This is what the Holy Spirit sounds like

“But when you are arrested and stand trial, don’t worry in advance about what to say. Just say what God tells you at that time, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit.” Mark‬ ‭13‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There are several instances in scripture that remind us that the Holy Spirit will speak for us in our time of need.

In the moment of waiting for the Holy Spirit to speak, it’s easy to overthink it and impulsively come up with something to say. We do this when our focus is on ourselves (how silly we must seem standing there with nothing to say). When we focus on man (ourselves or those we’re speaking to), we can get caught up in overthinking it or caving to the flesh and impulsively saying something. 

But if we are listening to the Holy Spirit, our focus is on Him, all on Him – His Word, the Truth, the mercy and love of God, the peace and rest of God. And the purity of the Word starts to flow to us and through us. There’s no pressure to overthink it or contrive something clever to say. The Holy Spirit comes speaking with purpose. There’s intentionality. When we open our mouths, the Word of God cuts through the lies, opening eyes and ears, and He heals. God, the Holy Spirit, is honorable to God, and upholds all of Truth. His Spirit comes loving others (which is not people pleasing and coddling, but saying hard things with love).  

To hear from the Holy Spirit, we need a clear conscience that comes through surrender. That’s what belief does. Belief places all its burdens on the Lord with assurance that He will do what He says He will do, and He will be honored and glorified in it. Whatever that looks like, we must be willing!