Hearing and Following the Holy Spirit’s Guidance

Hearing the voice of the Lord is essential in our walk with Him. As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, God has placed His Holy Spirit in us, and the Holy Spirit interacts directly with our human spirit. Romans 8:16 (NLT) tells us, “For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.” The Holy Spirit is continually speaking to us, guiding us with what the Father wants us to know. However, failing to recognize when He is speaking can be detrimental. John 16:13 (NLT) tells us, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.” When we stray from the right path, we need the Holy Spirit’s guidance to help us get back on track with God’s Will and purpose for our lives.

Proverbs 14:12 (NLT) gives us a wake-up call: “There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.” Whether you’re choosing a new home, picking a career, or deciding who to date, navigating these choices wisely is crucial, because they impact our relationship with God and the plan He has for us. This is where the Holy Spirit comes in. According to Job 33:15 (NLT), the Spirit “speaks in dreams, in visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in their beds.” Through dreams and visions, God provides guidance, steering us away from dangerous paths and helping us fall in line with His Will. So, as you make important decisions, remain open to the Spirit’s whispers and dreams, and pay attention to what he is saying to you.

Rest is very important to hearing the Spirit’s voice. Psalm 46:10 (NLT) says, “Be still, and know that I am God!” In Isaiah 30:15 (NLT), Our Heavenly Father told His people, “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it.” And in Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT), our Lord and Savior said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” He offers rest to the weary, showing us that spiritually resting in him is essential for learning from him and receiving his guidance.

We must also be aware that we have a spiritual enemy who seeks to obstruct our ability to perceiving and hearing the Spirit’s guidance. This adversary, the devil, often employs various tactics to disrupt our clarity. Situations that cause continual distractions, worries and anxieties, and negative thoughts are some of the tools used to undermine our peace and rest. By recognizing these interruptions for what they are, we can better guard our spiritual well-being, and remain at rest in God and in tune with the Holy Spirit’s direction.

This requires our diligence and attentiveness to our spiritual life. In John 10:9 (NKJV), Jesus Christ said, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” He is the door or gate through which we can enter into his safety, spiritual nourishment, and rest for our souls. However, in the spiritual realm, there are also counterfeit doors that we can enter, and these are traps set by satan to lure us into the imprisonment of darkness. We protect ourselves from this by praying that God will close all other doors that do not lead to Him through Jesus Christ. We need to make this a habit pattern before we go to bed at night or even take a leisurely nap. This helps protect us from spiritual danger and keeps us aligned with God’s true path to peace, guidance, and safety.

Our precious Lord and Savior always remained close to God. There was never a moment when he was separated from our Heavenly Father except when he took on our sins through his sacrifice on the cross. He is our ultimate example. Jesus fasted, prayed constantly, and sought God alone, never turning to anyone or anything else. He knew that God held all the answers and was fully sufficient for all his needs. We are called to emulate that level of faith. Jesus is the goal and aligning ourselves with His example assures us of victory.

We are being perfected each day as we wait on our Lord and Savior’s return. Philippians 1:6 (NLT) promises, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” While we will not reach perfection during our time on this earth, striving to be more like Christ each day is God’s Will for us. He never intended for us to do this alone. He’s given us the gift of His Holy Spirit as our helper, comforter, teacher, and guide. By clinging to God and His Word, we can hear the Holy Spirit’s voice more clearly. He will guide us into all truth and help us remain on the path to God’s Will and plan for our lives.

Prayer for Protection and Guidance

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being the Door through which we find safety, nourishment, and rest. As we go about our day and prepare for rest, we ask for Your guidance and protection. Close all doors that do not lead to You and keep us from the snares of the enemy. Help us to remain vigilant and discerning, and please lead us in Your truth.

Guard our hearts and minds from deception and darkness, and grant us the peace that comes from knowing we are securely in Your care. May we continually seek You in all we do and find solace and safety in Your presence.

In the powerful and precious name of Jesus Christ, we pray,

Amen. ■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

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