Asking the Holy Spirit to speak to you, then waiting in silence
"Does God speak today?" Many believers ask themselves this question, with a mix of longing and caution. This quest invites you to a simple experiment: ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you, then be quiet for a few minutes, without unreasonable expectations.
What it looks like in your day
Settle into a quiet place, and proceed in four steps:
- Say what you have come to do. "Holy Spirit, I have come to listen to you. Speak, I am here."
- Ask a simple question, if you have one. "Is there something you want to tell me today?" Or: "What is the next small thing to do?"
- Wait in silence, three to five minutes. Breathe slowly, let come what comes.
- Note what you perceive, without judging it in the moment: a verse that keeps coming back, an image, a thought, a person to call, a sense of peace, or nothing at all.
What you perceive, most of the time, will not be spectacular. It is often a very ordinary thought: "Call your mother," "Apologize to that colleague," "Reread that passage." There is nothing mystical about it, but it can be precious.
If you are in a hurry, three minutes is enough. If you are a beginner, don't try to hear a voice: simply ask for attention to the little things. If you are shy about this kind of experience, move forward carefully, talking with a brother or sister about what you perceive.
What the Bible says
Jesus promised that the Spirit would accompany his disciples, not only to comfort them but also to guide them:
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”
He also made clear that the Spirit would help them remember what he had taught:
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
Notice: the Spirit will speak "whatsoever he shall hear" and will "bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." What he says is always tied to Jesus and to his Word. The Spirit does not contradict Scripture. That gives you a criterion: if what you perceive is at odds with what the Bible says, it is not from him.
Paul writes that "as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God" (Romans 8:14). Being led by the Spirit is not reserved for a few, it is a reality for all God's children. And the story of Elijah reminds us that God doesn't always speak in noise: he came to him in "a still small voice" (1 Kings 19:12).
Pitfalls to avoid
Taking every thought for a word from God. Our thoughts, desires and fears mix easily. Always test what you perceive: is it consistent with the Bible? Does it bear the fruit of the Spirit, that is, love, joy, peace, patience? Is it confirmed by wise brothers and sisters?
Cutting yourself off from others. If you receive a "word" that concerns someone else, or an important decision, don't treat it as an order: talk it over with a trusted person before acting.
Looking for the spectacular. Many people get discouraged because they hear "nothing." But that is not a failure: the Spirit also works through peace, light on a text, the strength to obey. Stay simple.
Feeling guilty if there is no answer. Silence is not rejection. God speaks when and as he wishes, and he has already spoken to you a great deal in his Word.
Putting experience above Scripture. Experience can shed light, but the Bible remains the foundation. Get into the habit of rereading a passage after your time of silence.
Tomorrow, try five minutes. Ask, be quiet, note what comes. Little by little you will learn to recognize the way God speaks to you.