Can You Hear the Holy Spirit?

Do you want to hear the Holy Spirit? Some would tell you to read the Bible and listen for the Holy Spirit to tell you something.

I would like to suggest that if you want to hear the Holy Spirit, stop listening and read the words on the page. The Holy Spirit already spoke and the results are right there in front of you.  You just have to read it.  Here is how we know this:

And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:19-21 ESV)

Here are a few things we know from this passage:

1. The Scriptures are to be viewed as more reliable than sensory or subjective experiences. 
2. The Scriptures are not therefore subject to the accusation that someone just made them up (unlike subjective Holy Spirit whispers or impressions in your head). 
3. The Holy Spirit spoke via the prophets.
4. The product of that speaking was the written word of God--the Scriptures. 

The Holy Spirit is not going to tell you something different than what he told the prophets. Therefore, if you want to know what the Holy Spirit is saying, read what he wrote.