When the Spirit of the Lord Speaks . . .

~ Roy Lessin

Because the Lord is our Shepherd and we are His sheep, we need His guidance and direction. We need to know His voice, listen to His voice, and follow Him (John 10).

Before the Lord ascended to the right hand of the Father, He told us that He would send us the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who has been sent to be our Encourager, Helper, Counselor, and the One who will lead us into all Truth (John 14, 16).

As we daily seek the Lord to direct our steps and guide our lives, here are a few principles we can learn about the guidance of His Spirit in our lives:

When the Spirit of the Lord speaks to us He is clear and specific.

Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Acts 11:12

When the Spirit of the Lord speaks to us His voice will most often be a still small voice that is calm and gentle in tone.

And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire [a sound of gentle stillness and] a still, small voice. 1 Kings 19:12

When the Spirit of the Lord speaks to us it will be in agreement with Christ’s heart, will, and ways.

When He has brought His own sheep outside, He walks on before them, and the sheep follow Him because they know His voice. They will never [on any account] follow a stranger, but will run away from him because they do not know the voice of strangers or recognize their call. John 10:4-5

When the Spirit of the Lord speaks to us we need to be good listeners who are desirous to obey.

The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27

When the Spirit of the Lord speaks to us we will have peace, and we will walk in peace when we obey.

And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]. Colossians 3:15

I will listen [with expectancy] to what God the Lord will say, for He will speak peace to His people. Psalm 85:8