“I felt like he was talking just to me.”
How many times have you heard someone say that in a church setting, or perhaps you’ve said it yourself a time or two. They mean the pastor or speaker of course, but they are many times inferring that it was the Holy Spirit reaching out to them. When we read the Scriptures at times, it does seem that the Lord is speaking directly to us, convicting us, it is how Romans 12:2 is fulfilled, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
I firmly believe that we can hear the voice of the Holy Spirit in our mind at times, but I also believe that without great Spiritual discernment, we can just as easily deceive ourselves. That voice may only be us. There is one sure way that this can be determined, can what you heard be verified in the Word of God, that is the final authority.
Not what the pastor says, but what the Scriptures say.
I do not believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has come down to have dinner and a conversation with anyone since He went back to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, but I, nor anyone else can say for sure. I do know that Hebrews 13:2 is true, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Why they would not, or not be allowed to reveal who they are I do not know, I just know that it happens because the Word of God says it does.
They are ministering spirits, and as far as I can recall, they have always done so in the past for one of two reasons, to bring a message from the Lord, or to perform an action for Him, they do not show up at our door or in our lives for idle banter.
Does Satan or one who fell with him occasionally whisper in our ears? Possibly, but you would need to be noticed by him, and I believe he would need to ask first, or at least have had received previous permission granted to him first.
So then, these voices in our head, as it were, how can we be sure that they are from the Holy Spirit, how can we know when He who dwells within us is actually, audibly speaking to us? First off, I believe, and these are nothing more than conjecture mind you, that those words would glorify God. It is our main and sole responsibility in this life, so if what you hear in your mind does not in some way, shape or form glorify the Most High, then it is not the Holy Spirit.
Second, I would say is that the words you hear are pure, that is the best way I can think to describe them. They are righteous, holy, virtuous, there is no guile in them.
Lastly, I would say that they encourage, they make the current situation look brighter, more hopeful, they bring a peace that passes all understanding, or at least infer spiritual wisdom to the situation at hand.
Great caution must be exhibited here, for the one person on this planet that finds it the easiest to deceive you is you.
I believe another thing that I will impart to you in this short letter, I believe that when the Holy Spirit speaks to us it is more a feeling, an intuitive impression, for lack of a better phrase. We know because He tells us so. Jesus is not going to call you on the phone, you are not going to see Him on the television or internet, He will not ring your doorbell. He will speak to your heart, to your very soul, and if you have been crucified with Him, you will hear Him clearly.
He will make sure of that.
