There are several ways to describe the experience of hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit. In my experience, it’s not always a subtle voice. Sometimes, it’s a feeling so strong, it demands your attention. Here are a few ways the Holy Spirit may lead:
Intuition – Intuition is an inner sense or understanding without conscious reasoning. It’s that moment when “you just know”. This past January, I told my wife to brace herself because I felt like a shift was coming. My mind had no idea what I was talking about, but my intuition told me that something major was on the horizon. The feeling was so strong that I shared it with her, wanting her to be prepared. As the feeling persisted, I also shared it with close friends, letting them know that change was coming. In hindsight, I might have used the wrong word back then. I said “shift,” but I think the word I should’ve used was “flip”, because our lives were flipped upside down—in the best way possible. Out of nowhere, an opportunity came to pursue a long-held desire. This is an example of intuition, or as I like to say, the Holy Spirit speaking to me.
Instinct – Another word I use to describe the voice of the Holy Spirit is instinct. It’s a natural, automatic response or feeling about something. Notice the word “feeling”. Yes, the Holy Spirit speaks to us through our feelings. In my experience, His voice through my feelings has often been subtle, but that doesn’t mean it’s the same for everyone. I compare instinct to the way ducks and geese know when to migrate south. One day, they just know it’s time. That in itself is a miracle. Similarly, instinct has led me to do things like visit a place that wasn’t on my agenda, call someone, encourage a friend, give to someone in need, or simply pray—all because I sensed it was time. I can’t always explain it, but I’ve learned to obey that particular feeling.
Premonition – Premonition is a feeling that something, often negative, is going to occur. Just the other day, I had a family member on my mind all day long. I couldn’t shake the thought of him, but I had no idea why. I didn’t have a bad feeling, but I didn’t have a good one either. Something felt off. I didn’t mention it to anyone, but I knew I needed to pray. The next day, I found out he had been admitted to the hospital with a bleeding ulcer.
The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit will show us things to come. He communicates in many different ways, but this was an example of how a premonition made me aware of something happening. Premonition is also important when you meet someone for the first time. How many times have you heard someone say, “I knew I shouldn’t have gotten involved with them, but I ignored my gut”! Premonition is a warning, and it often comes and goes quickly. You don’t need to speak about it, but it’s important to act on it and create distance if necessary.
However, premonition is not the same as just disliking someone. Studies show we naturally don’t take to 25% of the people we meet because they remind us of someone from our past. That’s a psychological issue, not premonition. Once again, notice that premonition is a feeling. Part of my work involves helping people get in touch with their feelings, because without that connection, it’s nearly impossible to be fully led by the Holy Spirit. That statement may upset some, but it is what it is.
Many preachers teach that we shouldn’t rely on our feelings, and instead, we should walk by faith alone. I agree—there are times when we must set our feelings aside and walk by faith. But that doesn’t mean we should ignore our feelings all the time. When our feelings contradict the Word of God, yes, we need to push them aside. But in other situations, we need to pay close attention to them if we are to be led by the Holy Spirit. I’ve heard Christians say, “We don’t walk by feelings; we walk by faith”. Yet, these same people leave a church service and say, “Wow, I really felt God’s presence today”, or “There was no anointing today—I didn’t feel His presence”. Notice the word “feel” in both statements. So, are we going by our feelings, or are we not?
I hope these points help you become more aware of how the Holy Spirit is constantly speaking to you. As we grow together, I’ll continue teaching on this next week.
In closing, the Holy Spirit’s voice may come as a whisper, a nudge, or even an unshakable feeling. But regardless of how He speaks, our responsibility is to stay attuned. It requires sensitivity, openness, and a willingness to listen—not just with our ears, but with our hearts. Learning to trust those inner promptings can transform how we live and interact with the world around us. Don’t disregard that small voice or the subtle feeling inside—it could very well be the Holy Spirit guiding you to your next step. Let’s continue to grow in awareness, together.
