Scripture: Ephesians 1:13-14 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
Devotion: There is a beautiful truth for believers from Ephesians 1. When we believe in Jesus and are saved by Him, we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. In fact, this is such an important truth for us to grasp that it is one of our “three truths for new believers” that we teach in our membership class. The very Spirit of God dwells within you and will never leave you when you know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of your life.
When it comes to hearing the voice of God, the Holy Spirit is an important part of it. Once again, recognizing the guidance of the Holy Spirit starts with being in Scripture because the Holy Spirit will never lead you down a path that is contrary to God’s Word. And as we read Scripture, it is actually the Spirit who illuminates it for us (1 Corinthians 2:6-16). The Spirit brings us understanding about what God is saying through it. And then the Spirit calls that Scripture to mind as we go about our everyday lives. Perhaps you are reading through Scripture and are struck by something that you have never noticed before. Or maybe you understand a topic or story in the Bible that confused you before. This is the word of the Spirit through illumination.
This very work allows us to hear the voice of God. When the Spirit illuminates Scripture for us, we can listen for what God is saying to us as we read. We can bring to mind verses that are placed on our heart by the Holy Spirit as we are praying for guidance. We can trust that through His Word and through the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, we can discern God’s voice and use it to guide us throughout our lives.
Reflect:
- How often do you think about the Holy Spirit dwelling within you?
- Do you ever ask the Spirit to reveal to you what God is telling you through Scripture? Try to do that this week and be prepared to listen.
