Not that I like posting topics about religion, or any kind of controversy here cause there is pretty much no respect shown to Christians here outside thenumberone's posts and a few others. I am interested in feedback enough to make this one.

What do you say about Holy Spirit theology?

So to speak, the idea of God speaking into your mind directly, or through nudges, or . . . whatever.

Now. . . I've had a few experiences, but I've also heard other's, sometimes on TV. But what get's me is this.


The Theology often comes directly against what other people claim "God told them."

Other then that, I'm a hard proven man. I need, real, hard, hard-CORE evidence to believe something.


Don't recommend me any books, I don't have time for those, and I won't want to read opinions that are longer than 3 pages. That's why I'm coming here.

I have to say that it is some of the worst taught subjects out there, and it kindof takes advantage of the whole "If you're not heeding the voice of the Holy Spirit, then you're disobeying God's voice!"

People talk about what "God told them." But how can I know for sure? And it's not that I think that that person is lying, it's just that they might have THOUGHT they heard God, but it was just their subconscious. I mean, what if people want to imagine God's talking to them, and all of the sudden, a random generated thought, (created by your own subconscious) enters your head.

Plus, some people say that evil spirits will try to whisper false words into your mind to mislead you- I hate that, and might actually believe it due to a few accounts that I've had.


On the other hand, some more famous preachers would not be preachers today if it were not for divine miracles happening that made it possible for them to get into the ministry. Often their story has a point where God told them to do something, and they did it.

Seems ridiculous that it's just a coincidence to me though.

On the other hand. 90% of all TV preachers have it messed up somewhere along the lines in their theology. Even in pretty important issues. Yet on the other hand, name someone who isn't.


I just hate the idea of. "Oh, God told me. . . ." Cause how can you prove it? See if something happens after you obey the voice? What if things only go right for a time? Where you supposed to get more instructions? What if "God" asks you to do something really crazy? Or even forsake the Gospels?

What if you became like someone who believed that he was the incarnation of Jesus?

In the end, the best answer I could come up with is this:


"If you think that you hear God's voice, first make sure what "He" is asking you to do, is doctrinal. If it is, then do it."


BUT.

What if it's a really stupid thing, like, "Leave a quarter behind the fridge."


And then you hear it again and your friends house.

And your grandmas.

Oh, now leave 50$ near you grandpa Jake's motorcycle.


I mean. Seriously. Yet, God seems to like to test people by making them do unreasonable things, but at least these stories that pastors have weren't outright crazy. Just The holy spirit saying "Go here tomorrow, and you'll meet someone." Or something like that.

And what if you do it and nothing happens?

Yep. You're crazy. Worse if people, or family knows. Then you look like a real fool.


I'm just too logical to live this way. People say, "Have faith". Faith is putting action into what you believe in the original Hebrew. There is no such command to believe without evidence in one way or another. If that were true we'd be stripped broke of con artists and the unwisest religious people on the face of the earth. Their emotions always being tugged on. "Oh, it's God! Don't deny the holy spirit!" Oh wait. We give money to jobless people on the street because, "God whispered to me to do it in my ear."


Thankfully, I've had a few experiences where wiser people stopped me, by telling me about what they read in the Bible that seemed to suggest otherwise. I'm glad that one guy told me about a few passages that spoke against what I was trying to push for even though I felt like God wanted me to do it, and I believe that he stopped quite a bit of chaos.

Having tried it before I've knocked it, I'm convinced that for the most part, Holy Spirit theology isn't something that you can count on, and the enemy uses to drive people crazy and make them confused.

As of such, I never to by "A hunch between my shoulders" And am sick of pastors on TV trying to make people guilty and listen to "Him" Maybe God will talk to me someday, and maybe He does talk to people, I know that he has a few time to me, but not as many times as it might have appeared at first.

Oftentimes, you'll never know until a long period afterward. And is it worth the risk?

Probably not, since our subconscious is very cunning, and may actually have thought up a logical way to get from point A to point B that our normal mind doesn't quite see. So even a "positive" test is just to finicky.

I'm eccentric, I know I am and won't deny it. I have to test everything, and so I had to give this a try, now that I have and have gotten negative results. (multiple times) I think it's safe to say no to the whole idea.

God wrote us a letter. The Bible. Once we read that we can try to listen to him by phone.

Sword legion : I have said this before. When we look at who we are, we can see more of who GOD is; after all we were created in GOD's likeness. The human being is composed of the body, soul, and spirit. All our dimensions are tied into one. GOD is also in a similar manner, body soul and spirit. GOD the Father would most likely be related to the sould, GOD the Son, obviously the body, and the HOLY SPIRIT is the Spirit. The HOLY SPIRIT is the "Helper" that JESUS referred to before HE ascended up to heaven. I would not worry about the contradictions of people who claim to have heard from GOD. First off, GOD will direct different people in different ways. For instance, the same GOD that said thou shalt not kill is the same one who wanted HIS people to kill all the caananites when they went to take the promised land so that HIS people would not be corrupted by all the worldly influences around them. In a like manner this in no way implies that we should go around killing everyone who does not believe in GOD. Secondly, people get thoughts inside their head and then just claim that GOD told them that. Obviously, it can be hard to distinguish what is from GOD and what is not. That is why we need discernment and wisdom and judgment. That is why we need to pray and read HIS WORD. We need to check people's statements about GOD against GOD's statements about HIMSELF. I'm not very good at offering hard evidence or even decent logic. What I do is tell people the little that I do know, and I always try to find out more. The HOLY SPIRIT is the Spirit of GOD, unlike our spirit, it is not attached to the body. GOD is much more free than we are. The HOLY SPIRIT is GOD's MESSENGER to HIS servants, and usually comes in little promptings or light "whispers" This is found in Kings, during the story of Elijah, when he was throwing himself a little pity party. There was a fire, but that wasn't GOD, there  appeared an earthquake that shook the earth, but GOD did not speak in that either. I think that there was also a whirlwind, but I am not sure on that. Then came the light still voice. THAT is how HE chose to speak. GOD has manifested HIMSELF in different ways to different people, depending on how HE knows is best to reach that particular person. The thing for us is to always be listening for when HE calls us--whether it be in a loud voice or a quiet one. Whether it takes an earthquake to get your attention or whether you could hear HIS whisper...that is up to us and whether we deem the GOD of this universe and beyond worthy to be trying to listen to.

FaithFighter : That was awesome, couldn't have said it better myself .

FaithFighter :

He's worth listening too.

It's just when I am caused emotional turmoil and get depressed for days at a time that I hate it.

I've literally asked for signs, which were fulfilled, then I go to tell my friend what we need to do, and he just says. "Funny, I was just reading in the Bible against this."


Then I get a sign fulfilled instructing me to not do something.


I can hardly stand it. I have never been depressed as much as I have over this "Holy Spirit" cuase it seems to play on my weaknesses like wanting a girl. I think that what you have posted would be the proper way to go about it. As for me, if something does seem to be God talking to me, then I'll flip a coin 50 times and ask for it to land 50 times heads side up.

Knowing my luck, I'll probably receive a nudge to go run out in front of a bus, the coin test will come out 50 times positive, and then at my funeral the pastor will be sharing a verse he felt led by God to speak talking about fools.

[HEFTY INTRO ALERT]  
This seem to be one of those threads (and the replies that goes along with it) where a lot of opinions and emotions are being thrown into the mix which can turn it into a very confusing blend very quickly.  Why? Because opinions, while not at all a bad thing to have, doesn't necessarily reflect the truth and emotions, well, emotions are very fickle.  The reason why I am responding to this thread is not because I'm on a mission to play Bible police and taking on a "holier than thou" attitude. I'm no better than anyone else and I've screwed up many times in my life and I still do, but as a reborn, Bible believing Christian, if I see that something does not line up with God's Word, I have to question it and call it out, especially on subjects regarding the Holy Trinity - in this case, the Holy Spirit.  I would expect my Christian brothers and sisters do the same for me.  We as Christians (while others might scoff at this) have THE truth to stand on - The Bible. God's Word. The standard to which we should live our lives and it's with this in mind that I reply to biblical subjects.  Not my opinion.  Not because of hearsay, but because of the solid foundation and truth that is God's Word that even He esteems higher than His own Name:
I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your Name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your Name. (Psalm 138:2)
So if I reply to and point something out in your post, I'm not criticizing. Please.  I'm comparing it with the only truth that is God's Word and because there might be young Christians here that's new to certain Christian and Biblical concepts, some things can get confusing if a lot of thoughts are being thrown around and unbiblical resources are being quoted or used.  I will attempt to, by using the Bible and trusted biblical resources, draw the skew things back to a simple straight line.  So here goes.

Sincerely_Chris :  I'm kind of working backwards here, but the reason why I'm replying to your post first is because I saw the name Benny Hinn.  A sincere warning.  Anything associated with Mr. Hinn should be avoided.  He is a wolf in sheep clothing, a false teacher of note, but do not take my word for it.  I've posted a couple of links below for you to have a look at and you can decide for yourself.  The first link especially is very relevant to this thread and I would encourage all Christians that read this to have a look at it.

http://www.blogos.org/keepwatch/signs-and-wonders.html  
http://www.compellingtruth.org/little-gods.html  (One of Benny Hinn's main false doctrines)

"Seriously, I hear Him in TV Shows, Movies (Go watch the Matrix sometime with an open mind to what God has to say)"

For the record, I absolutely loved the Matrix.  I watched it again, years later after my life changed (again) but this time it was different.  I switched it off and got rid of it the first instance they blasphemed God's Name with the ever so popular "OMG" phrase.  We are paying Hollywood to mock God, so although I have no doubt that God can use different media to speak to us, I doubt that He will use a movie where His Name is blasphemed.  We have to be very careful when making such claims as hearing God through a movie or TV show especially when it comes from the likes of Hollywood.  If it does not line up with God's Word, do not give it your attention for a single second.  God will never contradict His own word.

"God will ALWAYS be encouraging. When you hear him, even if it's Him disciplining you for a decision, you will feel better about yourself and the situation that He may be talking to you about. The Enemy will ALWAYS be discouraging. He's a manipulative little guy who will make you feel like poop in the end. Then there's you. And honestly the only way to know if it's you is if you know yourself."

I agree with this.  God will encourage, but sometimes like a good father, He has to discipline his child if he/she has gone astray and although it might be "painful" at the time, it is for our own good to keep us from harm and necessary to grow us in our faith.

Walking into the store I picked up several fruits and vegetables as well as some two large things of water, before bringing them all out and giving them to him.

This is awesome.  I wish more of us would put feet to our faith.  I would like to encourage / challenge you even further.  Next time you feel it on your heart to give a homeless person something, give him / her the gospel as well or if you do not have the courage to do that yet, give a
tract if the person can read.  Bread and water will only satisfy temporary, but giving him the Good News is everlasting.  It is the power of God unto salvation.

Sword legion :  What do you say about Holy Spirit theology?

Before one can answer that, you need to understand who the Holy Spirit is by firstly understanding who He isn't.  He is not just an "experience" or an impersonal force.  The Bible makes it clear that the Holy Spirit is God. We can determine that the Holy Spirit is God in the following ways:
1. He is called God.
2. He is treated on an equal basis with God
the Father and God the Son.
3. He has the characteristics of God.
4. He does the work of God.

The primary reason we believe the Holy Spirit to be God is because the scripture clearly affirms this. In the second verse of the Bible He is called the Spirit of God: Sincerely_Chris has already quoted this verse: The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters(Genesis 1:2) and
The Bible designates the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of the Lord God: "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me" (Isaiah 61:1)

The Holy Spirit is not only called God, He is also associated on an equal basis with the two other members of the Godhead,
the Father and the Son. Jesus said:
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).

Some biblical attributes of the Holy Spirit belong to God alone:
-The Holy Spirit is everywhere present (Psalm 139:7)
-He is all-knowing (1 Corinthians 2:10,11)
-He is called the Eternal Spirit (Hebrews 9:14)
-He performs the work of God (Genesis 1:2 and Job 33:4)
-He inspired the Bible (2 Peter 1:20,21)

This is just further confirmation that the Holy Spirit IS God.  

So back to your question - What about Holy Spirit theology?  If you have truly surrendered your life to Jesus Christ, you will be filled with His Spirit.  Yes, the Holy Spirit.  You will be "born again".  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17).  Your life will be completely different.  The way you have seen things will be different.  The Bible will come "alive" to you as God through His Spirit will reveal things to you that you always just skipped over.  You would actually WANT to read your Bible and pray.  You would WANT to spend time with God and this "Holy Spirit theology" will not be a problem and a "burden" to you at all.  You see, God speaks to us, but it can always be confirmed by scripture.  If you doubt, ask God to give you
confirmation through His Word, since His word is steadfast and it doesn't change.  The only thing that will keep you from truly hearing God's voice is first of all - and this goes without saying - making sure that you are in fact saved.  That you have repented of your sin and accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. If you have truly given your heart and life to Christ are you truly living a surrendered life unto Him or is there still some sin in your life?  Yes, Christians do still sin.  We are still bound to this sinful, earthly body.  You see it is sin that keeps us
from hearing God’s voice.  I can testify of this.  It is sin that separates us from Him.  I can’t tell you what it is, but deep down you know what it is.  

I don’t know if any of this makes sense to you.  It just seems to me that you are trying too hard.  You are trying a “formula” for hearing God’s voice in your life.  God does not work that way.  He is not bound to our time, laws, demands.  He is God.  Not some Genie in a bottle to grant you 3 wishes and that operates on a flick of a coin.  I’m going end off by quoting Sincerely_Chris if it’s okay, since I believe this is the best advice, ”if you really want to know if this is even real, then the best thing to do is to go back to the Word...”