Keys to Spirit-Led Living: Hearing and Obeying the Voice of the Holy Spirit
KEYS TO SPIRIT-LED LIVING
Hearing and Obeying the Voice of the Holy Spirit
CONFLICTING MESSAGES
There has been a great deal of discussion about what God is saying today. Social media has been inundated with videos of prophets prophesying conflicting messages; preachers are preaching conflicting messages; news networks are broadcasting conflicting messages; people on the street have their personal opinions which conflict with that of others; and at times all these even contradict themselves. Christians and non-Christians alike are confused by the bombardment of contradicting information coming from so many sources. Who can be trusted to tell the truth? Who even knows the truth?
ITCHING EARS
Christians are as likely to disagree as to what the truth may be as much as those in the world do. There is a tendency for people to lend credence to those that agree with their opinion or agenda while ignoring or denigrating the rest. It is a natural tendency, and it is one to beware of. One could fall victim to itching-ears syndrome and be led completely off track. If allowed to continue, a person could find themselves completely blinded to the truth.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 NKJV
IT IS POSSIBLE TO HEAR THE TRUTH CLEARLY
There is nothing more valuable than hearing God’s voice and there has been no greater need for God’s people to clearly hear His voice than now.
What if it were possible to become so in tune with the voice of the Holy Spirit that a person could sense the truth when faced with conflicting information from seemingly reliable sources? What if one could avoid making a mistake? What if one could consistently find themselves in the right place at the right time with the right words to say and know the right thing to do? What if a person could make right decisions on a regular basis, even when the future is unclear?
These things are possible for every born-again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus told His disciples that He would send the Holy Spirit to help them and lead them through their lives. He didn’t say anything about the Holy Spirit’s presence being on again, off again, but that He would be with them forever.
16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. John 14:16-18 NKJV
THE HOLY SPIRIT WITHIN
Every Christian has the Holy Spirit living within them. The thing is that believers must make a choice and learn to refuse to be led by their own intellect, emotions, feelings, reasonings, logic, circumstances, etc. (Those things are all motivated by what a person sees, hears, and experiences.) Instead, one must refuse to allow themselves to be motivated by surrounding happenings and the influences of the world and become determined to find out what the Holy Spirit is saying and doing and follow along (or cooperate) with Him.
This is good news for those that are tired of being pushed around by life’s daily occurrences and the constant struggle of trying to make the right decision when nothing makes sense.
When looking for direction from God, believers must learn to look internally because the Spirit of God communicates to the human mind through the human spirit. He knows the right thing to do and can be found when looking within and listening for His voice.
EXPECT TO BE LED BY GOD
Children of God can expect to be led by God (Romans 8:14-17). God has given His Word, His Son, and His Spirit for the purpose of enabling each of His children to live their lives to their full potential. He has unbelievably wonderful plans for each one (Jeremiah 29:11; Ephesians 2:10) and God’s plans do not change when adverse circumstances arise.
From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture is full of God’s guidance and instruction (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Integrity Seminary is offering a practical course taught by Dr. Lyvenda Reckner entitled Keys to Spirit-Led Living: Hearing and Obeying the Voice of the Holy Spirit. This course covers seven specific keys that, when applied, will increase sensitivity to hearing the voice of the Spirit. Anyone with the sincere desire to follow the Holy Spirit and experience God’s best in their personal lives and ministry will benefit greatly from this course. https://www.integrityseminary.net/course?courseid=spirit-led-living-hearing-and-obeying-the-voice-of-the-holy-spirit
9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 11 If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Luke 11:9-13 NKJV
EVERY KEY IS IMPORTANT
As the saying goes concerning the gifts of the Spirit, the most important gift is the one needed now. The same principle applies to the keys that increase an individual’s sensitivity to hearing God’s voice. Certainly, there are more than seven things a believer can do to enhance their relationship with God and tune up their spiritual ears. Different things are needed at different times throughout life. There is no step-by-step formula to one’s relationship with God.
The topics discussed in Keys to Spirit-Led Living may or may not be things one would typically consider as being an asset (or a hindrance) to being able to hear God, but they are issues common to all believers. Things like maintaining a clear conscience before God and seeking to live a holy life may be givens in the minds of most believers. But the how-tos tend to become an issue. These keys will help one grow and mature in their relationship with the Lord by addressing the practical issues encountered in daily life. Increased sensitivity to God’s voice will be the result.
And He [Jesus] called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Luke 8:8)
GOD’S WISDOM IS GOD’S PLAN
In trying times and conflicting situations, it is often difficult to know what to do. God is the Source of all wisdom and He promises to give His wisdom to everyone who asks for it. (James 1:5) The Holy Spirit is ready and waiting to give the wisdom and discernment needed to determine His truth, find out His plan, and His direction no matter what the turn of events may be. None who seek to hear His voice will be denied.
No situation exists that can prevent God from fulfilling His plan. He is God and there is no other! Cooperation on the part of the believer is all that is needed.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
KEY #7 – HOLDING STEADY
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 1 Corinthians 2:12 NKJV
God wants His people to know what to do and He wants to help them do it. All that is required is faith in His ability to speak and the Holy Spirit’s ability to help them hear and do what He has spoken.
Once God has given His wisdom and direction, refuse to allow the winds of adversity and contradicting voices to bring doubt and fear. Learn to stand firm and have confidence in the God of the universe who loves and cares for all His children equally.
Make the determination to hear what the Holy Spirit is speaking today. He may speak through His written Word, through a pastor or friend, a circumstance, or any number of things. Keep an open heart and a listening ear; His voice will be heard.
The person who will stand firmly on what they hear God say will make right decisions and weather every storm successfully because they will be fully persuaded that God has spoken to them; they will have confidence in His Word to them, and nothing will sway them from His path.
23 Then you will walk safely in your way, and your foot will not stumble. 24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. 25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; 26 for the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught. Proverbs 3:23-26 MEV
