The Spirit Speaks

Hearing God Through Scripture and Conviction

The same Spirit who hovered over creation, who filled the prophets, and who raised Jesus from the dead—now dwells within believers. He has not gone silent. He still speaks.

But many ask, “How do I hear God’s voice?”
The answer is not found in spiritual tricks, mystical formulas, or emotional hype. It begins with this: the Holy Spirit speaks through the Word of God, and He confirms it through conviction, counsel, and fruit.

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The Spirit and the Word Are Never in Conflict

“All Scripture is breathed out by God…”
— 2 Timothy 3:16

“The Spirit of truth… will guide you into all truth.”
— John 16:13

The Spirit is the author of Scripture. He is also its interpreter. He doesn’t give new truth that contradicts the old. He brings light to what’s already been spoken.

Any voice, prompting, or “revelation” that contradicts Scripture is not from the Holy Spirit. The Spirit leads us to Christ, not away from Him. He exalts the written Word because He authored it.

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Conviction: The Spirit’s Internal Witness

“When He comes, He will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.”
— John 16:8

Conviction is not the same as guilt. Guilt pushes us away from God. Conviction draws us back. The Spirit convicts to correct, not to condemn (Romans 8:1).

In the early Church:

• Believers didn’t rely on inner feelings alone, but tested all things (1 Thess. 5:21).
• They walked in obedient surrender, not just emotional confirmation.
• They trusted the Spirit to align their conscience with God’s will.

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Hearing God through Scripture

When believers open the Bible, they do not read alone. The Spirit brings the words to life, making them clear, personal, and powerful.

“The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit… but the spiritual person discerns all things.”
— 1 Corinthians 2:14–15

The early Christians didn’t need theology degrees to understand truth. They had the Scriptures and the Spirit—and that was enough.

“If the Lord dwells in us, His Spirit will speak in us, and His truth will guide us.”
— Hermas, Mandate 11

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False Voices and the Need for Discernment

The Spirit speaks—but so does the flesh, the world, and the enemy. We must:

• Test every thought (2 Corinthians 10:5)
• Examine every spirit (1 John 4:1)
• Know the Shepherd’s voice (John 10:4–5)

The Spirit of God is not confusing, not manipulative, and never contradicts the character of Christ.

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What We Can Learn

1. The Holy Spirit speaks primarily through Scripture.
2. Conviction is His way of guiding us in truth and holiness.
3. Every voice must be tested against God’s Word.
4. Disciples listen not for emotional confirmation, but for spiritual truth.

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Sources:

• The Holy Bible — 2 Timothy 3:16; John 16:8,13; 1 Corinthians 2:14–15; 1 John 4:1; 2 Corinthians 10:5; John 10:4–5; Romans 8:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:21
• Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 11
• The Didache, ch. 4
• Tertullian, On the Soul
• Origen, On First Principles

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