How do we discern the voice of the Holy Spirit?

[Vanellus]

Christians often talk about the leading of the Holy Spirit and we read about the promise of the Holy Spirit - that it will guide into all the truth

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

But I don't think this means the Holy Spirit replaces our personality and thoughts - like in some SF stories. We still have our own thoughts. So how do we discern the leading of the Holy Spirit - not contradicting Scripture only goes so far.

e,g, someone might say the Spirit led them to apply for courses in accountancy rather than the legal profession. How would you discern this as the leading of the Holy Spirit? You may be equally qualified for both and other Christians could recommend both. And is that the Spirit's leading - asking other people? What about your own inner witness - is that your thoughts or God's thoughts?

 

[friend of]

John 14:26 niv But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Sometimes it's as simple as being reminded of a verse of scripture at an appropriate time

 

[Vanellus]

John 14:26 niv But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Sometimes it's as simple as being reminded of a verse of scripture at an appropriate time

That's a promise about the Holy Spirit teaching us but it doesn't really say anything about discernment, unless you think that every thought a Christian has comes from the Holy Spirit?

 

[friend of]

That's a promise about the Holy Spirit teaching us but it doesn't really say anything about discernment, unless you think that every thought a Christian has comes from the Holy Spirit?

Not every thought, no, but the Holy Spirit can teach us discernment yes? If an impression in your mind is in line with holy scripture, it could be said that the Holy Spirit has guided you to think in such a way.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

Christians often talk about the leading of the Holy Spirit and we read about the promise of the Holy Spirit - that it will guide into all the truth

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

But I don't think this means the Holy Spirit replaces our personality and thoughts - like in some SF stories. We still have our own thoughts. So how do we discern the leading of the Holy Spirit - not contradicting Scripture only goes so far.

e,g, someone might say the Spirit led them to apply for courses in accountancy rather than the legal profession. How would you discern this as the leading of the Holy Spirit? You may be equally qualified for both and other Christians could recommend both. And is that the Spirit's leading - asking other people? What about your own inner witness - is that your thoughts or God's thoughts?

There is a degree of speculation when thinking His Holy Spirit guilds us in personal matters such as job decisions, mates for marriage and financial planning. I believe His Holy Spirit leads us in all truth of the Gospel. He also convicts us of sin by weighing those sins on our conscience. This in of itself, is discernment.
Blessings

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

Great question.

Discernment is itself a gift. But we can practice by actually listening to our own conscience when it speaks clearly. Haven't we all ignored a pretty clear inner direction at times simply because we did not want to?

I was reading St Bonaventure's Itinerarium Mentis in Deum and he speaks about :

Sensus - our awareness of the world around us
Ratio - our ability to figure things out
Intellectus - our ability to understand the meaning and essence of things
Intelligentia - deeper wisdom and insight from our understanding
Synderisis - the closest thing we have to God that gives us a sense of conscience.

"6. These powers are implanted in us by nature. They are deformed through sin and reformed through grace. They must be cleansed through [the exercise of] justice, developed by learning, and perfected by wisdom."

How to Form Our Consciences​

Wherever we are on our journey with Christ, we can grow deeper with him by continuing the work of forming our consciences well, so that we may follow him ever more closely. Although not a complete list, these suggestions can help us as we seek to inform and strengthen our consciences with God's truth.

1. Pray
   Through prayer and participation in the sacraments, especially Confession and the Eucharist, we encounter the living God. Spending time with the Lord, such as in silent adoration, opens our hearts to him. In drawing closer to the Lord, we allow God's grace to conform our minds and hearts to Christ, so that we might better discern in every moment how we ought to act.
2. Learn
   Without a foundational, practical formation, it is difficult for our consciences to guide us well in concrete situations. As Catholics, we have the immense gift of the teaching authority of the Catholic Church and can turn to it for help forming our consciences. For example, learning about Christian moral principles, reading the Catechism of the Catholic Church, or researching what the Church says about a challenging teaching will help us grow in knowledge of the truth. In turn, this helps us understand a little more how to live in a way that leads to our true happiness.
3. Reflect
   We are formed by the stories we hear and tell. We may be uncertain how we ought to respond to various challenges as followers of Jesus, but there are many saints who have faced similar questions throughout the ages. Immersing ourselves in the stories of holy women and men can encourage us and help us develop habits of mind that allow us to grow. Stories help us hone our instincts.
4. Nurture friendships
   A life of following Jesus is exceedingly difficult without help from a community. When we devote energy to holy friendships with people who are also trying to know, love, and serve the Lord, we gain partners who can lighten the load. Conversation with other Christians about how to respond to challenges in the life of discipleship are vital.

​

Understanding Conscience

Understanding Conscience Sister Agnes Walsh, a Daughter of Charity, is remembered for her heroism in France during World War II. In 1943, when France was occ...

www.usccb.org

https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/parishes-and-schools/upload/Conscience-Formation-bulletin-insert.pdf

 

[timothyu]

So how do we discern the leading of the Holy Spirit - not contradicting Scripture only goes so far.

The Bible from front to back is about following the Will of God, not of man. Anyone claiming to be led by the HS will be known by their works which diametrically oppose the self serving will of man. As Jesus said, servitude to the Father and to all in need. No 'self' involved.
"Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven"
"Thy will, not mine"

 

[Vanellus]

Not every thought, no, but the Holy Spirit can teach us discernment yes? If an impression in your mind is in line with holy scripture, it could be said that the Holy Spirit has guided you to think in such a way.

But how does "in line with the Bible" help with, say, accountancy vs legal profession as a career choice?

 

[Yarddog]

Christians often talk about the leading of the Holy Spirit and we read about the promise of the Holy Spirit - that it will guide into all the truth

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

But I don't think this means the Holy Spirit replaces our personality and thoughts - like in some SF stories. We still have our own thoughts. So how do we discern the leading of the Holy Spirit - not contradicting Scripture only goes so far.

e,g, someone might say the Spirit led them to apply for courses in accountancy rather than the legal profession. How would you discern this as the leading of the Holy Spirit? You may be equally qualified for both and other Christians could recommend both. And is that the Spirit's leading - asking other people? What about your own inner witness - is that your thoughts or God's thoughts?

I've had many instances of communication with the Holy Spirit. Sometimes it was an audible voice, sometimes revelation, sometimes it was a vision, but the hardest ones to know are those quiet tugs. I question myself if those are the Holy Spirit or my own subconscious working on me.

Those quiet tugs are better understood over time, as a series of events which lead you to the conclusion.

 

[Vanellus]

I came across this in a paper about Soren Kierkegaard ("K")
https://www.pmoser.sites.luc.edu/Moser%20SK's%20Conception%20of%20God%20final.pdf

2. God as Personal
K’s God, unlike the God of Plato and Aristotle, is inherently personal and hence purpo-
sive. Here, we use the slippery term ‘personal’ broadly, in such a way that whatever is
personal has intentions or purposes and whatever has intentions or purposes is personal.
K’s conception of God is very different from Aristotle’s conception of an Unmoved
Mover, and is anchored in Christian theological concepts (see Law 1995). Accordingly,
Gouwens (1996) places K ‘at the center of the Christian tradition rather than at its fringe’
(22). K affirms that ‘God is love’ and that God is the ‘source of all love’ (1847b, 190, 3).
He refers to God as ‘my lover’, and predicts that his lover will someday come and, seeing
through all misleading appearances, perceive the truth behind K’s authorship (1859, 69–
70). He remarks on the role God played in the production of his writings, and empha-
sizes that he has needed God’s help and assistance to write each day. At times he was
conscious of writing as an act of obedience toward God, but at other times, according to
K, God directed things behind the scenes, when K was not yet conscious of the full
meaning of his written words. Regarding the direction and final shape of his authorship,
K writes that ‘Governance [=God] had curbed me in every respect’ (1859, 86). K makes
it clear, however, that this was not manipulative; instead, he saw it as a sign of divine
‘compassionate love’ that God chose to use him in this way (1859, 87).
K reports that he has been assured that God has been pleased with his work as an
author. He says that ‘I know with God’ that his work ‘finds favor’ with God, and that ‘It
is truly pleasing to God that the truth is served in this way’ (1859, 24, 60). Regarding
how this was made known, K writes that God’s ‘spirit witnessed powerfully with my
spirit that it had his complete and highest approval’ (1859, 60). Accordingly, K conceived
of God as someone whom human beings can know and interact with, spirit to Spirit. K
portrays God as a personal being who can (and does) intentionally and lovingly guide
human beings.

I take that as meaning the sense of God's guidance comes from practice. One gets to know a lover by spending time with her/him.
But I think K would also say that this is a matter of faith. One has to trust that sense of leading comes from God (on matters not covered directly in the Bible as my example.). We live by faith i.e. trust.

 

[timothyu]

We live by faith i.e. trust.

Indeed. That faith in our 'self' motivation is backwards to the will of God.

 

[Richard T]

My favorite book on this topic was Bill Basansky's How to Know the Father's Voice. Meditate on the scriptures that tell you that you can hear from God concerning a matter. Expecting God to do this is important. Then just keep praying, even fasting to wait on His response. For me, I often fail alone, but when the presence of God hits me during worship at times he might speak to me with something very specific to me on the inside.
Yes, it can be exact. In a choice like accounting or law, it also could be left up to you to decide. I have to assume though that you would be able to hear if God was telling you some ministry or any other alternative. You also have to think about the place. Geography is highly important. Why? Because it may not just be the occupation but who you are to meet that is even more important. A future spouse, a great business partner, a Christian friend or minister that has a huge impact? So I hope you give God all latitude if you have not already to arrange your life as you expect to hear from Him directly and specifically. Guidance too does not just come to prophets or those with gifts. The Holy Spirit as helper, comforter and guide is for every believer. Now I do not subscribe that God wants to tell us what to wear each day as a few might suggest but He is honored if you turn to Him on every big decision and I really pray
you learn how to receive from the voice of the Holy Spirit. To me it does not come from the mind, it comes from your born again human spirit inside of you and the Holy Spirit interacting.
Prov 20:27 "The SPIRIT of man is the CANDLE of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly."

 

[timothyu]

Jesus sent the HS to lead us to, or to keep us on the path to the Kingdom. Nothing else. it is a guiding wind, not made for man's purposes of self-justification, but a means to keep us from falling back into 'self'. God's entire message from beginning to end was His will first, not our self determination except under leadership. Jesus reiterated that when saying the Father's will, not His, and in the Lord's Prayer, Thy (the Father's) will be done in earth (not ours). His leadership in all, with us as servants. Does that bruise some egos?

 

[Vanellus]

Just to be clear the accountancy vs legal profession is a theoretical example. I'm retired now from neither profession.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

Sensus - our awareness of the world around us
Ratio - our ability to figure things out
Intellectus - our ability to understand the meaning and essence of things
Intelligentia - deeper wisdom and insight from our understanding
Synderisis - the closest thing we have to God that gives us a sense of conscience.

• Ratio is about logical reasoning and acquiring knowledge through effort.
• Intellectus is about intuitive understanding and effortless apprehension of truth.
• Intelligentia represents a higher, potentially divinely illuminated, level of intellectual activity.
• Synderesis is the innate habit of the practical intellect that guides us towards moral good.

 

[timothyu]

Sounds Greek to me

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

Sounds Greek to me

Plato's Tripartite Soul:

• Reason (Logistikon):
  Located in the head, this part is associated with intellect, logic, and rational thought. It's the part of the soul that seeks knowledge and truth.
• Spirit (Thymoeides):
  Found in the chest, this encompasses emotions like anger, courage, and ambition. It's the part that drives action and defends what is right.
• Appetite (Epithymetikon):
  Situated in the abdomen, this is the seat of desires, appetites, and bodily needs. It's the part that seeks pleasure and satisfaction.
  

Aristotle's View of the Soul:

• Vegetative Soul (Threptikon):
  This is the most basic level, concerned with nutrition, growth, and reproduction. It's found in all living things, including plants.
• Sensitive Soul (Aisthetikon):
  This level adds perception and movement to the vegetative functions. It's found in animals and allows them to sense and interact with their environment.
• Rational Soul (Dianoetikón):
  This highest level, found in humans, includes intellect, reason, and the capacity for thought. It allows for understanding, learning, and contemplation.

 

[Bro.T]

Christians often talk about the leading of the Holy Spirit and we read about the promise of the Holy Spirit - that it will guide into all the truth

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

But I don't think this means the Holy Spirit replaces our personality and thoughts - like in some SF stories. We still have our own thoughts. So how do we discern the leading of the Holy Spirit - not contradicting Scripture only goes so far.

e,g, someone might say the Spirit led them to apply for courses in accountancy rather than the legal profession. How would you discern this as the leading of the Holy Spirit? You may be equally qualified for both and other Christians could recommend both. And is that the Spirit's leading - asking other people? What about your own inner witness - is that your thoughts or God's thoughts?

In the scriptures it's written in Joshua 1: 7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

If we truly love God, then we will obey "Every word" that proceeds out of his mouth (Matthew 4:4). Baptism is one of those words. In order to be baptized, certain events must take place: You must repent, give up a lifestyle where sin has dominion, (ruler ship) over you. Sin according to 1 John 3:4, Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression (breaking) of the law. You must be taught "The Word", before you can adhere to God's commandments (judgments\statues). These laws are found in the Holy Bible; beginning with Genesis and ending with Revelation. You must believe what the bible says and finally, you must confess that Jesus is Lord. Once this has been accomplished, you are qualified to be baptized in the name of Jesus.

"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, "repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38). “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” Romans 6:3-4,

Throughout the bible we find that in order to receive eternal salvation we must keep God's commandments to the end. If we make a mistake we must not give up, but I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14). The last chapter in the whole bible reminds us of this one last time. "Blessed are they that do his commandments that they may have right to the tree of life." (Revelation 22:14). After this we find only seven more verses in the bible, and none of them does away with God's commandments.

The commandments of God are not hard to keep (I John 5:3) and furthermore, they teach us love in the highest degree. If you love Jesus you will keep his commandments (St. John 14:15). You will not displease the Lord by: Worshipping other gods, having graven images, taking his name in vain, breaking his Sabbath day (which is Saturday not Sunday), or dishonoring your parents. On the other hand, if you love your neighbor as yourself you will not kill him, commit adultery with his spouse, steal from him, falsely accuse him, or covet anything of his. Stop committing fornication.

This is true love, and if obeyed how much better would our world be? This is why Jesus said that the two greatest commandments are loving the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind; and loving your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:35-40). These two commandments are the foundation of the entire law. Many reject the law, but it is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good (Romans 7:12) even today.

This is a very big part of receiving the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit works with you according to the way you obey the lord (Jesus). Look what Jesus says in John 14: 15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. 25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26 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.

 

[com7fy8]

Christians often talk about the leading of the Holy Spirit and we read about the promise of the Holy Spirit - that it will guide into all the truth

We grow in our ability to be led by the Holy Spirit. Then we discover how He leads us.

I'll offer as my opinion, that God develops us to more and more be submissive to Him in every way, including feelings and thoughts and very importantly . . . where God is guiding our attention.

"for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13)

So, if God is working in our wills . . . working our willing . . . this is very personal. And this can become at every moment, as much as we have grown in Jesus who is perfectly submissive to our Father.

As we grow in Jesus, we share with Him in His ability to be guided by our Father. And in His love we share with Him in His creativity for how to love and relate with every person. Because God is all-loving > so He is guiding us here to so share with Him.

 

[com7fy8]

We still have our own thoughts.

But Jesus does say,

"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." (in Luke 9:23)

He says for someone to "deny" one's self. So, we need to be prayerfully careful about hoping and trying to hold on to self's thinking and feelings and desires. And we could have quite a discussion about if my "self" that needs to be denied includes my "free will". I say, yes. I am being conformed to the image of Jesus, and human will is not part of how Jesus is.

So how do we discern the leading of the Holy Spirit - not contradicting Scripture only goes so far.

As we grow in Jesus, we grow in His ability to know the leading of the Holy Spirit.

"But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." (Hebrews 4:15)

Yes, we have God's word, and God does communicate with us through His word. Any part of God's word can be used by God to feed us how to love. And we have "senses" in God's love; with God Himself in us He has us sensing all He has for us, in us and in our actions.

"And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment." (Philippians 1:9)

I believe this includes how God's love has us knowing . . . how love has us perceiving, and seeing things. And in His love is love's discerning of how to share and relate with God and how to love any person and how to use any situation for His all-loving good. This is about all-loving love, after all