Discover How to Hear God’s Voice and Discern Spiritual Direction
I’ve shared with you the arc of my faith journey, the spiritual transformations I’ve experienced so far in my life. I built upon that by relating my experiences in reading the Bible and praying for my children and future generations.
Next, I decided to share how I learned to hear from God and receive Holy Spirit insight.
A Key Question
People often ask me how they can hear from their Creator. It seemed a great idea to tell you how I learned to discern God’s voice. Alas, I’ve already blogged about it. Not once, but twice. (Yes, I write so much that I sometimes forget what I’ve written.)
Though the two posts share the same essential tips, read both to get the full picture. Each post has unique content that can inform the other.
I realize the way I discovered how to hear from God may not work for everyone, but it will work for some. I pray it works for you.
Building on this theme of listening to God and discerning his voice, I covered Simeon and Anna who both encounter baby Jesus shortly after he is born (Luke 2:22-40).
God reveals to Simeon, a godly man, that he will live long enough to see the long-anticipated Savior. One morning the Holy Spirit prompts Simeon to go to the temple. Simeon obeys and meets baby Jesus, just as supernaturally promised.
Anna, who already spends much time at the temple, also sees Jesus. She praises God and confirms the baby is the Savior who the people anticipate. How does she know this? The Holy Spirit reveals it to her.
I also wrote about hearing God speak from an Old Testament perspective, about Moses and Ezekiel. At that time, not everyone had God’s Spirit living in them and only a few could discern God’s words.
In this case, people who wanted to hear from God, would seek an intermediary.
Today’s Truth about Holy Spirit Insight
Today it’s no longer necessary to ask someone to inquire of God on our behalf (but if you need to, don’t be shy about asking for help).
Through Jesus, we all have the gift of God’s Spirit living in us. If we follow Jesus, we all have the potential to hear God’s voice and receive Holy Spirit insight.
This doesn’t mean everyone can do so—at least not yet. But the capacity resides within us. To realize Holy Spirit insight requires us to pursue it and practice.
As we do, we may not always hear fully, but hearing something from God is better than hearing nothing.
If you don’t try to hear Holy Spirit insight, it won’t happen.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.
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