Evidence of the Spirit at Work
The Holy Spirit always announces Himself to the human consciousness, and spiritual evidence can be unknown and unsuspected by the individual until others discover it.
A.W. Tozer discusses the undeniable presence of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life, emphasizing that the Spirit always makes His presence known to the individual. He explains that while the workings of the Spirit may often be secret and unnoticed by the person experiencing them, others may recognize the fruits of the Spirit in their character. Tozer highlights the paradox of humility, where a person may feel unworthy or unaware of their own spiritual growth, yet others see the evidence of the Spirit's work in their lives. This sermon encourages believers to trust in the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, even when they may not perceive it themselves.
Text
Someone wrote to me recently asking what I meant by a statement which occurs in the booklet Paths to Power, which I wrote some years ago. The passage reads: "No one was ever filled with the Holy Spirit without knowing it. The Holy Spirit always announces Himself to the human consciousness." What bothered my correspondent was the nature of this "announcement." Of what does it consist? How may we recognize it? Is it some kind of physical evidence, or what?
This whole question is worthy of larger treatment than I can give it in this limited space. But possibly these thoughts will prove helpful to any who may be confused about the nature of spiritual evidence.
There is such a thing as the secret workings of the Spirit in the soul of man, for a time unknown and unsuspected by the individual. In fact, most of the fruits of the Spirit are unsuspected by the man in whom they are found. The most loving, most patient, most compassionate soul is unlikely to be aware of these graces. He is almost certain to believe that he is anything but loving or patient or kind. Others will discover the operations of the Spirit within him long before he will and will thank God for his sweet Christian character while he may at the same time be walking in great humility before God, mourning the absence of the very graces that others know he possesses.
Sermon Outline
- The Nature of Spiritual Evidence
- The Fruits of the Spirit
- The Importance of Humility
- Walking in humility before God is essential
- Mourning the absence of the very graces that others know we possess is a sign of humility
Key Quotes
“No one was ever filled with the Holy Spirit without knowing it.” — A.W. Tozer
“The Holy Spirit always announces Himself to the human consciousness.” — A.W. Tozer
“The most loving, most patient, most compassionate soul is unlikely to be aware of these graces.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We must walk in humility before God and recognize the fruits of the Spirit in others before we will recognize them in ourselves.
- Spiritual evidence can be unknown and unsuspected by the individual, so we must be patient and trust in the Holy Spirit's work in our lives.
- Humility is essential in recognizing spiritual evidence and growing in our Christian character.