Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit after his death, resurrection, and ascension to heaven.
John 14:26But 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.
Matthew 7:7Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
I have heard many people say they have heard from the Holy Spirit. They say things like “I feel the Holy Spirit leading me in this direction…” or other such statements. But many of these people, even pastors come out with statements that are in contradiction with another with the same claim of hearing from God. God never contradicts himself. So someone is mistaken. How can I tell who is really hearing his voice, or how can I know I am hearing the Holy Spirit?
The surest way to know if someone else is really hearing from God: my hearing the same thing from God. For example, while receiving a prophesy from another man’s lips, the Holy Spirit is confirming the truth simultaneously within your own being. And I am not talking about an emotional feeling. I am talking about the unmistakable presence and voice of God. When God visits you, he makes himself known, through no action of your own.
1 Thesselonians 4:8He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
Acts 15:8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
1 Corinthians 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1 Thesselonians 1:5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
Another way to know the truth is to compare it to the Word of God, as recorded in the bible. But the bible is continually mistranslated by men. The Holy Spirit is sent also for the understanding of the scriptures.
Matthew 7:7 (above) states that a person always finds exactly what he is looking for. Each person has to search their own heart to determine their motives. And here is the key: If you are seeking for your own edification, your own glory, or your own preservation, then you are seeking self, and you will never find the Holy Spirit. But if you are truly and totally submitted to the will of God, forsaking yourself, then you are seeking his will, and not your own; you will then find the Holy Spirit. God will not align himself with evil. God will not dwell with evil. Why would he defile himself? If he did, he would be less than perfect.
Luke 12:31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Luke 17:33Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.
John 5:44How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
Acts 17:27That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
2 Corinthians 13 1This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. 2I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare: 3Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you. 4For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you. 5Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
Galations 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seekto please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Phillip 2:21For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.