Believers often grapple with the challenge of distinguishing their own thoughts from the voice of the Holy Spirit. David Diga Hernandez, in an exclusive Charisma News interview, emphasizes the importance of recognizing that hearing the Holy Spirit is not a skill to be acquired but a sense to be sharpened.
Hernandez notes, “It’s not a matter of getting Him to speak to you; it’s a matter of being silent and still enough that you might hear the voice of the Holy Spirit clearly among the other voices,” including the satanic, secular, fleshly and self-driven ones.
In John 10:27, Jesus reassures believers with the words, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” As His sheep, we can attune our ears to the voice of God by following these three key principles:
1. Foundational Knowledge: The Word of God. Recognizing the voice of the Holy Spirit starts with a solid foundation in the Word of God. As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 highlights, Scriptures are profitable for every good work, including discerning the Holy Spirit’s voice. Hernandez further emphasizes this point, stating, “If you’re serious about hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit, you’ll get serious about knowing the Word of God.”
Rather than viewing it as a skill to be acquired, believers should see it as a sense to be sharpened. Reading the Word of God becomes a grounding force, stabilizing believers in the spiritual realm. To hear the Holy Spirit clearly, a sincere commitment to knowing and understanding the Word of God is paramount.
2. Practical Application: Silence and Stillness. Creating an environment of silence and stillness is crucial for tuning into the Holy Spirit’s voice. Matthew 6:6 emphasizes the importance of finding a quiet place for prayer, away from distractions. Practicing silence involves intentionally setting aside external disturbances, such as turning off phones and committing to seclusion.
Stillness, on the other hand, is the quieting of the soul, focusing on Jesus in prayer. This process unveils inner chaos, allowing believers to address and overcome distractions, anxieties and turmoil within themselves.
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3. Spiritual Alignment: Walking in Obedience. Living righteously is key to discerning the Holy Spirit’s voice. According to Scripture, the steps of the righteous are ordered by the Lord. Obedience to the Word of God is paramount, and believers must act on general commands before expecting specific instructions from the Holy Spirit. This alignment with righteousness creates a clear channel for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. By prioritizing these three practices—knowing the Word, practicing silence and stillness, and walking in obedience—believers can silence competing voices and enhance their ability to hear the Holy Spirit’s voice with clarity in their daily lives.
Discerning the voice of the Holy Spirit is an ongoing journey. Grounding oneself in the Word of God, practicing silence and stillness, and walking in obedience cultivate an environment where the Holy Spirit’s voice becomes increasingly clear amid the noise of competing influences. This three-point guide offers practical steps to help believers navigate the spiritual realm and experience a deeper connection with the Holy Spirit.
Remember, “It’s not a matter of getting Him to speak to you; it’s a matter of being silent and still enough that you might hear the voice of the Holy Spirit clearly among the other voices.”
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Chad Dunlap is the executive vice president for business development for Charisma Media.
