“Then the Spirit said to Philip …” (Acts 8:29, NKJ)
In the previous few teachings we have tried to clarify the “user conditions” that relate to hearing the voice of God. Gal 4:6 states unequivocally that the Holy Spirit has been given as the voice of God in us: “And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts …” After you became born again, your spirit became alive and you were “sealed with the Holy Spirit” (Eph 1:13) and thus 1 Cor 6:17 says: “But He who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.” As it is stated in Rom 8:16: “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God …” Thus Jesus gave this promise to His followers in John 16:13: “However, when He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”
For this reason we can say, like Paul: “These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” (1 Cor 2:13). Indeed, like Jesus also taught: “for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you” (Matt 10:20). Thus, when we walk in communion with God, we can say, as Agabus did in Acts 21:11: “Thus says the Holy Spirit …”
As previously stated, the Holy Spirit speaks as a “still small voice”, a thought that comes up in your spirit. When you hear it you must unite it with faith that it is indeed God’s voice, and then be obedient.
It is important to say that the voice of the Spirit of God in us will always demonstrate the fruits of the Spirit; it will thus always testify of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal 5:22). It will never speak against the Word of God – in fact “the sword of the Spirit” IS “the Word of God” (Eph 6:17). We continuously test what we hear from God against the wider principles of the Word of God.
Remember what Rom 8:14 spells out: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” And: “we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him” (Acts 5:32).
- Sela: It is of utmost importance that, from today, you seriously attempt to hear the voice of God for yourself. And be eager to be obedient! (2 Cor 5:9).
- Read: 1 Sam 2; Ps 119:1-56 ; Acts 27
- Memorise: 1 Sam 2:35
- Going deeper: Read Jack Deere’s excellent book Surprised by the power of the Spirit.
