Who does the Holy Spirit speak to?

[Joseph_Botwinick]

Heard a preacher say this (not my preacher BTW):

The Holy Spirit will only speak to those who are listening. If you don't love God enough to listen to him, then why should he speak to you.

Thoughts? Comment?

Joseph Botwinick

 

[LeBuick]

Ws this a TV guy or what? I'd like to know more about what he meant.

How could a non-believer (lover) respond to the call if GOD won't speak to them?

I believe the holy spirit not only speaks to but also through and uses non-beleivers for the good of the kingdom.

 

[Joseph_Botwinick]

Not a tv guy. Pastor of a small Baptist Church. He was expounding on the meaning of John 3:8.

Joseph Botwinick

 

[PastorSBC1303]

That is an intriguing question. While I think there is some truth to it in the fact that we should be seeking to walk closely with the Lord to hear Him speak to us. But on the other hand there is an aspect I believe that the Lord when He wants to speak to us will get our attention.

 

[LeBuick]

Not a tv guy. Pastor of a small Baptist Church. He was expounding on the meaning of John 3:8.

Joseph Botwinick

If that's the verse I'm thinking he is saying just as you don't see the wind, you do see it's work in the tree's moving etc...

I believe Jesus previously said that which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the spirit is spirit. Many interpret this to mean the spirit will not speak to the flesh.

 

[Ralph III]

I think the Holy Ghost speaks to all men and women, at some point in everyone's life.

It is then up to us to decide on accepting or rejecting God. I think this can be seen with people who over a long period continue to search for the truth. It would seem the Holy Ghost is talking to their heart during these times. While still allowing them to eventually make the decision.
Others flatly reject Him seem not to question or waver in their own falsehood. Which would lead you to think the Holy Ghost is not speaking to them, at least at that time. Either way they as all will face ultimate judgment one day.

I think certain others' are chosen by God to be great for Him. Such as with John the Baptist. Luke 1:15 "For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink: and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb".

A) I am unsure if God "designated" John to be great. Which would mean John had no choice but to follow the will of the Lord.
-OR-
B) If God knew he was going to be a righteous man and thus consecrated John even from conception. John was after all to go before Christ and make ready for His coming.

Speaking of the Holy Ghost in John from his beginning. Soon after his birth and upon naming him Luke 1:63-65 "And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, "His name is John". So they all marveled. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God". Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout...

Another interesting aspect to this verse. I don't subscribe to the notion that wine or drink is a sin, gluttony or abuse is, however apparently the Lord see's men as being more righteous without such.

Have a great one. Ralph:wavey:

 

[PastorSBC1303]

Ralph, your first line brings up to me an important point in a discussion on the Holy Spirit. Many times it seems as if our understanding of the Holy Spirit speaking begins and ends with conviction of the unbeliever of sin and the need for salvation.

While that is an important role of the Holy Spirit I do not believe that is the only role. The Holy Spirit indwells believers. The Holy Spirit speaks to believers. I think we have become so taken back (and rightly so) of some of the abuses of the Holy Spirit that we fail to fully understand the implications of the Holy Spirit of God Himself indwelling the life of the believer.

 

[TaterTot]

I think SBC brings up a good point. Often, we are so afraid that we will become part of the "abuses" that we just neglect to nurture our relationship with the Holy Spirit. Is as if we think He "has" to work in certain ways.

I have not thought much about it before, but I think SBC is right that we "allow" Him to convict of sin and the need for salvation, then we pretty much wing it from there.

 

[Joseph_Botwinick]

I think SBC brings up a good point. Often, we are so afraid that we will become part of the "abuses" that we just neglect to nurture our relationship with the Holy Spirit. Is as if we think He "has" to work in certain ways.

I have not thought much about it before, but I think SBC is right that we "allow" Him to convict of sin and the need for salvation, then we pretty much wing it from there.

I don't think I would use the word "allow". Perhaps you mis-spoke when referring to the sovereign God of creation? I think the Holy Spirit will do whatever he wishes regardless of our reactions, wills, permissions, etc...

He is God. We are not.

Joseph Botwinick

 

[TaterTot]

Thats why I put it in quotes. I know we dont allow Him to do anything, its the exact opposite. But there are some things that I think people refuse to see. I see it all the time in my own church.

 

[Joseph_Botwinick]

Oh. Sorry. I didn't notice the quotes. I agree with you.

Joseph Botwinick

 

[Ralph III]

Ralph, your first line brings up to me an important point in a discussion on the Holy Spirit. Many times it seems as if our understanding of the Holy Spirit speaking begins and ends with conviction of the unbeliever of sin and the need for salvation.

While that is an important role of the Holy Spirit I do not believe that is the only role. The Holy Spirit indwells believers. The Holy Spirit speaks to believers. I think we have become so taken back (and rightly so) of some of the abuses of the Holy Spirit that we fail to fully understand the implications of the Holy Spirit of God Himself indwelling the life of the believer.

Hello PastorSBC1303,

Let me clarify just a little as I agree with you! I believe the Holy Spirit will speak to everyone at some point in each person's life. With such, we either accept the calling to faith or reject it.

A) Those who reject it may be called again, at another time in their life, or maybe never again. Only God would know these things.

B) Those who are undecided but malleable, I believe the Holy Spirit will continue to call upon them.

C) I do agree Those who do accept the Lord will always have the Holy Ghost in them and speaking to them. Maybe our conscience is actually the Holy Ghost pressing upon us to do good. Either way I do agree the Holy Ghost "indwells" as you said within the believer. He protects us and directs us.

Have a great one. Bless you. :wavey: Ralph

 

[drfuss]

I believe the Holy Spirit speaks to us from time to time. However, we need to be careful that it is the Holy Spirit and not just something we would naturally want.

We had a situation in our family years ago where someone claimed "God showed them" that her son should marry a certain woman. She encouraged it so much that it happened. Others in the family knew about the woman and that the marriage would be bad for her son. But she made such a point about "God showing her" that any questions would have been considered questioning God. That marriage turned out to be so bad that the family now wish we would have taken the risk and sat down and tried to straighten her out. She wishes that too now, but had we been successful in stopping the marriage, I think she would still be blaming us.

The point is if you think God is showing you something, get honest inputs from other christians, particularily if it is something you want to happen.

When God shows us that we should do something, it is usually something we would not want to do in the natural.

 

[PastorSBC1303]

When God shows us that we should do something, it is usually something we would not want to do in the natural.

This is a statement that in no way can be supported by Scripture. Why would God's will always have to be something we do not want to do?

Again, I think many times we react against possible abuses of things that we neglect the Holy Spirit in our lives.

 

[J.D.]

Heard a preacher say this (not my preacher BTW):

The Holy Spirit will only speak to those who are listening. If you don't love God enough to listen to him, then why should he speak to you.

Thoughts? Comment?

Joseph Botwinick

Does not apply in any way whatsover to Joh 3:8. The contrary is true. The work of the Holy Spirit IS the opening of the ears to hear what the Spirit says.

 

[drfuss]

Quote:
Originally Posted by drfuss
When God shows us that we should do something, it is usually something we would not want to do in the natural.

PastorSBC writes:
"This is a statement that in no way can be supported by Scripture. Why would God's will always have to be something we do not want to do?"

I agree, the scriptures don't say God's will always has to be something we don't want. The scriptures have examples of God showing people He wanted them to do things that would improve their lot in life (the kings), and also to do things that would make their life miserable (Jeremiah). Note that I said 'usually' and you implied I said 'always'.

However, I said nothing about God's will. I was talking about if we think God shows us something to do. The point I was making was that if what we think God is showing us to do something that is to our benefit, we should be careful because it may be only us wanting it to happen.

Suggest you reread my illustration in that post to get the context.