Today, something incredible happened—something that left me sitting in awe, with tears in my eyes, realizing I finally got right what I so often got wrong. It started with a simple online comment, one that could have easily turned into a debate. Instead, it became a lesson in humility, grace, and connection.
A commenter and I initially seemed at odds. My interpretation of God’s presence as “divine within” didn’t align with his understanding, and for a moment, we both assumed we were speaking entirely different languages. I felt the familiar tug of frustration, the kind that often clouded conversations I used to have with my dad about God.
But this time was different.
“Is This My Ego or My Spirit?”
Before responding, I paused and asked myself: Is this my ego or my spirit speaking?
Ego wants to defend, to be right, to win the conversation. Spirit, on the other hand, wants to connect, to lead others toward understanding—not necessarily of me, but of God and their own spirit’s truth.
I discerned it was my spirit speaking because, unlike my past conversations with my father, I didn’t feel the need for the other person to agree with me. With my father, we were often saying and believing the same things but through different lenses. I constantly sought his approval and validation, frustrated by my inability to speak his language in a way that bridged our understanding, and that need for approval had always bled into my interactions with others, often leading me to simply outwardly agree and move on, pushing the misunderstanding off my radar.
But that solves nothing. It teaches no one anything—not them, and certainly not me.
Where I find myself now on my journey, my goal wasn’t to convince the other person of my interpretation but to gently guide them toward their own spiritual understanding—one aligned with what God and their spirit were leading them to discover.
This discernment was easier because the other person was also open—genuinely seeking clarity, not confrontation. This kind of openness in conversation is rare in today’s world, where so much of our interaction feeds ego’s desire to be understood. But here, the mutual openness allowed Spirit to guide the exchange, transforming it into a true dialogue instead of a debate.
Because of this, I’ve learned so much—conscious understandings about myself, my relationship with God, and the true goodness of humanity that lies beneath the ego.
How Conversation Becomes a Tool for Discernment
Language can often be a barrier, even when we share the same hearts, beliefs, and intentions. This conversation was a powerful example of that truth. The words we use across belief systems can differ yet carry the same meaning, or they can be identical yet hold entirely different connotations. For example, a phrase like “divine within” might trigger someone with a strict, dogmatic perspective because it’s often associated with a New Age ideology. When biblical foundations aren’t explicitly referenced, we may assume they’re absent—but often, they’re present, just expressed differently.
Quoting Scripture isn’t the only way to reflect biblical truth. Our personal words and interpretations can be just as valid and Spirit-led. By engaging openly and without attachment to the outcome, we were able to move beyond the limitations of words and allow the Spirit to reveal deeper understanding—not just to them, but to me as well. In this particular conversation, once I shared Scripture as my foundation, the other person recognized that the words and their meaning were exactly the same—across Scripture and across our beliefs. Those shared truths created a bridge, allowing us to connect on a deeper level.
In this exchange, it became clear that we were actually on the same page, though our initial language made it seem otherwise. That realization brought me back to my earlier post, where I reflected on how language can limit us. Spirit was showing me again that the divide was not one of faith, but of words—and how easily we let those words keep us from deeper connection.
Spirit’s Perspective vs. My Perspective
Reflecting on this conversation, I saw how Spirit has been leading me lately—not to speak from what I already understand, but from what Spirit wants me (and others) to understand. This moment wasn’t about defending my knowledge; it was about trusting Spirit’s guidance to illuminate what was needed for the other person—and for me.
Romans 8:14 says, “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” This guidance is not about my ego asserting control but about surrendering to the Spirit’s wisdom.
This lesson also reinforced something I’ve been learning: conversations like these are not about pushing someone toward my truth, but creating space for them to discover what God wants them to see. When I trusted the Spirit to lead, I found we were aligned all along.
What This Moment Taught Me About Ego
This conversation reminded me how much of my past struggle in faith discussions was rooted in ego. My ego wanted to be heard, understood, and validated. But ego blinds us to the Spirit’s work, both in us and in others.
James 3:17-18 describes the Spirit’s wisdom perfectly:
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”
When I let go of the need to be “right” and approached the exchange with peace and humility, the Spirit revealed wisdom that went beyond words.
Crossing Back to the First Post
This entire experience tied back to the first post I wrote today, where I shared what Spirit was showing me about the limitations of language and the deeper truths God wants us to grasp. That post wasn’t about what I already understood but about what Spirit was teaching me in the moment.
I now see that same lesson in this interaction: language can divide us if we let it, but when we open ourselves to Spirit, we find unity. This exchange showed me how Spirit wants us to step beyond words and into the shared truth of God’s presence—truth that connects us, transforms us, and guides us into deeper understanding.
As I reflected on this exchange, tears came to my eyes. I realized this was a moment of growth—not just in the conversation, but in my relationship with God.
It hit me: Thank you, God, for this opportunity to check my ego and to finally get right what I so often got wrong. This moment was a blessing, a reminder that faith isn’t about winning arguments but about living in alignment with His will.
Romans 12:2 perfectly captures what I felt in this moment:
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.”
My attitude shifted, and with it, my ability to embrace the good in deep, meaningful exchanges like this one.
The Lesson
This conversation reminded me of the power of humility and the importance of surrendering ego to God. It also showed me how vital it is to trust Him to guide not just my understanding of Scripture, but also my interactions with others.
Language, though powerful, is inherently limited. It’s a human tool, not a divine one. God’s truth transcends words, but if we allow language to divide us, we miss the Spirit’s deeper work. This exchange was a beautiful reminder that when we lead with humility, listen with open hearts, and allow the Spirit to guide us, we can build bridges instead of walls.
To anyone reading this: what conversations in your life have challenged you to let go of ego? How has God shown you the importance of humility in seeking connection over conflict?
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