Christian Living

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THE SPIRIT SPEAKS



By what means does the Holy Spirit speak to us? I do not recall this being discussed, except for some passing references. Although it seems to be of critical importance. I am reminded in this regard of the experience of the prophet Elijah. When threatened by Jezebel, he “was afraid and ran for his life” (1 Kings 19:3). Upon reaching Horeb, the mountain of God, the Lord enjoined him: “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” “Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountain apart, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.”
What are we to make of this? If by way of precedent, the Holy Spirit may speak to us in a gentle whisper. Hardly intelligible, demanding our careful attention. I seem to have experienced this on occasion, but am aware that the adversary might also lead us astray in this manner.
How else does the Holy Spirit communicate to us? Certainly via Scripture. “All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16). So when tempted by Satan, Jesus employed the refrain: “It is written” (Luke 4:4, 8), and “It says” (v. 12).
One of my former students confided in me that her pastor told the congregation that they need no longer rely on Scripture, because he served as God’s means of communication to them. Fortunately, she was not convinced.
Are there still other ways by what the Holy Spirit speaks to us? “Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas” (Acts 16:6-8). While details are lacking, circumstances appear to have provided the means of communication.
“During the night Paul had a vision of a man in Macedonia standing and begging him, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’ After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” Here two features are combined: the vision and a reasoned response.
As for the former, I do not recall having experienced anything comparable. Although others report having done so. As for the latter, a friend observed: “If God gave us a mind, he obviously meant us to use it.” While reason is not infallible, it can be a means employed by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of communication.
Intuition may also be a legitimate means by which the Holy Spirit prompts us. As such, we seem to sense what course of action to take, even though the reason seems obscure. Granted, intuition can also be misleading.
In any case, we can subsequently fine-tune our response. Which appears to be more often the case than not. So that we might conclude that the Holy Spirit is active in this regard as well.
While not an exhaustive list, one further instance comes to mind. Daniel interceded on behalf of the wise men, so that they would not be put to death (cf. Dan. 2:34-49). This would suggest that the Holy Spirit may speak to us through other persons.
It recalls a time when I was discouraged with the prospects for publishing. In particular, it seemed that the publishers were increasingly focusing on sales, to the virtual exclusion of substance. But when visited by a former colleague, he strongly urged me to continue—seemingly as if an agent of the Holy Spirit. So I have continued without regret. All things considered, we ought to be attentive to the Spirit’s leading.

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