Knowing the Presence of God

In Acts 2, there was no doubt that the Holy Spirit had been given. It swept in as a mighty, rushing wind and sat upon each of them as cloven tongues of fire. As a result, they rose up and began to preach the Word in languages that were not their native tongue. The hearers were amazed and astonished. (Acts 2:1-8)  I wish I could say I had a similar experience when I got out of bed this morning and started my day, but I didn’t. So, how do I know I have the same Spirit within me?

First of all, we know it through faith.  Paul told the Corinthians this: “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Cor. 3:16)  Jesus had promised this would happen as recorded by John. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” (John 14:16-17)  Every day will not be a Pentecost experience, but it doesn’t change the fact that the Holy Spirit is indwelling every believer.

Secondly, I know His presence because He speaks to me. His voice is not audible, but nevertheless, He speaks.  And in His speaking, He convicts me of sin (John 16:8-10), He guides me (John 16:13), He teaches me (1 John 2:27), and He gives me power to live more like Jesus (Acts 1:8; 1 Cor 6:11). However, I will not hear, and thus be aware, of His voice if I am not listening.  

Have you ever heard a sound you could not identify the source of?  What did you do?  If you are like me, you would stop your activity, turn down the radio, and ask those around you to be quiet and still so you could listen intently. This is also how you hear the Spirit. You must push aside the distractions and focus on listening. Listening is also greatly improved when we are reading God’s Word and praying!

In these times, when I hear the Spirit speak, it brings joy because it gives me clarity and empowers me to take action. I also sense God’s love, His forgiveness, and His care of me!  It may not be equivalent to having been at Pentecost, but it is the fuel that keeps my Innerfire burning!

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