Did the Holy Spirit warn me?

Last updated on September 24, 2020

Question:

Jeff,

I got to tell you this story. It’s quite quick, but it’s imperative that I let you know for this may leave me with answers. This Sunday, I decided that I was going to stay home after church. I was watching a few videos on YouTube and I got pretty bored afterward. During this time, my dad wasn’t home, so I didn’t have anyone looking over my shoulder. Well, anyway I was watching this movie review on the web when suddenly, I had this quick flash of thought — of course, it was a dirty image — but something scary happened. I got a burning sensation in my heart, almost like butterflies in my stomach. A rush of nervousness hit me and I closed everything out; all tabs and all windows. I quickly shut off my computer and occupied myself with something else.

Either that was the Holy Spirit warning me, or I don’t know. Is this supposed to happen?

Answer:

What you felt was your conscience. “… their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them” (Romans 2:15). Your conscience serves as an early warning system. You listened to it and, thereby, avoided sinning.