INNER WITNESS

Read: Galatians 4:6
Topic: Inner Witness

"And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth THE SPIRIT of his Son into your hearts, CRYING, Abba, Father." 
Galatians 4:6

The voice of the Holy Spirit to your spirit is called the “Inner Witness”. The Bible also tells us that the Holy Spirit is in our hearts (spirit) crying “Abba Father”, which is the cry of a child to his real father. By the voice of the Holy Spirit in your heart, you know that you are a real child of God.

This verse says that the Holy Spirit is crying or shouting in your heart. But have you ever heard an audible voice saying “Abba Father”? Have you ever had an audible voice flashing through your mind saying “Abba Father”? The answer is no! What is the effect of the Holy Spirit crying “Abba Father” in our heart? It creates a silent assurance of your salvation. You know that you are a Christian and you know that you are going to Heaven.

The voice of the Holy Spirit to your spirit creates what I call a quiet assurance. It creates a relaxed knowing about something. Apostle Paul described this as perceiving or a knowing. You may ask, “Pastor, how do you know these things?” I know it from the Bible. Let us read it together.

"Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, And said unto them, Sirs, I PERCEIVE that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul."
Acts 27:9-11

Apostle Paul declared to the Centurion and other experienced sailors that he perceived that there were going to be serious problems during the journey. Paul did not say that he had heard the Spirit of God telling him not to travel. He just had a knowing and a perception. How did he know this? How did he perceive this? Was it a natural perception or a spiritual perception? It was definitely not a natural perception because in the natural there was no sign of danger. The wind was blowing very softly, which was a good sign. 

"And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete."
Acts 27:13

As you can see, the south wind was blowing softly. There was no indication of trouble. Paul had what many Christians have when the Holy Spirit speaks to their spirit – a perception and a knowing. 

As if to distinguish between the different ways in which the Holy Spirit speaks, the Lord spoke to Paul in a different way on this same journey. The bad things he had perceived had happened and the people on the ship had given up hope of surviving. However, God spoke to Paul in an unusual or spectacular way.

"But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship. For THERE STOOD BY ME THIS NIGHT THE ANGEL OF GOD, whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me."
Acts 27:21-25

You can see from this passage that the Holy Spirit spoke in two different ways on two different occasions. The first time was by the inner witness and the second time was by an angel. 

Another Scripture which says the same thing is Romans 8:16.

"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:"
Romans 8:16

When the Holy Spirit speaks to your spirit, you do not have thoughts flashing through your mind. The Spirit bearing witness is the same as the Spirit speaking or witnessing to your heart that you are a child of God. This is the commonest way that you will detect the voice of the Spirit. 

When you want to take a decision, watch out for that quiet assurance in your heart! If you want to marry somebody, watch out for that relaxed knowing that “this is it!” If you need to change your job or enter a partnership, check up on whether you have that quiet assurance of peace in your heart.

Credit: Excerpt From
The Art of Hearing
Bishop Dag Heward-Mills

Comments

  1. Beryl9 February 2022 at 03:16

    What an eye opener!! Thank You Father for this word. I pray for the grace to always be sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit and not rush to take important decisions without a quiet assurance of peace in my heart.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Unknown9 February 2022 at 03:19

    Ameeen! Lord give me the wisdom and the ears to be able to hear and obey that inner voice

    ReplyDelete
  3. Elvina omalla9 February 2022 at 03:57

    Amen,may God grant me the grace to be sensitive and follow the inner voice

    ReplyDelete
  4. Clinton Ogechi9 February 2022 at 06:13

    O Lord may I receive the spirit of assurance in my life .Amen

    ReplyDelete
  5. Chesang'9 February 2022 at 06:49

    Lord guide me to always be sensitive and listen to the inner voice

    ReplyDelete
  6. Renson mamadi9 February 2022 at 08:37

    Father Lord help that i can have that sensitive and to listen to the word of God Amen

    ReplyDelete

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