Over the past several years, I’ve enjoyed the growing fluency in the language of emotion. Feelings wheels were used in a web design sprint I was involved in. Therapeutic language is more commonplace, for both good and bad. But this all is a vocabulary to help us name our experiences and emotion with nuance and depth.
I used to joke that I only had four emotions—happy, mad, sad, and hungry—but God has graciously expanded that interior life and vocabulary. I’m grateful for the ways emotional language has helped me understand what’s going on inside and communicate it more clearly to others…especially my wife!
But here’s the thing I’ve been reflecting on lately: as fluent as many of us have become in expressing emotions, how limited have we become in expressing the Word of God? How hesitant are we to say, “I think the Spirit is prompting this”?
A feelings wheel may help with awareness and empathy. But it’s the Word of God, empowered by the Spirit of God, that gives life, truth, and hope—and actually leads to change.
Sons Who Obey: Romans 8 and the Spirit’s Role
Romans 8:12–17 struck me again recently.
Paul doesn’t just say, “stop sinning.” He roots obedience in identity. We’re not debtors to the flesh—we don’t owe sin anything. Instead, we put to death the deeds of the body by the Spirit. That phrase matters. The Spirit is not optional in sanctification. He is essential.
“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” (Romans 8:14)
There it is. Sonship and obedience are inseparably linked. But the link between them is the Spirit.
We do not obey to become sons—we obey because we are sons. And the Spirit who leads us into holiness also assures us of our belonging. He doesn’t lead with fear or guilt. He leads with love and identity.
In other words, obedience is not performance. It’s participation in the family life of God.
The Helper and the Commands: John 14
Jesus says something similar in John 14:
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)
But He doesn’t leave it there. He immediately adds:
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever… the Spirit of truth.” (John 14:16–17)
Obedience and love go together—but so do love and help. Jesus doesn’t expect unaided effort. He gives us the Spirit. And He calls Him the Helper, not the Taskmaster. The Spirit empowers love that obeys. He brings truth. He dwells with us. He is in us.
So why are we so hesitant to speak of Him?
Why We Hold Back
In my own community in Austin, I’ve seen a pattern—one that I’ve also lived. There’s a comfort with quoting others like pastors, theologians, or popular figures, but discomfort with saying, “I think the Spirit may be prompting this.”
People seem to worry about being mistaken. We don’t want to sound weird or presumptuous. And we certainly don’t want to speak for God.
And that’s not all bad. I often say, “This isn’t the Holy Spirit—just the wisdom of Todd.” Or, “I think this might be the Spirit.” That kind of speech is about self-awareness and humility.
But often, silence isn’t.
Caution has crept into hesitation. And hesitation has led to a kind of “spiritual muteness.” I’m thinking we’ve become fluent in feelings but quiet about the Spirit. Even when the conversation is with another believer—someone who has the Spirit—we sometimes hold back the very thing that might build up, convict, or comfort. We’re happy to share feelings, but reticent to speak according to the Spirit who dwells in us.
The Kingdom Language of the Spirit
Paul says the world can’t receive the Spirit (John 14:17).
It shouldn’t surprise us when our Spirit-led convictions sound strange to the culture. But in the kingdom? Spirit-language should be native.
Sharing a Scripture the Spirit brought to mind.
Speaking a word of encouragement.
Naming a conviction.
Offering insight that doesn’t come from us, but from Him.
This is how we walk together in Christ! A community led by the Spirit is not one marked by chaos or arrogance. It’s marked by humility, clarity, and power. And it’s how we actually obey—not as spiritual achievers, but as beloved sons and daughters.
Speak the Word, Follow the Spirit
So here’s what I’m practicing and trying to grow in:
- I want to speak Scripture more freely in conversation—not just truth distilled through others, but the Word itself. My friend Tyler does this so well and I am encouraged often by his example!
- I want to name promptings of the Spirit—tentatively when needed, boldly when clear. The Spirit still speaks, and I want to be more attentive of His words and comfortable saying so!
- I want to grow more fluent in the language of the Spirit, not just the language of feelings. I may not have the gift of tongues or speak in angelic language, but I want my speech to be seasoned with salt and give grace to those who hear!
Let’s not silence the Helper. Let’s trust that the Spirit who leads us also speaks through us. And finally, let’s remember: obedience isn’t pressure—it’s the privilege of those who call God “Father.”
Leave a Reply