Bible Students

I do not believe there is an especially straightforward way to definitively know the voice of the Spirit. However, I do believe there are a few ways to go about understanding the will of the Spirit for you individually. Firstly, exercising biblical wisdom. What would Jesus do in this situation? What does the wisdom literature say about this topic? Exercising wisdom and following the written words of the Spirit is a great place to start. Next is evaluating abilities. Is the Spirit leading me some place where He has giften me? Next is asking others for confirmation in this calling, both of the gifts and of the wisdom in direction. Lastly, if all of these things seem godly, a balance between a desire and lack of desire in the calling, I believe, is a good indicator of a calling.

As an example, I can mention why I feel called to vocational ministry. For years I felt like I was “called” to pursue ministry, but I pushed against the idea. I hate being in front of people (preaching) and I did not have much understanding of the Christian faith. However, I did love people. There was both a desire in the calling (to serve people) and a dying to self that would need to happen (being in front of people). This is a huge oversimplification of the process, but I believe this balance was important in seeing the calling to ministry by the Spirit.

Being led by myself and not the Spirit would look like pursuing unwise things, according to the Spirit’s written Word. Going against the biblical picture of godly living is a clear sign that the Spirit is not calling you to something.