Cultivating Quiet: The Song of the Spirit
Getting to know the voice of the Holy Spirit has proved to be one of the most crucial pieces of knowledge for the wellbeing of my heart and mind.
I remember the “a-ha” moment. I was sitting in a chair, across from a woman who volunteered for our church’s Biblical Counseling ministry. I was struggling with a lot of anxiety—over the most menial things.
You see, I had a desire to please God—a deep one—but upon learning there were a Holy Spirit that worked inside of me, I got all twisted up and confused about when I was hearing from Him and when I wasn’t.
Upon understanding that God communicates with us personally—but not yet having the tools to discern his voice—I would have certain thoughts or inclinations and I automatically assumed they were the Holy Spirit. Basically, if it popped into my mind—especially when I was praying or at church—I assumed it had to be God. Some of these thoughts were really unkind or demanding or shaming. And the amiable part of my nature would just bend to whatever thoughts rolled in. I was being whipped back and forth by an unholy hurricane of thoughts… did I mention I was at a counselor’s office?
So anyways, God used this kind woman sitting across from me to teach me something crucial: not every thought that enters your mind is a good one to take hold of.
As Christians, we get to actively, prayerfully, wisely decide what to do with the thoughts and feelings that come our way. If this sounds like a battle, well… yeah, you’re kind of right! It is a battle, but it’s a battle that’s entirely worth fighting.
At the other end of our silenced enemy, is the song of the Spirit—ringing clear and sweet.
You know that verse about taking your thoughts captive?
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV
That’s the whole idea. We take firm hold of Gospel truth, and tell the rest “buh-bye”. And the Spirit helps us to this end. Because there are ideas that float around—kind of like we talked in the “lies” section of this series—that can wreak havoc in our lives. They don’t lead to the full and abundant life intended for us by Jesus.
Let’s revisit these words of Jesus yet again, as they never stop being vital:
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 NIV
What I would come to learn about many of the thoughts and feelings that entered my mind, is that they weren’t coming from Jesus. The voice of Jesus is the opposite of unkind, demanding or shaming. It’s rich with kindness, offers freedom, and reminds us that we are uncondemned.
And when we learn to identify, abolish, and tune out enemy lies, this kind freedom song is exactly what we begin to hear sung over us. So then, let’s break it down: what do we know to be true about Jesus, and how can these truths help us to better discern the Spirit?
We’ll cover three elements of the Spirit’s voice: kindness, freedom and advocacy. Let’s begin with kindness…
KINDNESS
The first chapter of Ephesians is breathtakingly beautiful. It uses words like “lavishness” and “riches” to describe the nature of God’s pouring out of blessings onto His children.
This chapter reminds us that God calls us his children, in Christ, because of his incredible love for us, and because it pleased him to do so.
Our God is so sweet, you guys. I don’t mean to use a kitschy word and downplay it. But to make you think: God is really, truly kind and gracious. He is so extravagantly good. He is abundant in his generosity—to the point that we actually can’t even comprehend all that’s coming our way because of Jesus:
…“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” the things God has prepared for those who love him… 1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV
And just to be really dramatic and draw this truth out… get ready for the absolute confetti toss that arrives immediately after that Corinthians verse—and let it serve as a reminder that God wants you to know these things. Here is is again, with the cherry added on top (underlined):
…“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” the things God has prepared for those who love him… these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 NIV
The Holy Spirit reminds us of the generous riches of God, and all the spiritual blessings he has lavishly poured out on us by His Son. Take stock of a few:
He has chosen for us to be seen by Him as holy and blameless. Aka, perfect. (I hope all the perfectionists out there just let out a single tear. This is so encouraging!) (Ephesians 1:4)
He has chosen for us to be called his child. (And for the ones out there who feel lonely, or uncared for—you have the greatest, most loving Parent that ever existed. And he chose you.) (Ephesians 1:5)
We have the forgiveness of sins; that’s right—our mess-ups and mistakes are wiped out when we turn to Jesus. We undergo redemption; our soul has been re-claimed. (Ephesians 1:7, Psalm 103, namely 103:12)
Do you want to know how we are guaranteed of these incredible truths? By the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is the “stamp” on our hearts that proclaims our salvation, sonship, and forgiveness in Jesus. (Ephesians 1:13-14)
So then, if there are thoughts or feelings that come barreling into your mind—telling you that you aren’t forgiven for that thing you repented of, or that God doesn’t want you, love you, or keep you as his own child, or that He simply views you as a screw-up… be encouraged: that is not the nature of the Spirit.
He convicts us of our sin, but it will be done in a way that is hope-filled, with the truth of the Gospel eclipsing the brokenness of our circumstances.
David lays out this concept well in Psalm 32. He acknowledges the heaviness of knowing he sinned—but that heaviness is entirely relieved by the generous salvation he found when he turned to the Lord:
For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. Psalm 32:4-5 NIV
Guilt covers us with heaviness. Jesus sets us free. And the Spirit reminds us of this beautiful truth.
The sweet song of the Spirit reminds our hearts of all of our Spiritual blessings in Christ: we are deeply loved, saved from sin, and given the position of being God’s child. When we learn to identify—and quiet down—the clamoring lies that Christ’s sacrifice wasn’t quite enough, the melody of the Spirit brings harmony to our hearts: we are richly blessed—and eternally secure—in Christ.
The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. Psalm 118:14 ESV
FREEDOM
Oh baby. This is a good one. Let’s talk about freedom.
But before we do that, let’s talk about what isn’t freedom: Coercion isn’t freedom. Manipulation isn’t freedom. Harassment isn’t freedom. Torment isn’t freedom. Force isn’t freedom…
But the way of the Lord?
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17
The way of the Lord is freedom.
Because you see, while following Jesus entails taking up a cross—or, being willing to crucify our sinful desires in order to walk His way—this cross isn’t intended to be burdensome.
A burden is something that feels heavy or forced—but that’s not the way of God. He invites us to freely lay our lives down. Truly free—again, not coerced, burdened, or manipulated—but carried along by the Spirit of God working inside us.
Even Jesus wasn’t forced to the cross, but regarding his own life, he said this:
No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again… John 10:18 NIV
This glimpse into the wisdom of Jesus captures the mindset we are transformed into when we become children of God. Our place in God’s family is secure, and sin becomes not something we want to do, but something our flesh does—contrary to our deepest desires. (Romans 7)
In this way, after a person has received the transformative Holy Spirit, their definition of freedom changes as well. If freedom is being able to openly choose—then for the Christian, freedom is the empowerment to choose holiness.
The Christian seeks holiness, not because their relationship with God is on the line, but because holiness becomes the desire planted deep within them by the work of the Holy Spirit. And as they grow in their faith and knowledge of a Loving God, increased goodness is an organic result.
So then, we as seek to discern the song of the Spirit, it’s important to remember that the voice of God doesn’t demand, but encourages. It doesn’t manipulate, but inspires. It doesn’t confuse, but clarifies.
And as we dwell in the Word, in the body of Christ, (and among the song of creation), we become familiar with this nature of God.
Again, the commands of God aren’t burdensome. But rather, we become freed to follow Jesus, in love, with our eternal victory in mind:
This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:2-4 NIV
This is helpful to remember when we are aiming to discern what’s going on inside our hearts and minds. God’s Spirit convicts us, directs us, and reminds us of the beautiful truth of the Gospel—of the ways of God, and of his intentional plans for our lives. If our thoughts or feelings are riddled with an overwhelming sense of dread, fear, or confusion—we can discern those aren’t God’s voice.
If that voice in your head says “you must do this, or else you’re going to have something bad happen to you” and it sound scary or forceful… that isn’t God.
If that thought you experience torments you or confuses you, such as “you better figure out what to do, even though it all seems so unclear, or God will condemn you and you’ll ruin your life”… that isn’t God.
If the feeling you are fighting tells you that you must do something, even if it goes against your own sound thinking, that’s called manipulation: perhaps it goes like this, “even though it seems pure or good to do this one thing, I feel this anxiety that I must do the opposite, or else I’m disobeying God and I’ll be doomed”… that isn’t God.
Life with God isn't dreadful; we have eternal hope. God isn’t afraid, he holds the entire future. God isn’t confused; he is full of Light and clarity.
That doesn’t mean anxieties and unholy thoughts won’t come, but I hope this reminder helps you to grow in your ability to hold fast to what is true and good:
We aren’t coerced, confused, or manipulated by God: we are loved, guided, and free.
Regarding our free life with Jesus, this paraphrase of Matthew 11:28-30 from The Message contains some of the most beautiful language:
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30 MSG
This part: learn the unforced rhythms of grace. It’s golden.
We come to Jesus, seek his personal yoke and walk with him. Understanding his goodness, we willingly keep in step with him. Unforced, covered by grace, we begin to understand true freedom.
The song of the Spirit reminds us that we are eternally free. He welcomes our participation into true goodness—not forcing, pushing or manipulating—but rather blessing us with wisdom, giving lavish amounts of love, inviting our hand to dance.
ADVOCACY
Have you ever been in a position where your name was being maligned? (I hope not, but sadly, many of us have.)
Maybe it was your frenemy in middle school. Maybe it was a colleague in a hostile work environment. And if you picture a scenario that happened, what would it have looked like for somebody to have stepped in to defend you?
Whatever image comes to your mind of a person defending someone’s honor, I think our hearts all have a grasp of how good that would feel, and how awful it feels to be accused or written off.
As we continue to explore what the voice of the Spirit sounds like, take diligent note of this fact: the enemy is an accuser, Jesus is our defender. (Revelation 12:10)
While the enemy likes to point the finger at us, and try to rattle off all he reasons we are bad, Jesus stands at God’s side, reminding him that because of his sacrifice, we are eternally labeled good:
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:1-2 NIV
Our encouragement above is—not to choose the sin that tarnishes our lives—but to be reminded that, even when we do, our slate has been fully wiped clean by the blood of Christ.
Furthermore, in a beautiful passage in John 14, Jesus describes the role of the Holy Spirit as an advocate: one who stands by our side, pleads our cause, defends our case, and aids us. As we aim to walk out our Christian lives, we aren’t alone; the Spirit lives with us, and dwells within us.
“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” John 14:15-17 NIV
We have a helper—the Spirit—to support us in trials, and pray to God on our behalf. As humans living in the world, broken circumstances and the sin of our flesh bring hardships, but we are comforted to remember the Spirit interceding for us:
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. Romans 8:26-27 NIV
The Holy Spirit is a helpful, interceding advocate.
Everything about who the Spirit is—in agreement with the very heart of God—seeks for God’s people to be uncondemned. The Lord desires that all would come to repentance and salvation:
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 NIV
So, if you have a recurring thought or feeling that God simply doesn’t love you, condemns you even though you’re in Christ, resents you, or has written you off as a failure… let me be so graciously clear with you: this is contrary to his nature.
The Holy Spirit is the opposite of condemning; the Spirit is our advocate.
The Holy Spirit doesn’t leave us to our own devices; the Spirit is our prayerful helper.
The Holy Spirit isn’t resentful; the Spirit is hope-filled and encouraging.
God’s Spirit directs (and redirects) us away from sin. He helps us to see our sin—or harmful patterns that oppose God’s ways—clearly and to want to turn from it; he does so from a posture of love. His voice isn’t accusational. His voice is loving, hopeful, and helpful.
He treats us like a Good Father treats his children. Filled with unconditional love, willing to offer wisdom, redirecting with patience and clarity, and dwelling alongside. Again, he doesn’t hurl confusing accusations, leaving the child to their own defenses. The Spirit reminds us that we don’t need to live in fear, but we can turn to God as our loving “Daddy”:
The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15 NIV
The Spirit doesn’t leave us cowering in confusion, worried about getting it wrong. We don’t need to approach decisions shaking in our boots, because the extravagant grace of God covers us. We are held by our Heavenly Father, and the Spirit reminds us of this: we have Christ himself advocating for our defense.
Get to know the sweet song of the Spirit; he is the one who intercedes for us and reminds us of our salvation. He whispers to our hearts that, in Christ, we are not condemned. The Spirit helps us. The Spirit prays for us. The Spirit proclaims to our hearts that we are advocated for.
The Song of the Spirit
This idea of tuning out the noise of this world to learn into the sweet song of the Spirit isn’t a new one. In fact, song is associated with the Holy Spirit many times throughout Scripture.
Song is connected with joy, and an understanding of God’s goodness: and that’s exactly what the Spirit brings about. Enjoy these Scriptures about songs from the Spirit:
…speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord… Ephesians 5:19 NIV
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Colossians 3:16 NIV
As song fills our hearts, they overflow into the lives of those that surround us. See how understanding God’s goodness leads to our singing:
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him. Psalm 40:3
The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy. Psalm 65:8 NIV
Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Psalm 105:2 NIV
I began this writing describing the chaos that filled my mind when I was unable to discern God’s voice. While times still come where I battle confusion, getting to know the character of God has been greatly helpful when it comes to discerning the voice of the Spirit.
As I’ve come to know the voice of the Spirit, I’ve learned just how naturally, organically, and deeply it comes about. He indwells me, after all.
While promptings from the Spirit may be strong and clear at times, they aren’t demanding. No shouting. No forcing. Often, all it takes is a whisper—and a quiet heart to hear.
Practically, as you venture out into life, I pray you’ll be diligent to consecrate your going-abouts by asking the Lord for a keen, listening ear. Asking him to cover your thoughts, words, and speech. He is faithful! Then, stepping forward, peacefully—but actively—aim to attune your heart to Lord’s voice and follow it.
The fun thing you’ll find is that what may start as a barely-discernible whisper becomes much more clear as you are practiced in attuning into it.
We can learn how to tune into the voice of Jesus—his good, kind, freedom-giving, advocating voice. We can follow him in love, and take up our crosses in freedom.
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27 NIV
May we believe in the goodness of God and embrace the song of the Spirit.
I hope this series helped you—from a variety of angles—to cultivate a quiet heart, that you might better understand the most lovely Gospel melody covering your life.
Other Resources
Book “The Song of the King”: If you spend time with children, or want to enjoy a beautiful story as an adult, there is a children’s book called “The Song of the King” which describes three knights having to make their way through a treacherous, deadly forest called Hemlock to win the ultimate prize of marriage to a princess. Some think they’ll get through by their might or agility—but the only one who makes it through alive is the one who has learned to listen for the King’s song ringing out over the land, and follow it, no matter what noises threatened to get in the way.
Kelli Bachara Podcast: If you are interested in an exercise to help you “turn down the noise”, there is an awesome (and short) podcast I’d recommend: I have a friend (that’s generous—but she’s so cool that I’m going to claim this gal I met once or twice as my friend) named Kelli Bachara who has an incredible ministry. She keeps is simple and points people to the goodness of God. She is a licensed therapist who is passionate about people getting to embrace their freedom in Christ.
One time, I was listening to her podcast, and she has listeners do an exercise. When they were confused in a flurry of thoughts, feeling anxious, or overwhelmed, she suggested this exercise. Imagine you’re sitting in a car and the radio static is turned all the way up. It’s loud and intoxicating, and represents the many thoughts that fill our mind. Take the radio dial and slowly turn it down. Go very slow. Keep turning until all that remains is quiet. Then, listen to that still, small voice deep in your heart. Ask yourself what the still small voice is saying.
