One of the works of the Holy Spirit is to guide and direct us. Check out the first two ways the Holy Spirit guides us in this post.
I wish I could type God’s will as my destination in Google Maps and print the turn-by-turn directions so I can study them before pressing go. But wisdom (skill for living and applying God’s word) isn’t about trying to make sense of everything before stepping out in faithful obedience.
Spiritual wisdom learns to discern the Holy Spirit leading us, one turn at a time, as we pray and seek God’s Word for guidance. Wisdom grows the more we recognize and obey the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
The more I seek God, the more I hear his still small voice guiding me. I’m so glad God didn’t leave me to my own devices to figure out my way in life. The Lord is my Good Shepherd who gently leads me every day.
Six Ways the Holy Spirit Reveals Himself
Read the first two ways the Holy Spirit reveals himself HERE.
3. The Holy Spirit Guides and Directs God’s People
“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God” (Romans 8:14).
If you are a child of God, you are led by the Spirit of God. A child of God is someone who confesses that Jesus is God’s son and died for your sins and rose again. When you become a Christian, you desire to know God in a personal way. We get to know God by studying the Bible and talking to God in prayer. The more you do this, the more you’ll be able to recognize when God is guiding you.
When I was young, my parents hired someone to tune our piano. To be honest, I didn’t even know it needed tuning. But when you have an ear for music, you can easily detect a key that’s out of tune.
The Holy Spirit helps us detect when our lives are out of tune with God. Share on X
The Bible tells us how we can walk in tune with the desires of the Spirit instead of the desires of our flesh.
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want” (Galatians 5:15-17 NIV).
Have you felt the battle of your sinful nature and the Holy Spirit at war in your life? I sure have. But even though these two forces are fighting for our attention, the Holy Spirit is stronger.
How does the Holy Spirit guide and direct us?
When we are walking in obedience to God, we will be more aware of the ways the Holy Spirit makes himself known to us.
When I get discouraged the Holy Spirit affirms me and helps me remember my purpose. The Holy Spirit also makes his comforting presence known to me when I am sad. The encouragement may come through scripture that comes to my mind, a comment left on my blog, a gift sent to me out of the blue, a song on KLOVE, a dream, or a stranger praying for me.
Once God gave me a prophetic word (words that popped into my head out of the blue) that I didn’t believe until the circumstances played out. During a writing conference, I received a prophetic word of encouragement that was given to help me when I felt afraid of pursuing God’s calling. All these occurrences aligned with scripture and either comforted me in my struggles or affirmed a calling to spread the gospel message in some way.
Take Away: The Holy Spirit helps you live your life in tune with God’s desires. He guides and directs your life to accomplish his purpose for you.
4. The Holy Spirit Provides a Godlike Atmosphere when he Manifests his Presence
The Holy Spirit is fully God. Whenever he manifests his presence among believers, he brings the attributes of God.
“God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:5).
Have you ever sensed the presence of the Holy Spirit in a worship service? Sometimes I like to look around and see all my brothers and sisters in Christ praising the Lord. Love, joy, and peace are palpable when God manifests his presence through the Holy Spirit in our lives.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other” (Galatians 5:22-26).
Last week, I listened to one of my daughter’s friends play Reckless Love on the piano. The powerful notes touched the chords of my soul in ways words cannot express. When the Holy Spirit is in tune in your life, the chorus will cause others to feel God’s amazing peace, joy, and love.
“I urge you brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me” (Romans 15:30).
Evidence of the Holy Spirit’s activity is shown in our lives when we allow Him to empower us to walk in the Spirit and turn away from sin.
Take Away: The presence of the Holy Spirit brings love, joy, and peace.
How has the Holy Spirit guided you? Have you felt the love, joy, and peace of the Holy Spirit? I would love for you to share in the comments.
The next post will list the last two ways the Holy Spirit reveals himself to believers. Check out the first post here.
Welcome to the Empowered Blog Series. Here are the first five posts in this series.
Do You Know Who the Holy Spirit Is?
Why Does God Give Christians The Gift of the Holy Spirit?
How the Holy Spirit Empowers us to Serve Him.
How the Holy Spirit Purifies Us
How the Holy Spirit Reveals Himself: Part One
Cancer. I’ve got this no matter what. That was my first thought and what I said to my family. In the ICU I was feeling so sick. So I ask God to help me feel better and tears began to roll down my face. The Holy Spirit fell on me that evening and saved me. I told God if he helped me through this that I would tell it. And I have , and I do. I was hospitalized 5 days. God sent me two evening nurses and their names were Jenn and Lisa. That’s my daughters names. Coincidence? My housekeep lady’s name was Marcella. That’s my name. All my lymph nodes came back negative. Only three rounds of chemotherapy. I was able to plan my daughters ( Lisa )wedding and enjoy every moment. That’s my God and the Holy Spirit. I had to tell. Thx for your teaching and telling the world about the Holy Spirit. I’m still learning too. ❤️
Beautiful testimony! Thank you so much for sharing Marcella! The Holy Spirit often ministers to us in such personal and tender ways! I’ve experienced his tender compassion during some hospital stays as well! I’m so sorry you are suffering with cancer and I’m praying for you. No matter what, Our Heavenly Father walks with you through every difficult step. May you sense His continual presence near you, comforting you, and giving you unexplainable peace.
Sometimes I feel that he is near , and loves me a lot a strength and joy coming from no where, a light touch …. I am still learning and get very confused but he is patient and will lead me thru I hope to find my best friend in him ..it was a beautiful message btw
Thank you for sharing Aleena, and for your kind comment. You aren’t alone. We are all in the process of learning and growing as we continually seek him. It’s ok to get confused and ask questions.
Merry Christmas,
Valerie
Such great teaching here, Valerie!
Thank you so much!