How can you know that the Holy Spirit works in you?
We must first realize that to have the Holy Spirit working in a person, that person must know the Lord Jesus Christ as his savior. We read in Romans 8:14, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” So, it is the sons and daughters of God that the Spirit leads. We also know from the Word of God, that all believers are indwelt by the Spirit of God, as we read in Romans 8:9, “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”
Although all believers are INDWELT with the Spirit, not all believers are FILLED with the Spirit. We are instructed to be filled with the Spirit. Let’s read Ephesians 5:18-21, “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” We are told here that we should not be controlled by wine, but rather be controlled by the Holy Spirit by being filled. To be filled with the Spirit means that we must empty ourselves of our own will and desires, and allow the Spirit to lead us. The Lord Jesus said in Luke 9:23, “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, LET HIM DENY HIMSELF, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” In the above verses, we read three indications that we are filled and being led by the Holy Spirit. A Spirit filled believer will BE JOYFUL (verse 19), BE THANKFUL (verse 20), and BE HUMBLE (verse 21).
Those who are led of the Holy Spirit will have the ability to study and understand the scriptures. The Lord Jesus said in John 14:26, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, HE SHALL TEACH YOU ALL THINGS, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” The Lord desires that we learn of Him. He said in John 5:39, “Search the scriptures…they are they which testify of me.” He WANTS to teach us. When we submit ourselves to the leading of the Spirit of God, He will open our understanding and teach us precious truths concerning Himself.
Let’s turn to Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” When we are led of the Holy Spirit, this nine-fold fruit of the Spirit will be evident in our lives. Those who see us, will see these characteristics of the Holy Spirit in us. The Spirit not only teaches us, He also gives us the ability to live lives that reflect the life of Christ and honor Him in the world.
One more indication of being led by the Spirit will be the desire for the return of the Lord. We read in Revelation 22:17, “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” We see here that the Spirit and the bride of Christ are in agreement in their desire for the return of the Lord. If we long for the Lord’s return, if we wait patiently for Him, realizing His return could occur at any moment; that is a sure indication that the Spirit of God is working in our lives, drawing out our hearts with a longing to see Him and be with Him. (226.10)