Responding to the Inner Promptings of the Holy Spirit
“29) Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join this chariot.”” Acts 8:29
“2) While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”” Acts 13:2
“10) For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 11) For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. 12) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God,” 1 Corinthians 2:10-12
I want to speak about a subject seldom mentioned in the modern church. Every born-again and Spirit filled believer has the inner voice of the Holy Spirit within them.
He sometimes speaks to convict us of personal sin. Sometimes He teaches us and illuminates biblical truth to us. Other times He can give us a word of wisdom, knowledge or insight. Other times He is the Divine problem solver. Many times I have been stuck with a mechanical or building issue and the Holy Spirit has suddenly gives me the solution.
More often, the Holy Spirit fills the role of our guide. He did this for Phillip and the church at Antioch in the first two verses mentioned above.
As you learn to walk in the Spirit, caution must be taken because there are several voices that scream for our attention. My flesh has a voice. My emotions have a voice. My human reason has a voice. The world has a voice. The enemy has a voice and can shoot thoughts into my mind. But the inner Holy Spirit also has a voice.
So how do we discern the voice of the Holy Spirit? This is an important question. I have gotten it wrong. I have both acted on the wrong voice and ignored the promptings of the Holy Spirit. It takes time and practice to discern the inner voice of the Holy Spirit and walk in His ways.
Let me give you some insights into discerning the inner voice of the Holy Spirit.
First, does it line up with Scripture or does it lead me into sin or compromise?
Second, does it glorify Jesus or promote myself and my desires?
Third, does it advance the gospel or will the outcome be a distraction?
Fourth, is it accompanied by the fruit of the Spirit or promote the deeds of the flesh?
Fifth, as you wait on the Lord in sincere prayer, does the prompting grow louder and clearer?
Sixth, does stepping out and immediately obeying the inner prompting require faith, courage and obedience in ways that I would not naturally do?
Finally, is the Holy Spirit confirming and affirming the prompting in other ways? This may include things like accompanying circumstances, divine provisions, supernatural encounters with people, a stronger inner tug and confirming conversations from others who know nothing of your inner promptings.
When in doubt, I step out and obey and leave the results to God. This especially applies to speaking to a stranger, inserting the gospel into a conversation or meeting a financial or material need when prompted. I have hundreds of stories of how God has supernaturally worked through obeying small inner promptings of the Holy Spirit over the years.
In fact, GoServ Global started because I felt an inner nudge to pick up the phone and call Ken DeYoung when he returned from flying relief into Haiti at his own expense. God prompted me to call him and listen to his story. At that point, Ken was little more than an acquaintance.
I don’t even remember how I heard about his crazy step of obedience to take off and fly his own plane into that disaster. All I knew is that the Holy Spirit was strongly prompting me to pick up the phone and call Ken. I obeyed that inner voice. The rest is history.
As you grow in your walk with Jesus, that inner voice will get stronger and clearer. You will make mistakes. Be patient, humble and teachable. You will also begin to experience God in extraordinary ways.
Make it your hearts desire to serve Jesus and walk in the Spirit! Take responsibility when you mess up; give Him all the glory when the miraculous unfolds before you.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“29) Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join this chariot.”” Acts 8:29
“2) While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”” Acts 13:2
“10) For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 11) For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. 12) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God,” 1 Corinthians 2:10-12
I want to speak about a subject seldom mentioned in the modern church. Every born-again and Spirit filled believer has the inner voice of the Holy Spirit within them.
He sometimes speaks to convict us of personal sin. Sometimes He teaches us and illuminates biblical truth to us. Other times He can give us a word of wisdom, knowledge or insight. Other times He is the Divine problem solver. Many times I have been stuck with a mechanical or building issue and the Holy Spirit has suddenly gives me the solution.
More often, the Holy Spirit fills the role of our guide. He did this for Phillip and the church at Antioch in the first two verses mentioned above.
As you learn to walk in the Spirit, caution must be taken because there are several voices that scream for our attention. My flesh has a voice. My emotions have a voice. My human reason has a voice. The world has a voice. The enemy has a voice and can shoot thoughts into my mind. But the inner Holy Spirit also has a voice.
So how do we discern the voice of the Holy Spirit? This is an important question. I have gotten it wrong. I have both acted on the wrong voice and ignored the promptings of the Holy Spirit. It takes time and practice to discern the inner voice of the Holy Spirit and walk in His ways.
Let me give you some insights into discerning the inner voice of the Holy Spirit.
First, does it line up with Scripture or does it lead me into sin or compromise?
Second, does it glorify Jesus or promote myself and my desires?
Third, does it advance the gospel or will the outcome be a distraction?
Fourth, is it accompanied by the fruit of the Spirit or promote the deeds of the flesh?
Fifth, as you wait on the Lord in sincere prayer, does the prompting grow louder and clearer?
Sixth, does stepping out and immediately obeying the inner prompting require faith, courage and obedience in ways that I would not naturally do?
Finally, is the Holy Spirit confirming and affirming the prompting in other ways? This may include things like accompanying circumstances, divine provisions, supernatural encounters with people, a stronger inner tug and confirming conversations from others who know nothing of your inner promptings.
When in doubt, I step out and obey and leave the results to God. This especially applies to speaking to a stranger, inserting the gospel into a conversation or meeting a financial or material need when prompted. I have hundreds of stories of how God has supernaturally worked through obeying small inner promptings of the Holy Spirit over the years.
In fact, GoServ Global started because I felt an inner nudge to pick up the phone and call Ken DeYoung when he returned from flying relief into Haiti at his own expense. God prompted me to call him and listen to his story. At that point, Ken was little more than an acquaintance.
I don’t even remember how I heard about his crazy step of obedience to take off and fly his own plane into that disaster. All I knew is that the Holy Spirit was strongly prompting me to pick up the phone and call Ken. I obeyed that inner voice. The rest is history.
As you grow in your walk with Jesus, that inner voice will get stronger and clearer. You will make mistakes. Be patient, humble and teachable. You will also begin to experience God in extraordinary ways.
Make it your hearts desire to serve Jesus and walk in the Spirit! Take responsibility when you mess up; give Him all the glory when the miraculous unfolds before you.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
