lord will speak through other Christians, this should be treated with caution and testing (Matthew 10:20, Acts 4:8, 21:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21).

  • Visions: Seeing an image in our mind or an altered reality. Can also be a motion scene (Acts 10:10-16, Acts 16:9-10, Revelations 1:10). 

  • Dreams: Having an image or motion scene while sleeping (Matthew 2:12,2:22, Acts 2:17). 

  • Nature: When nature interacts with us in a way that guides us in the Lord’s will or confronts us (Numbers 22:28, 1 Kings 17:6, Jonah 1).

  • Angels: The Lord sends a heavenly being to speak on His behalf (Acts 8:26, 10:3-4).

  • Confirming Circumstances: This is often an affirmation to another way the Lord is speaking. Sometimes it will seem like an impossible reality and yet it will work out, other times a door is opened in front of you (Judges 6:37-40, Acts 10, Revelation 3:7-8). 

There is no pressure on you to hear the Holy Spirit, it is not based on your ability, He will do the communicating and He wants to! You need to trust and have faith in Him! It is often quite natural! (Proverbs 3:5-6, Matthew 10:20, John 10:27, Philippians 2:13). No need to try and force it and the Holy Spirit will not force you to do anything.

Application

Individually: Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you and help you know when He is leading you! Have a posture of paying attention to how He could be speaking throughout your day. If you think He might have said something, write it down and test it. A quick exercise could be as follows:

  • Ask the Holy Spirit to bring to mind a bird (color works as well). Note: you may get the bird in the format of: a name or image or an impression or even the sound of one. If you don't feel like you got anything just pick one!

  • Then ask Him why He brought that bird to mind

If struggling with focus or know if you are generating something with your own mind try the following:

  • Picture a blank white piece of paper in your mind

  • Ask the Holy Spirit to put on the paper what He wants to say to you

Group: The above exercise also works well in a group with one person leading. Another option is to break up into groups (works best 2-5 people) and do the following:

  • One at a time share briefly about yourself (<2 min)

  • All other people in a group ask the Holy Spirit what He wants to say to that person and share it with them!