The Silence of the Holy Spirit

What happens when we don’t see or feel the Holy Spirit working in our lives? How does it impact our walk with God when we hear disturbingly loud silence from the Holy Spirit?

Some might begin to feel discouraged. Some might feel like they aren’t “spiritual enough” and therefore they can’t sense the Holy Spirit’s presence. Others might begin to doubt or question their faith.

Even if we cognitively know the Holy Spirit, if our experience doesn’t align with that knowledge, our confidence in our understanding can unravel a bit if we let it.

Whenever I wrestle with a theological issue like this, I always find it helpful to go back to the fundamentals. By going back to the basics, I confirm the foundations upon which my spiritual house is built.

If you study the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament, you’ll find that He is present at specific times for specific purposes. Here is an example from Numbers 11:24-26:

²⁴ So Moses went out and told the people what the Lord had said. He brought together seventy of their elders and had them stand around the tent. ²⁵ Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke with him, and he took some of the power of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied—but did not do so again.

²⁶ However, two men, whose names were Eldad and Medad, had remained in the camp. They were listed among the elders, but did not go out to the tent. Yet the Spirit also rested on them, and they prophesied in the camp.

The elders were able to prophesy when “the Spirit rested on them.” You’ll notice that it’s not an indwelling of the Spirit, but a resting on. The use of the power of the Holy Spirit seems more temporary in the Old Testament than it does in the New Testament.

In the New Testament, we see a beautiful image of the Holy Spirit descending on Jesus like a dove at His baptism (see Mark 1:10).

In Acts, we read that “what seemed to be tongues of fire” came and “rested on” the apostles. So we see the Old Testament terminology carry through to the New Testament, but it goes on to say in Acts 2:4 that “All of them were FILLED with the Holy Spirit…” (emphasis mine). They “began to speak in other tongues (languages) as the Spirit enabled them.”

I think the key phrase here is “as the Spirit enabled them.” The Holy Spirit is like an empowering agent of the Trinity. He is the One who enables and even compels us to do things.

One time I was on a plane from Costa Rica to Los Angeles and I was chatting away with the passenger next to me. For some reason, I was reluctant to tell him what I did for a living. Normally I told people quite readily.

Before long it was as if the Holy Spirit came up behind me and admonished me with a hearty clap on the back as if to make me spit out the words, “I’m a missionary.”

Now, I don’t have experiences like that all the time. I have maybe a handful or two of stories in my whole life where I firmly believe the Holy Spirit was behind (in) something I did or said. It was so clear that the idea I had, or the words I said, or the actions I took did not come from me, but from the Holy Spirit.

When I think about each of those instances, the common denominator was God’s will being accomplished. It was something He wanted to say to me or through me. It was something He wanted to teach me and/or someone else around me.

In a similar way, God used the Holy Spirit to send a life and culture-changing message through Peter to Cornelius in the book of Acts. Peter had just seen a vision and was wondering what it meant. God sent the Holy Spirit to help him understand:

¹⁷ While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. ¹⁸ They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.

¹⁹ While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three^[a] men are looking for you. ²⁰ So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.” (Acts 10:17-20)

If you continue reading in chapter 10, it goes on to say, “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The Circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles.” (Acts 10:41-45)

The Holy Spirit continues to be active in the lives of believers today, even if at times, you only hear silence.

Silence does not mean absence.

Silence does not mean idleness.

Our ability to see or feel the Holy Spirit at work isn’t necessarily about us being “spiritual enough,” but there is an element of us remaining faithful. When we are faithful to be in God’s Word, and faithful to live out God’s will for our lives, at some point along the way, we are going to see the Holy Spirit in action.

He works in us and through us, even in spite of us.

If you are longing to see and feel the Holy Spirit’s work in your life, ask Him. Ask Him to show Himself. Ask Him to open your eyes to see. And if it doesn’t happen right away, wait. Be faithful. Allow God to work in His timing and in His way for His glory.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the power and work of the Holy Spirit. Please comment below.

In the meantime, as we remain faithful, possibly in the midst of silence, let us go be radiant this week.