How to Be Led by the Holy Spirit

Last Updated: May 6, 2021 Approved

Paul said in Acts 23:1 that he always followed his conscience. Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, "My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day."^{[1]
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Research source} And in I Timothy 4:2 Paul said that a sign of the last times is that people would not follow their conscience; "paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron,..." (I Timothy 4:2)^{[2]
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Research source}This article explains how to say a good prayer, keep on loving God and Jesus and be led by the Holy Spirit.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Initiating Spirituality

If you need guidance fast, you can get into tune with your conscience faster if you pray and fast (Galatians 5:17).

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Recognize that the primary way that God will lead you is through your conscience and the Bible (Romans 8:14-16, John 17:17). Even Jesus followed His conscience (Mark 2:8). You should follow Him first before expecting your prayers being met. John 15:7 says, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."
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Avoid all that sinful. For your conscience to be a good guide, you must avoid associating with sinners or it will contaminate your spirit (2 Corinthians 7:1).

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Ask God for Guidance (Jeremiah 33:3, James 1:5, John 16:13). 1 John 5:14-15 says, "And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us..." You can pray for wisdom (Ephesians 1:17). James 1:5 shows that God wants you to have wisdom and He wants you to have it in abundance but you must ask in faith.
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Be still (Psalms 46:10). You don't have to be on your knees. God gets your prayer anyway, though you must be in a state of reverence.
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Address Jesus. Start with saying, "Dear God," or "Dear Lord"
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Ask what He would like you to do. You must show willingness to leave everything for Jesus just like Abraham showed willingness to give his only son to God. God happily gave his son back to him. But a certain wealthy man turned away when he asked Jesus and Jesus told him to sell all he has. He denied Jesus. James 4:3 says, "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss..."
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Ask for forgiveness for your sins. You can then end with, "In Jesus name I pray. Amen"

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Receiving God's Command for You

It is not good to seek spectacular signs like voices or visions because the devil can deceive people with exterior signs (II Corinthians 11:14). The inner witness in the conscience is not very spectacular, it is accurate and supernatural.

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Allow silence. The next type of leading is when God is silent. This is where I do not have any leading in my conscience. God is saying, "Wait it is not His timing or it is not His will." In I Kings 13, the younger prophet lost his life when he proceeded without a leading from God.
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Find God's peace. The next type of leading is the green light where you feel joy or peace or God's presence. This is God saying, "Yes" and sometimes it comes with a revelation as to what to do (like Acts 16 and Acts 27), you just know supernaturally what to do inside your conscience.
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Renew your mind as spoken to you. Renew your thoughts and desires with the Word of God as that will help you to mature (Roman 12:2) and make better decisions.You must be able to perceive the No's before you actually get guidance (I Corinthians 14:10, Acts 16:6-7, Acts 27:10). Paul says that there are many voices in the world and they all have their significance. There is the voice of diet, exercise, education, mastering a trade, but what is God telling you to do? When you perceive a "No", you may not usually feel good inside. God is trying to warn you that if you proceed, there will be danger or failure.
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Thank Him for His blessings. Praise Jesus as you feel a sudden positivity. Do not hate God if your prayer is not answered the way you wanted! God has your whole life planned. Keep on following what is true and evaluate if your journey thus far has been blessed outside of your effort.

Community Q&A

Question

What can I do for my mind to be focused only on things of God?

Community Answer

Read the word of God day and night and desire God with all your might. There are going to be times you when feel like giving up, and these feelings of doubt will start to come up, but humble yourselves, and do not stop.
Question

What can I do if I am always feeling like I am far away from God?

Vanessa600

Community Answer

Pray! When you meet someone for the first time and you are interested in being friends then most likely you would speak to that person on a regular basis so that you could get to learn more about the individual, and if the communication stops, then the relationship weakens. Likewise is our relationship with God. By praying constantly and reading and meditating on his word, we will be able to build a strong relationship with him. So whenever you feel far away from God, just pray!
Question

How do I get away from doubt?

Community Answer

For Christians, the only thing God in Triumvirate requires of you is to have faith. On a practical level, that starts with the understanding that doubt has no reality except in thoughts alone; and that thoughts are only that, and are not what you are or what value you have. Only you can determine, acknowledge, and let go of thoughts that disturb you. Practice thinking that affirms and supports you. Reading, studying and community with others in faith is your path.