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Listening to the Holy Spirit in Times of Turmoil

Listening to the Holy Spirit, particularly during times of turmoil, is a recurring theme in Christian scripture and theological reflection. The biblical injunction "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies" appears multiple times in the book of Revelation, emphasizing the importance of heeding the Spirit's message [2, 3, 4, 5]. This call to listen is not merely passive reception but an active engagement with divine communication, especially when facing distress or uncertainty.

The concept of listening to the Holy Spirit is often intertwined with prayer and seeking divine guidance. The Old Testament provides examples of individuals crying out to God in times of trouble, seeking His voice and direction. For instance, the psalmist pleads, "Hear the voice of my petitions, when I cry to you, when I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place" [6]. Similarly, Habakkuk describes a profound physical and emotional reaction to hearing God's voice, stating, "I heard, and my body trembled. My lips quivered at the voice. Rottenness enters into my bones, and I tremble in my place, because I must wait quietly for the day of trouble" [7]. This passage, interpreted by Matthew Henry, highlights the intense awe and fear that can accompany divine revelation, especially when it concerns impending difficulties [15].

In the New Testament, the role of the Holy Spirit as an advocate and guide is clearly articulated. Jesus promises to send "the Advocate—the Spirit of truth," who counsels and protects His followers [10]. This protective and guiding role becomes especially significant during periods of turmoil, as the Spirit provides comfort and direction. The Apostle Paul encourages believers to pray "to the Holy Spirit" [1], and to seek divine teaching and direction, particularly when afflicted [8]. This suggests an active, communicative relationship where believers can expect to receive guidance from the Spirit.

The act of listening to the Holy Spirit is not always about hearing an audible voice but often involves discerning the Spirit's "fruit" in one's life and in the community. The "fruit of the Spirit" is described in Galatians as "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" [11]. John Gill, in his commentary on Ephesians, connects good works to the "fruit of the Spirit," or "the fruit of light," suggesting that the Spirit's influence manifests in actions characterized by goodness, righteousness, and truth [12, 14]. Calvin further elaborates on this, stating that believers are like "wild and useless olive trees till we are grafted into Christ, who, by His living root, makes us fruit-bearing branches" through the Spirit [13]. Therefore, listening to the Spirit can involve observing these spiritual fruits as indicators of divine leading, especially when navigating complex situations.

The importance of heedfulness is also emphasized in scripture. Believers are commanded to be heedful in various aspects of life, including the care of the soul, worship, and conduct [9]. This heedfulness extends to "what we hear" and "how we hear" [9], implying a careful and discerning approach to spiritual input. This is particularly relevant in times of turmoil, when fear or anxiety might cloud judgment. The Spirit's guidance helps believers to distinguish between divine counsel and other voices.

Historically, Christian thinkers have consistently affirmed the Spirit's role in guiding believers. John Chrysostom, an early Church Father, emphasized the importance of holding fast to "the form of sound words" committed to believers, which is to be kept "by the Holy Ghost Which dwelleth in us" [16]. This highlights the Spirit's role in preserving and interpreting divine truth, offering stability amidst doctrinal or practical challenges. The Spirit's indwelling presence is thus a source of constancy and clarity, enabling believers to navigate turmoil with a firm foundation.

Prayer is a primary means through which believers listen to the Holy Spirit. Torrey's Topical Textbook lists various forms of prayer, including "lifting up the soul," "lifting up the heart," and "pouring out the soul" [1]. These descriptions suggest a deep, intimate communication with God, which includes seeking the Spirit's guidance. When facing affliction, believers are exhorted to pray for the presence and support of God, for divine comfort, and for divine teaching and direction, specifically asking that the Holy Spirit not be withdrawn [8]. This demonstrates a reliance on the Spirit as a source of strength and wisdom during difficult times.

The expectation that God "will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints" is a significant aspect of listening to the Spirit in turmoil [17]. This peace is communicated through God's word, through ministers, and through the "blood and righteousness of his Son" [17]. The Spirit facilitates the reception of this peace, offering reassurance and clarity when circumstances are chaotic. The ability to discern this peace, even amidst external strife, is a hallmark of being led by the Spirit.

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer — Commanded -- Isa 55:6; Mt 7:7; Php 4:6. To be offered To God. -- Ps 5:2; Mt 4:10. To Christ. -- Lu 23:42; Ac 7:59. To the Holy Spirit. -- 2Th 3:5. Through Christ. -- Eph 2:18; Heb 10:19. God hears -- Ps 10:17; 65:2. God answers -- Ps 99:6; Isa 58:9. Is described as Bowing the knees. -- Eph 3:14. Looking up. -- Ps 5:3. Lifting up the soul. -- Ps 25:1. Lifting up the heart. -- La 3:41. Pouring out the heart. -- Ps 62:8. Pouring out the soul. -- 1Sa 1:15. Calling upon the name of the Lord. -- Ge 12:8; Ps 116:4; Ac 22:16. Crying to God. -- Ps 27:7; 34:6. Drawing”
  2. Revelation “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. -- Revelation 2:29”
  3. Revelation “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.” -- Revelation 3:22”
  4. Revelation “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes, to him I will give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, which no one knows but he who receives it. -- Revelation 2:17”
  5. Revelation “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. -- Revelation 3:13”
  6. Psalms “Hear the voice of my petitions, when I cry to you, when I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place. -- Psalms 28:2”
  7. Habakkuk “I heard, and my body trembled. My lips quivered at the voice. Rottenness enters into my bones, and I tremble in my place, because I must wait quietly for the day of trouble, for the coming up of the people who invade us. -- Habakkuk 3:16”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Affliction, Prayer Under — Exhortation to -- Jas 5:13. That God would consider our trouble -- 2Ki 19:16; Ne 9:32; Ps 9:13; La 5:1. For the presence and support of God -- Ps 10:1; 102:2. That the Holy Spirit may not be withdrawn -- Ps 51:11. For divine comfort -- Ps 4:6; 119:76. For mitigation of troubles -- Ps 39:12,13. For deliverance -- Ps 25:17,22; 39:10; Isa 64:9-12; Jer 17:14. For pardon and deliverance from sin -- Ps 39:8; 51:1; 79:8. That we may be turned to God -- Ps 80:7; 85:4-6; Jer 31:18. For divine teaching and direction -- Job 34:32; Ps 27:11; 143:10. Fo”
  9. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Heedfulness — Commanded -- Ex 23:13; Pr 4:25-27. Necessary In the care of the soul. -- De 4:9. In the house and worship of God. -- Ec 5:1. In what we hear. -- Mr 4:24. In how we hear. -- Lu 8:18. In keeping God's commandments. -- Jos 22:5. In conduct. -- Eph 5:15. In speech. -- Pr 13:3; Jas 1:19. In worldly company. -- Ps 39:1; Col 4:5. In giving judgment. -- 1Ch 19:6,7. Against sin. -- Heb 12:15,16. Against unbelief. -- Heb 3:12. Against idolatry. -- De 4:15,16. Against false Christs, and false prophets. -- Mt 24:4,5,23,24. Against false teachers. -- Phm 3:2; Col 2:”
  10. John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 15:26: 15:26 But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth: Like a legal advocate, the Holy Spirit counsels and protects Jesus’ followers.”
  11. Galatians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Galatians 5:22: But the fruit of the Spirit - Both flesh - the sinful dispositions of the human heart and spirit - the changed or purified state of the soul, by the grace and Spirit of God, are represented by the apostle as trees, one yielding good the other bad fruit; the productions of each being according to the nature of the tree, as the tree is according to the nature of the seed from which it sprung. The bad seed produced a bad tree, yielding all manner of bad fruit; the good seed produced a good tree, bringing forth fruits of the most excellent kind. The tree of the flesh”
  12. Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 5:8: For the fruit of the Spirit,.... Either of the spirit of man, as renewed, or rather of the Spirit of God; the allusion is to fruits of trees: the believer is a tree of righteousness; Christ is his root; the Spirit is the sap, which supports and nourishes; and good works, under the influence of his grace, are the fruit: the Alexandrian copy, and some others, and the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions, read "the fruit of light"; which agrees with the preceding words: and the genuine fruit of internal grace, or light, is in all goodness, and righteousness, ”
  13. Philippians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Philippians 1:11: The oldest manuscripts read the singular, "fruit." So Gal 5:22 (see on Gal 5:22); regarding the works of righteousness, however manifold, as one harmonious whole, "the fruit of the Spirit" (Eph 5:9) Jam 3:18, "the fruit of righteousness" (Heb 12:11); Rom 6:22, "fruit unto holiness." which are--"which is by (Greek, 'through') Jesus Christ." Through His sending to us the Spirit from the Father. "We are wild and useless olive trees till we are grafted into Christ, who, by His living root, makes us fruit-bearing branches" [CALVIN].”
  14. Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 5:9: fruit of the Spirit--taken by transcribers from Gal 5:22. The true reading is that of the oldest manuscripts, "The fruit of THE LIGHT"; in contrast with "the unfruitful works of darkness" (Eph 5:11). This verse is parenthetic. Walk as children of light, that is, in all good works and words, "FOR the fruit of the light is [borne] in [ALFORD; but BENGEL, 'consists in'] all goodness [opposed to 'malice,' Eph 4:31], righteousness [opposed to 'covetousness,' Eph 5:3] and truth [opposed to 'lying,' Eph 4:25]."”
  15. Habakkuk (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Habakkuk 3:16: Within the compass of these few lines we have the prophet in the highest degree both of trembling and triumphing, such are the varieties both of the state and of the spirit of God's people in this world. In heaven there shall be no more trembling, but everlasting triumphs. I. The prophet had foreseen the prevalence of the church's enemies and the long continuance of the church's troubles; and the sight made him tremble, Hab 3:16. Here he goes on with what he had said Hab 3:2, "I have heard thy speech and was afraid. When I heard what sad times were coming upon t”
  16. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: 484 Homily III. 2 Timothy i. 13–18 “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost Which dwelleth in us. This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: but, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. The ”
  17. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 85:8: I will hear what God the Lord will speak,.... This the psalmist says in the name of the people of the Jews, whom he represents, in all the foregoing expostulations and petitions, refusing to be still and quiet, and wait and listen for an answer to the above request from the Lord, who speaks by his providences, word, and Spirit; see Hab 2:1, for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints; as he does in his word, which is the Gospel of peace; and by his ministers, who bring the good tidings of it, and publish it; and by the blood and righteousness of his S”
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