The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”—Acts 8:29 (NIV)

The Spirit told me to share these words with you. 

My friend spoke confidently, and then continued to voice encouragement for my soul. She could not possibly have known how desperately I needed to hear her words at that moment. But through the Spirit, she felt led to share them.

I’ve always been amazed at people who speak so confidently about the Spirit’s promptings. For me, it’s always been a mystery. How can they be sure it’s the Spirit? Do they hear an audible voice? How does the Spirit sound different from their own thoughts or inclinations?

For years my skepticism caused me to overlook the incredible work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. It felt less risky to interpret divine guidance simply as works of God, rather than to single out the Holy Spirit. 

But a few months ago my pastor invited me to share a lesson on the Holy Spirit with members of our congregation. To prepare for this assignment, I researched the role of the Spirit from the beginning of the Bible (Genesis), to the very end (Revelation). As I did so, I made an interesting observation. 

People in the Bible were very aware of the Spirit’s work in their lives. For example, in the Book of Acts we read the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. 

The story begins with an angel telling Philip to travel on the desert road that connected Jerusalem to Gaza (Acts 8:26). As Philip obeyed, he met the Ethiopian eunuch who was traveling home after worshiping God in Jerusalem (Acts 8:27-28). At this moment we see the intervention of the Holy Spirit:

The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” (Acts 8:29 NIV)

The Bible doesn’t explain how the Spirit spoke to Philip. Was it an audible voice? Was it his own internal voice prompting him to go to that chariot? We are left to wonder. But clearly Philip recognized the Spirit and then obeyed. 

Philip’s obedience to the Spirit led to the conversion of the eunuch (Acts 8:30-38). At the conclusion of the story, the eunuch rejoiced as he continued his journey while the Spirit sent Philip on another mission (Acts 8:39). According to early church tradition, the eunuch carried the gospel home with him and started the church in Ethiopia.

The Spirit’s methods may be mysterious, but His mission is always crystal clear. He works to accomplish God’s will in our lives. The Spirit will never lead us to do anything that violates God’s standard for holy living. But He will lead us to complete the good works God intends for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).

I’m still learning how to lean into the Spirit’s guidance. As part of my practice of solitude and silence, I ask for the Spirit’s help in discerning God’s will for me. As I leave that time of prayer, I wait in a listening posture. 

I never hear an audible voice, but I do receive thoughts or promptings. Sometimes they have led me to send a friend an encouraging text; other times they gave me ideas for blog posts. Each time I followed these inclinations, I saw how the Spirit used them to meet the needs of others. And my confidence in hearing and following the Spirit’s guidance grew.

Confidently following the Spirit’s guidance isn’t restricted to people in the Bible. It’s available to all of us who are willing to seek, listen, and obey.

Dear Lord Jesus, Thank You for sending us the Spirit. Help us to know how to seek His guidance and to discern His leading. Give us the confidence to follow where He sends us so we can complete the good works You intend for us to do. We pray this in Your name. Amen.