There’s something inside all of us that wants to see something. A nudge. A sign. A confirmation. Something to let us know God is paying attention — and that we’re on the right track.
But signs can be dangerous things when we’re not grounded in the Word.
Because the truth is, without Scripture shaping our hearts, we’ll almost always interpret the world through our own desires. We won’t see God’s will — we’ll see our will reflected back at us.
We don’t need to chase signs.
We need to pursue Jesus.
And the Spirit was sent to lead us there — not through emotional guesswork, but through divine reminders.
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
— John 14:26
That’s it right there.
If we want to recognize the Spirit’s voice — if we want to be people who can discern God’s leading — we have to start with what Jesus said.
And what He said is recorded in Scripture.
The Spirit Doesn’t Improvise — He Reminds
The Holy Spirit doesn’t freelance.
He doesn’t speak randomly or contradict Jesus.
He reminds us of what Jesus already said.
And here’s the challenge for us:
If we don’t know what Jesus said, we won’t recognize the Spirit’s voice when He’s trying to remind us.
If you’re not in the Word, the Spirit has nothing to remind you of.
Why Some Signs Can’t Be Trusted
When people chase signs without anchoring themselves in Scripture, here’s what happens:
- They start looking for meaning in everything — and they almost always find what they want.
- They begin to feel spiritual without actually being obedient.
- They stop trusting God’s revealed truth and start chasing feelings, impressions, and coincidences.
That’s not faith. That’s projection.
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”
— Jeremiah 17:9
That’s why the Word must be our filter, and mature community must be our guide.
For New Believers (and Longtime Believers Who’ve Never Been in the Word)
If you’re just starting out, or even if you’ve been a Christian for years but haven’t been in the Word — this is the call:
Don’t chase signs to feel close to God.
Chase Scripture so you can recognize when He’s already near.
Start simple. Ask older believers to walk with you.
The Bible says:
“Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.”
— Proverbs 11:14
Don’t navigate your faith alone. God gives us the body of Christ — brothers and elders — to help us test what we see, hear, and feel.
“Test the spirits to see whether they are from God.”
— 1 John 4:1
Signs can mislead if you’re walking alone.
But when you’re anchored in Scripture and surrounded by godly counsel, God often speaks clearly through the wisdom of others.
False Signs Often Point to Flashy Things
Let’s be honest: the “signs” we like tend to point toward what we already want.
- Success.
- Comfort.
- Approval.
- Money.
- Favor in the eyes of others.
But Jesus warned us against equating God’s blessing with worldly dressing.
“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.”
— Matthew 6:28–29
We don’t need to be dressed in gold.
We don’t need million-dollar confirmation.
We need daily manna, not luxury buffets.
When God speaks, it usually isn’t to tell us we’ll have more.
It’s to remind us we already have enough — because we have Him.
Want to Hear God? Read What He Already Said
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”
— John 10:27
You want to recognize His voice? Then get familiar with how He sounds.
How He moves.
What He values.
What He blesses and what He warns against.
That’s what Scripture gives us: not just commands, but a deep familiarity with the tone of the Shepherd.
Practical Steps for the Week
1. Replace Sign-Chasing With Scripture-Soaking
Before you look for confirmation in your circumstances, ask:
“Have I sought clarity in the Word?”
Start with the Gospels. Let the words of Jesus reshape your instincts.
2. Ask the Spirit to Remind You
Each day, pray:
“Holy Spirit, remind me of what Jesus said. Speak to me through His Word today.”
3. Filter Every ‘Sign’ Through the Word and Community
If something feels like a sign — a moment, a thought, a feeling — pause and ask:
“Does this align with Scripture? Does it reflect Jesus’s character? Would mature believers confirm this?”
4. Seek Counsel
Don’t walk this alone. Invite input from godly men who are rooted in the Word. Let their discernment sharpen yours.
Reflection Questions
- Have I ever mistaken my own desire for God’s direction? What helped me see the difference?
- Am I seeking God’s voice primarily through signs — or through His Word?
- How have I seen God provide in unexpected, simple, or humble ways this week?
- Who are the trusted brothers I can bring into my discernment process when I think I’ve seen a sign?
When you’re hungry for God to speak, remember this:
The Spirit will remind you —
But only if there’s something in you to remind.
So fill your heart with Scripture.
Walk closely with godly men.
And let the voice of Jesus — not the voice of your desire — shape the path you take.
Breakwater Blessings 
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