How to Recognize and Act on the Holy Spirit’s Nudges

Are you ready to respond when the Holy Spirit prompts you to act?

How is the Holy Spirit working in our lives? Do you guys struggle with clarity on how the Holy Spirit speaks to us? We have talked to guys who have specific occasions when they hear the audible voice of God speaking directly to them.   Our experience with God hasn't yet been in an audible voice. It could be we need to be better prepared to listen? Or maybe it's just not how God chooses to speak with us. Regardless, we know that God speaks to us individually and at different times. 

Throughout our lives, God has spoken and continues to speak to us, specifically when we feel the nudge to act, speak, or be convinced to change something that isn't aligned with his purpose for us.

This last week, we thought about a book that our friend, Clare DeGraaf, wrote years back called "The Ten Second Rule." You can check it out here. Many of you have likely read it, but the basic premise is that when we feel the Spirit nudging us to do something, we have 10 seconds to decide to respond, or we risk not responding at all. Clare could articulate it much better, but if we don't make the active decision right away when God speaks to us, we risk distractions getting in the way, the devil pushing thoughts of doubt, or simply losing the courage to act. This causes us to think about Jesus and share the parable of the seed.

“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it.  This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown”  Matthew 13:23

Guys, has God been speaking to you directly about something recently? Have we listened actively, prayed, and got into HIS word daily? Have you recently felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to act, respond, or change? As you read this, you may feel the Spirit moving for you to act. If you are reasonably sure that it’s speaking and that it is your desire, THEN DO IT! Send that note to someone with encouragement, take the time to help a friend OR stranger in need, and STOP making that habit that hurts your relationship with your heavenly father, spouse, friends, or family. Don’t Don'te devil talk you out of it.

“and do not give the devil a foothold” Ephesians 4:27

Guys, just this past week, we had times when the Spirit moved us, and we responded, and GOD was glorified. Was fear involved or “what if” running through our minds, certainly? Were we 100% certain at the time that it was God speaking? Nope! What if we don’t get immediate validation that we are following God’s will? That’s the point, gents; it’s about our faithfulness. God has a plan, even if we never see or experience the outcome on earth.

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart”  Proverbs 3:3

Okay, maybe you are in a spot where you don’t sense God speaking to you or find it hard to listen. Or possibly just not sure how to go about hearing from God. Well, it is interesting that this morning, our daily devotion hit on Romans 10:17:

“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ” Romans 10:17.

In the devotion, Rick Warren described this verse as “activating God’s word through faith.” So, when we aren’t sure what to do or need to hear from God, we need to get into his word through the Bible!

Okay, guys, as we go about this week, let’s take time to listen. Let’s get into his word and activate our Faith. Let’s listen for those promptings from God and be ready to take action!