Does anybody listen to the Holy Spirit?, page 1

reply to post by SpiritofEnoch

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I was talking about this constant questioning of every aspect of everything with a friend that shares the same first name, Christopher. He agreed with me, and said that maybe the constant questioning is in our name. I said that Christopher meant Christ Bearer. He cleverly remarked saying, If Christopher means Christ Bearer, my parents should have named me Mary. He told the joke a lot better than I did but the pun was just spectacular.

reply to post by DelayedChristmas

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It would make sense. But God never stops testing us, right? So what happens when we have moved past the constant questioning? It has to be possible, right?

reply to post by SpiritofEnoch

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I am not familiar with the experience you are describing - but since I am an atheist, I will most likely dismiss your claim of having contact with a supernatural entity as some sort of misconception, until I am presented with quantifiable evidence.
But I can't help but wonder how you know it's the holy spirit?

I am glad that this motivates you to treat others with compassion. Would you by any chance share some of these things that the Spirit tells you? I am curious. I am curious.

reply to post by Mads1987

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Sure. A big one is also a simple one. If I ever happen to pass judgement on someone, I am immediately reminded by my "conscience" to judge not, lest I be judged. It also tells me that everything happens for a reason, that somebody cares when I do the right thing and it goes unnoticed, and also has helped me quit smoking and manage stress by calming me when called upon to do so. Those are the simple things, anyway.

Originally posted by SpiritofEnoch
reply to post by DelayedChristmas

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It would make sense. But God never stops testing us, right? So what happens when we have moved past the constant questioning? It has to be possible, right?

I am still learning. Ask Father these questions, and you'll find out for yourself. Why would I help you cheat during test time

Originally posted by SpiritofEnoch
reply to post by Mads1987

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Sure. A big one is also a simple one. If I ever happen to pass judgement on someone, I am immediately reminded by my "conscience" to judge not, lest I be judged. It also tells me that everything happens for a reason, that somebody cares when I do the right thing and it goes unnoticed, and also has helped me quit smoking and manage stress by calming me when called upon to do so. Those are the simple things, anyway.

What if you judging someone would bring about a positive outcome, and by not judging them, something bad happens to them?

reply to post by boncho

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There is a fine line between helping someone with a fault and judging someone. I can't say I'm perfect at staying on one side of it, but I do my best.

Originally posted by boncho

Originally posted by SpiritofEnoch
reply to post by Mads1987

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Sure. A big one is also a simple one. If I ever happen to pass judgement on someone, I am immediately reminded by my "conscience" to judge not, lest I be judged. It also tells me that everything happens for a reason, that somebody cares when I do the right thing and it goes unnoticed, and also has helped me quit smoking and manage stress by calming me when called upon to do so. Those are the simple things, anyway.

What if you judging someone would bring about a positive outcome, and by not judging them, something bad happens to them?

Judgment is an issue about which a lot of people are confused, and cautious. From a Biblical point of view, there are times we are to judge. I won't try explaining this myself, as I located a great article on the topic, that does a far better job than I could:

Should Christians Judge?

Originally posted by Mads1987
reply to post by SpiritofEnoch

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I am not familiar with the experience you are describing - but since I am an atheist, I will most likely dismiss your claim of having contact with a supernatural entity as some sort of misconception, until I am presented with quantifiable evidence.
But I can't help but wonder how you know it's the holy spirit?

I am glad that this motivates you to treat others with compassion. Would you by any chance share some of these things that the Spirit tells you? I am curious. I am curious.

edit on 06/06/12 by Mads1987 because: (no reason given)

edit on 06/06/12 by Mads1987 because: Spell check

You know who can give you the best answer? Father.

To me, it seems like your genuinely interested, but I can't tell for sure because I can't look at your heart.

Ask with a pure heart. It's all about a personal relationship, that is all the evidence you will ever need. The words of others, in my opinion, can only go so far.

reply to post by LadyGreenEyes

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If we always listened, we'd be angels, not men. (or women.)

I don't always listen, but I don't ignore Him either. If I'm not listening, I tell Him why. (obviously, because He knows everything)

Originally posted by Mads1987
reply to post by SpiritofEnoch

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I am not familiar with the experience you are describing - but since I am an atheist, I will most likely dismiss your claim of having contact with a supernatural entity as some sort of misconception, until I am presented with quantifiable evidence.
But I can't help but wonder how you know it's the holy spirit?

I am glad that this motivates you to treat others with compassion. Would you by any chance share some of these things that the Spirit tells you? I am curious. I am curious.

edit on 06/06/12 by Mads1987 because: (no reason given)

edit on 06/06/12 by Mads1987 because: Spell check

How one can know the Holy Spirit is speaking, as opposed to just having a random idea, or listening to some other entity, is not complicated. The Spirit will never contradict the Word of God, for one thing. Nor would He tell us to so something evil. We are told to test the spirits. 1 John 4 talks about this:

1 John 4:1 - "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."

The theme continues, as you can read here:

1 John 4 (KJV)

As for what the Spirit can tell us, that can vary. I have discernment (spiritual gift), and am very familiar with hearing things from God. Always tested, always careful. There have been cases where I was told something (basically just knowing something was a certain way), and was able to warn a person of a problem. Or, in many cases, was aware that someone had some issue, and needed support or prayer, or help of some kind. Something you would not have a way to know otherwise, that was true. One example I can share from my personal life:

I was chatting with some people online, many years back, in an old Compuserve Christian chat room. All friendly conversation, nothing serious brought up. I began to feel strongly that one person there was very upset, and needed to talk. I sent her a PM, and she was, in fact, extremely upset, though she had said nothing to alert anyone. She asked how I knew, and all I could do was tell her that God made me know. As it turned out, she wanted children badly, could not have her own, and was not at all sure that she and her husband would ever be able to adopt. She needed someone to talk to, to let it all out, to cry with. We talked a long time that night, and she's been a friend since. Yes, she was finally able to adopt, two wonderful kids from a very messed up home, that she adores. There was no way, on my own, that I could have known she had the need for a friend that night. That knowledge brought only good. I have no doubt that it was from God, because of His very real presence in my life. The Holy Spirit is God within all that accept the Son. Confusing, I know. Real, though.

Nice to see curiosity on the topic! Maybe, just maybe, He's trying to talk to you, too. "...seek and ye shall find..." (from Matthew 7:7).

reply to post by SpiritofEnoch

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Sounds like good stuff. But naturally from my standpoint I don't see why you need the Spirit to justify or explain having these thoughts.
Which is why I am curious to know how you know that you've been hearing the Spirit?

I my view - we humans have always depended on each other for maintaining life, progress, civilization etc. which is why we often strive to create harmony around us. It is logical to think that stuff couldn't work if everybody walked around and hated each other, and I think we've seen plenty of examples throughout history to know that negativity, hatred and distrust can have catastrophic impacts on communities.

Originally posted by SpiritofEnoch
reply to post by boncho

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There is a fine line between helping someone with a fault and judging someone. I can't say I'm perfect at staying on one side of it, but I do my best.

But what if that person needs to be judged for it to make them change their mind. The human psyche does not revolve around things written in an old book.

If that were the case, religion would have solved all our issues eons ago...

Originally posted by SpiritofEnoch
reply to post by LadyGreenEyes

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If we always listened, we'd be angels, not men. (or women.)

I don't always listen, but I don't ignore Him either. If I'm not listening, I tell Him why. (obviously, because He knows everything)

Very true! I am not always happy, either, and he knows that, too. Was once that I was actually very angry with God. We talked it out, but it was a rough time. In that case, twin grandsons lost to early delivery and an idiot doctor. Ah, but grace is a wonderful thing, and He loves us in spite of all the times we mess up!

reply to post by Mads1987

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That's where it gets difficult, I imagine. At least it was difficult for me. It is somewhat circular logic, and me being a very logical person, I hate to admit it and it also does quite a lot to limit my faith (but it's normal to have doubts. anybody who doesn't have doubts is a fool and a zealot, even if you're an atheist.) The logic goes something like this. I think it's the Holy Spirit because it told me it was when I asked if it was. Does this mean it is? No. Do I have any proof? No. But I would very much like to believe it is. And something in my heart tells me that it is. Regardless of whether it's the Holy Spirit or not, it is there. I am still wary of it, and I don't take everything it says and run with it (look where that got Abraham and his poor son Isaac.) But I cannot deny that it has done good for me and my life. Take from that what you will.

If it doesn't make sense to you, I won't be surprised. The message of the spirit is foolishness to anyone who cannot hear it.

reply to post by boncho

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The judgement of man is nothing to the judgement of God. God has many instruments with which to do His work. He doesn't need me to judge someone else if it is not in my nature to do so, because he knows that I will not do it.

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