The Quiet Leading: Listening to the Holy Spirit’s Voice
Psalm 1 begins by describing two very different ways of living. One person is like a tree planted by streams of water, thriving because they choose to live in a way that honors God—by meditating on His Word and staying away from harmful influences. This person doesn’t follow the advice of the wicked or join in with those who mock God. They take delight in God’s law, and their life bears good fruit. The tree is deeply rooted, unshaken, and continually nourished. It’s a picture of stability, peace, and growth.
On the other hand, there’s the person who chooses to follow the path of the wicked. Their life is unstable, like chaff blown away by the wind. They may seem to be getting by for a time, but ultimately their way leads to utter destruction. It’s a warning that we can’t live life based on our own wisdom or by just following the crowd. Our choices matter. The things we meditate on—what we spend our time thinking about, focusing on, and absorbing—shape our future.
This aligns perfectly with Mark 9, where Jesus teaches His disciples about the cost of following Him and the importance of being radically committed to living out God's truth. In Mark 9:43-47, Jesus says something very shocking: “If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out.” It’s not a literal command, but it highlights how seriously we should take our choices. If there’s anything in our life that’s leading us away from God, anything that’s pulling us into sin or causing us to stumble, we need to take radical action to remove it. This might mean letting go of relationships, habits, or mindsets that pull us away from the truth of God’s Word.
Jesus isn’t saying that the physical act of cutting something off will save us. He’s saying that it’s the state of our hearts that matters. If we’re willing to do whatever it takes to stay close to God, to protect ourselves from anything that leads us into sin, we will find life in Him. And in all of this, the Holy Spirit will be there, gently guiding us, reminding us of the truth, and helping us discern the right choices. The Spirit works quietly but powerfully, helping us recognize what we need to remove and what we need to hold onto.
Just as Psalm 1 speaks of the blessings that come from choosing God’s way, Mark 9 challenges us to take a hard look at our lives and do what’s necessary to avoid the dangers that come from walking away from God. It’s not always an easy thing to let go of habits or relationships that are damaging, but the Holy Spirit will give us the strength and the clarity to do so. The Spirit teaches us, not just with words but through conviction in our hearts, helping us make those tough decisions.
There’s another place in the Bible where we see this same challenge. Proverbs 4:23 reminds us, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” The heart is the center of who we are—it determines our thoughts, actions, and ultimately our destiny. If we’re careless with our hearts, if we let them wander or become distracted by things that take us away from God, we can end up in places we never wanted, nor meant to be. Just like Psalm 1 and Mark 9, Proverbs warns us to protect what’s most important. And again, the Holy Spirit helps us guard our hearts, gently convicting us when we begin to stray, drawing us back to God’s truth.
When we look at these scriptures, the message is clear: the way we live, the choices we make, and the things we focus on deeply affect the direction of our lives. If we want to experience the fullness of God’s blessings, we must choose to walk in His ways, to cut off anything that leads us away from Him, and to guard our hearts. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it. And as we listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit, He will help us navigate these decisions. Following God’s path isn’t about being perfect, but about being committed to His truth and choosing His way over and over again. The reward is a life that is deeply rooted, filled with His peace and love, and able to bear fruit that lasts.
The Holy Spirit is an incredible gift to those who follow Jesus. In the Bible, we’re told that the Spirit is not only our Comforter but also our Teacher, our Guide. But, there’s one thing that often trips people up: How do we hear that voice? How do we know what the Spirit is saying to us?
In John 14:26, we see Jesus promise His disciples that the Holy Spirit would come to teach them all things and remind them of everything He had said. The Spirit’s role is clear—He is here to lead us into truth. But, how does that work in our lives? The Holy Spirit doesn’t speak to us in the same way that someone might speak with words we can hear audibly. His voice often comes through a deep conviction in our hearts, a quiet nudge that directs us in the right way. He might remind us of Scripture or prompt us to act in a certain way, but He’s not always loud or obvious. That’s why it’s so important for us to learn to listen carefully.
The first step to hearing the Holy Spirit is to have a heart that’s tuned to Him. Just like when you listen to a radio station, you have to be on the right frequency to hear the music. In the same way, we need to be in tune with the Spirit by spending time with God in prayer and in His Word. When we stay close to Him, our hearts become more sensitive to His promptings. This doesn’t mean we always hear a booming voice, but we begin to sense the right way to go, even when things seem uncertain.
One of the key ways the Spirit guides us is through God’s Word. The Holy Spirit inspired the writers of the Scriptures, and He knows exactly how to bring those words to life in our hearts when we need them most. As we read the Bible, the Spirit can illuminate the meaning, help us apply it to our lives, and give us direction. But, if we’re not familiar with Scripture, it’s harder to recognize His guidance. We need to be in the Word regularly, not just as a ritual but with the intent to listen—to allow God to speak through it.
Another way the Spirit leads us is through the inner witness in our hearts. In Romans 8:16, Paul writes that "the Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." This is where that deep sense of peace or conviction comes from—the Spirit within us confirms what’s true and right. It’s not always a loud, forceful direction; sometimes it’s a quiet, deep certainty that we know what God is asking of us. The more we listen to that still, small voice, the clearer it becomes over time.
However, listening to the Holy Spirit also requires us to be willing to obey. The Spirit doesn’t force His way into our lives. He’ll guide us, but we have to make the choice to follow. In Acts 16, we see the Apostle Paul being led by the Spirit into different places to preach the gospel, and sometimes the Spirit even stopped him from going where he intended. If we want to be led by the Spirit, we need to be open and flexible, willing to go where He leads—even when we don’t fully understand why. It requires trust, even when the path seems uncertain.
God’s Holy Spirit also brings peace when we’re walking in the right direction. Colossians 3:15 says, “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts.” Peace is often a sign that we’re on the right path. When we feel uneasy or unsettled, it’s a red flag that we might need to pause, pray, and ask God for clarity. Peace isn’t always a sign of easy circumstances, but it is a sign of right alignment with God’s will.
Now, we must also be aware of the fact that there are other voices in this world—the voice of our own desires, the voice of the enemy, and even the influence of others—that can try to drown out or confuse the Spirit’s guidance. That’s why we need to be diligent in learning how to distinguish His voice. One of the ways we do this is by understanding His character. The Holy Spirit will never lead us in a way that contradicts the truth of Scripture. He won’t guide us to do something that goes against God’s nature or His commands. When we know God’s Word and we are close to Him, we become better at recognizing when the voice we’re hearing is truly His.
Most of all, we need to be patient. Sometimes we might want immediate answers or clear directions right away, but learning to hear the Spirit’s voice takes time. It’s a relationship, and just like any relationship, it requires practice, attention, and care. The more we seek Him, the more sensitive we become to His guidance.
The Holy Spirit guides and teaches us by prompting our hearts, illuminating the Scriptures, and giving us God’s inner peace. But we must be intentional in listening. We need to be in God’s Word, sensitive to His voice, and willing to obey. It’s a process of learning to trust Him more, of following the quiet whispers, and of walking faithfully in the direction He shows us. It is an incredible gift to those who follow Jesus. In the Bible, we’re told that the Spirit is not only our Comforter but also our Teacher, our Guide. But, there’s one thing that often trips people up: How do we hear that voice? How do we know what the Spirit is saying to us?
In John 14:26, we see Jesus promise His disciples that the Holy Spirit would come to teach them all things and remind them of everything He had said. The Spirit’s role is clear—He is here to lead us into truth. But, how does that work in our lives? The Holy Spirit doesn’t speak to us in the same way that someone might speak with words we can hear audibly. His voice often comes through a deep conviction in our hearts, a quiet nudge that directs us in the right way. He might remind us of Scripture or prompt us to act in a certain way, but He’s not always loud or obvious. That’s why it’s so important for us to learn to listen carefully.
The first step to hearing the Holy Spirit is to have a heart that’s tuned to Him. Just like when you listen to a radio station, you have to be on the right frequency to hear the music. In the same way, we need to be in tune with the Spirit by spending time with God in prayer and in His Word. When we stay close to Him, our hearts become more sensitive to His promptings. This doesn’t mean we always hear a booming voice, but we begin to sense the right way to go, even when things seem uncertain.
One of the key ways the Spirit guides us is through God’s Word. The Holy Spirit inspired the writers of the Scriptures, and He knows exactly how to bring those words to life in our hearts when we need them most. As we read the Bible, the Spirit can illuminate the meaning, help us apply it to our lives, and give us direction. But, if we’re not familiar with Scripture, it’s harder to recognize His guidance. We need to be in the Word regularly, not just as a ritual but with the intent to listen—to allow God to speak through it.
Another way the Spirit leads us is through the inner witness in our hearts. In Romans 8:16, Paul writes that "the Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." This is where that deep sense of peace or conviction comes from—the Spirit within us confirms what’s true and right. It’s not always a loud, forceful direction; sometimes it’s a quiet, deep certainty that we know what God is asking of us. The more we listen to that still, small voice, the clearer it becomes over time.
However, listening to the Holy Spirit also requires us to be willing to obey. The Spirit doesn’t force His way into our lives. He’ll guide us, but we have to make the choice to follow. In Acts 16, we see the Apostle Paul being led by the Spirit into different places to preach the gospel, and sometimes the Spirit even stopped him from going where he intended. If we want to be led by the Spirit, we need to be open and flexible, willing to go where He leads—even when we don’t fully understand why. It requires trust, even when the path seems uncertain.
The Holy Spirit also brings peace when we’re walking in the right direction. Colossians 3:15 says, “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts.” Peace is often a sign that we’re on the right path. When we feel uneasy or unsettled, it’s a red flag that we might need to pause, pray, and ask God for clarity. Peace isn’t always a sign of easy circumstances, but it is a sign of right alignment with God’s will.
Now, we must also be aware of the fact that there are other voices in this world—the voice of our own desires, the voice of the enemy, and even the influence of others—that can try to drown out or confuse the Spirit’s guidance. That’s why we need to be diligent in learning how to distinguish His voice. One of the ways we do this is by understanding His character. The Holy Spirit will never lead us in a way that contradicts the truth of Scripture. He won’t guide us to do something that goes against God’s nature or His commands. When we know God’s Word and we are close to Him, we become better at recognizing when the voice we’re hearing is truly His.
Finally, we need to be patient. Sometimes we might want immediate answers or clear directions right away, but learning to hear the Spirit’s voice takes time. It’s a relationship, and just like any relationship, it requires practice, attention, and care. The more we seek Him, the more sensitive we become to His guidance.
In summary, the Holy Spirit guides and teaches us by prompting our hearts, illuminating the Scriptures, and giving us inner peace. But we must be intentional in listening. We need to be in God’s Word, sensitive to His voice, and willing to obey. It’s a process of learning to trust Him more, following the quiet whispers, and walking faithfully in the direction He shows us. The Holy Spirit isn’t distant—He’s with us, ready to guide us every step of the way, if we’re willing to listen and follow.
Another way the Spirit leads us is through the inner witness in our hearts. In Romans 8:16, Paul writes that "the Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." This is where that deep sense of peace or conviction comes from—the Spirit within us confirms what’s true and right. It’s not always a loud, forceful direction; sometimes it’s a quiet, deep certainty that we know what God is asking of us. The more we listen to that still, small voice, the clearer it becomes over time.
However, listening to the Holy Spirit also requires us to be willing to obey. The Spirit doesn’t force His way into our lives. He’ll guide us, but we have to make the choice to follow. In Acts 16, we see the Apostle Paul being led by the Spirit into different places to preach the gospel, and sometimes the Spirit even stopped him from going where he intended. If we want to be led by the Spirit, we need to be open and flexible, willing to go where He leads—even when we don’t fully understand why. It requires trust, even when the path seems uncertain.
The Holy Spirit also brings peace when we’re walking in the right direction. Colossians 3:15 says, “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts.” Peace is often a sign that we’re on the right path. When we feel uneasy or unsettled, it’s a red flag that we might need to pause, pray, and ask God for clarity. Peace isn’t always a sign of easy circumstances, but it is a sign of right alignment with God’s will.
Now, we must also be aware of the fact that there are other voices in this world—the voice of our own desires, the voice of the enemy, and even the influence of others—that can try to drown out or confuse the Spirit’s guidance. That’s why we need to be diligent in learning how to distinguish His voice. One of the ways we do this is by understanding His character. The Holy Spirit will never lead us in a way that contradicts the truth of Scripture. He won’t guide us to do something that goes against God’s nature or His commands. When we know God’s Word and we are close to Him, we become better at recognizing when the voice we’re hearing is truly His.
We need to be patient. Sometimes we might want immediate answers
or clear directions right away, but learning to hear the Spirit’s
voice takes time. It’s a relationship, and just like any
relationship, it requires practice, attention, and care. The more we
seek Him, the more sensitive we become to His guidance.
God’s Holy Spirit guides and teaches us by prompting our hearts, - giving us a little nudge - illuminating the Scriptures, and giving us inner peace. But we must be intentional in listening. We need to be in God’s Word, sensitive to His voice, and willing to obey. It’s a process of learning to trust Him more, following the quiet whispers, and walking faithfully in the direction He shows us. The Holy Spirit isn’t distant—He’s with us, ready to guide us every step of the way, if we’re willing to listen and follow.
I hope this message blessed you. If so, please leave a comment. I look forward to hearing from you.
Anna M. C. Hazen 2025
The image is AI generated on chatgpt.
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