Holy Spirit or Your Conscience? (VOG-Week 2.2)
We’re glad you are here with us as we are studying the Holy Spirit ‘s voice, versus our own voice. As you are studying, take time to meditate on those things that sort of jump out at you. Most likely that will be coming from the Holy Spirit, and hopefully by the end of this week, you will be more clear in this area. We’re on the second week of Bible study, Discerning the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer.
As I look back upon my life I can say that I was raised as a moral person. I was taught not to steal, lie, or hurt others. As a child, if I did any of them I would feel really bad because they were impressed upon me and my brothers and sisters so heavily by our Mom and Dad. These became part of my environmental conscience, as mentioned in the workbook. I always tried to adhere to my beliefs about these three things, but in much of everything else, I went by my own inclinations: most times pretty good, but sometimes they did cause me to make bad decisions. And then I totally surrendered my life to Jesus. At that time I began living 2 Cor 5:17 which says:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
It was at this point, when the Holy Spirit indwelled me, that I began to see things and think about things in a much different way. This is what Priscilla calls the exchange. The morning after this experience, which I can still remember even though it was about 20 years ago, all things did seem new to me. As I drove to work that morning the sky was bluer, the sun was brighter, and the clouds were magnificent. I know that everyone may not have the same experience but as far as my life was at that point I believe I had been down for so long that God knew I needed this type of refreshing. The exchange!!
(note from Christine: this experience is often the experience of a “life verse”)
Of course in the days that followed, I had to begin to learn those things on the bottom of page 33 that Priscilla calls the 5 M’s. I’m still working on them and will be for the rest of my life… because I want to keep maturing so I can hear the Holy Spirit clearer and quicker.
One item I’d like to mention is M#4 about seeking out the counsel of a more mature believer, an “Eli” for your walk of faith. In my case I was mentored by my Sunday School teacher who was a 70 year old gracious lady who had been studying the word of God for many many years. It was because of her influence in my life that I was able to begin my spiritual journey. If you are not in church at the moment and perhaps praying about where to go ask the Holy Spirit to confirm to you where you should be and ask Him to send you a more mature Christian acquaintance whom you can respect as an example. If you will look at the lives of the disciples who had Jesus and Timothy who had Paul it is definitely a Biblical plus.
Prayer Request
Abba, Father God, we thank you and praise you for the things you have done in our lives. We are so grateful for the exchange you make when we become new creatures in Christ and we begin to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. Lord, if it has never been explained to us in this manner before make it clear to us regarding the Holy Spirit’s indwelling. Send us wise counsel Lord if you see fit. In Jesus Name, Amen
Quotes by Priscilla Shirer
- Now that your spirit is under the control of the Holy Spirit.
- Your Spirit-led conscience starts to discern between sin and righteousness and instructs you accordingly.
- Don’t spend time worrying; spend time handing the issue over to God.
Today’s Scripture Verses
He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5
And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment. John 16:8
Let’s Talk About
Do you recall anything specifically that you no longer desired in your life after your salvation? What is it? Let’s talk about our experiences.
Discerning His voice,
Charmaine
After salvation and my focus on God became more personal I was a freshman in college, transitioning from a dependent life with my parents to an independent lifestyle on my own. My desire for secular music changed. To focus on God more and have a clearer conscience I begin to leave my radio station on Christian radio ALL the TIME. It was refreshing, I don’t even remember it being hard to adjust to, but for me that was the first time that I experienced the exchange in my life. So relevant! Thank you for this!
I experienced the same thing with my music tastes also Nicole. Nothing but Christian music and even to today I really have no desire to listen to the music I listened to before that. I’m not saying there is anything wrong with it but I think God wanted me to move forward. It seems that we tend to have a lot of memories attached to music from our past and they may not always be good. Also I was never fond of bad language even before I was saved but I “tolerated” it. After my new birth it seemed like bad language to my ears was like being pierced like a knife. I could no longer watch movies that had it which now today seems to even be in PG movies as far as I’m concerned. The Word says “all things new”. Isn’t it great to see that in action?
Glad you’re enjoying the class.
Oh wow! For some reason, I am having a very difficult time answering the questions for today’s lesson. I really don’t know why. May be I haven’t blocked out the rest of the world enough?
I was saved at such a young age, but I remember having the desire to obey my parents more not just because I was afraid of getting “in trouble” but because I wanted to honor God. Since then I have this same desire. Society creates so many rules, and our conscience creates rules for us too, but the spirit gives us convictions that we can trust… that aren’t based on rules but righteousness.
So glad you said that Sophie. I thought just this evening that there are probably some taking the class that were saved as children and your comment confirms what I’ve always told people That the same Holy Spirit indwells us whether we are 5 or 50. Thanks for commenting.
I was saved when I was 17 and pregnant with my first child…I remember thinking about how I wanted to raise my child different than I was raised…I wanted him to know Jesus. My music tastes changed, and with that so did my desire to be around non-christian influences. I was definitely in need of some mature Christian mentoring…for many years I floundered, but I knew God was with me…I did finally get IT on my own but it would have been easier with some discipleship
You are so right about the discipleship Becky. I was actually saved when I was 10 years old..I had always had a drawing to Jesus back to a very young age and watched my Grandmother teach Sunday School, read her Bible, and get on her knees at bedtime and pray. My parents would not allow us to go to church except Christmas and Easter with our Grandmother. We moved away from my Grandmother when I got a little older and I begged my Mother to go to a Good News Club meeting in my friend’s back yard one time. Yes, I begged. That is when I actually was saved at 10 but I like you I had no discipleship and drifted for years til way up in my adulthood when I had what I truly call my born again experience. I like you floundered for many years but it’s strange but I knew something was different than me than my brothers and sisters after that 10 year old experience. Discipleship is so so important for children and adults. Thanks for your comment.
Oh, my goodness. I was very heavy in the ways of the world living on the edge. Party, drinking, going to bars and dancce clubs. The afternoon I got saved was WOW for my family. They thought I wouldnt last. I didnt care that they dint believe me, as long as My Heavenly Father and my Jesus was there with me and believed in me I was going to be just fine.
Being a “nerd” I had to rate myself on the 5 “M’s”. OK, maybe I spent took too many psychology classes on college-LOL. In any case, I ranked myself from 1-5 on the method of really knowing if I am hearing the voice of God. Page 33 in the workbook.