Today’s devotion is based on a plethora of verses that speak of how and what the Holy Spirit has spoken in New testament times. The apostle Paul is so clear in one Corinthians 12:3 that it is only by the Holy Spirit that one can say Jesus is Lord and anyone who speaks contrary to this is not speaking by the spirit of God.
There is a helpful wisdom that we ought to test what we hear by what is recorded in the Bible. However, if this morning you choose to read, in my comment below, all the examples I recorded of the Spirit speaking in the New Testament, you will be surprised on a number of occasions as was I. Just picking a couple, Matthew 10:19 to 20 states a promise that the Holy Spirit will bring words of defence for the apostles when they are arrested. Philip is told in Acts 8:29 by Holy Spirit seemingly randomly to stand by a chariot and to stay near it. Agabus was so thoroughly convicted by the Spirit that he predicted accurately that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world in Acts 11:28. Then in Acts 21, Holy Spirit displays his beautiful protective side by initially prohibiting Paul from going into Jerusalem before then warning him of the persecution he will face there. What happens next is quite stunning in that Paul recognises the Spirit acting to protect him and despite this, he still chooses go into Jerusalem for the sake of preaching to the Jews and clearly forsakes his own well-being.
In this last example of Paul going against the warning of the Holy Spirit it makes me wonder if he’s doing the right thing according to Hebrews 3:7 which states, “So, as the Holy Spirit says: today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” But ultimately Paul’s heart is so soft in his love for the Jews which is the reason why ignored Holy Spirit’s warning. His soft-heartedness for others is also shown in the core theme of love in his first letter to the Corinthian church.
Prayer: I praise you Holy Spirit that you are speaking in these times, even today, and that you give me ears to hear your voice. I bless you that you initiate evangelism and lovingly guide and protect us when we face persecution and enable us with a clear defence when required.
Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:3
The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
1 Timothy 4:1 NIV
Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.
Revelation 2:11 NIV
So, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear his voice,
Hebrews 3:7 NIV
But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Matthew 10:19-20 NIV
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Acts 2:4 NIV
The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”
Acts 8:29 NIV
While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you.
Acts 10:19 NIV
The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house.
Acts 11:12 NIV
One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.)
Acts 11:28 NIV
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
Acts 13:2 NIV
Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.
Acts 16:6-7 NIV
We sought out the disciples there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.
Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’ ”
Acts 21:4, 11 NIV