Many people want to be led by God, but they’re unsure what that looks like in everyday moments—especially in conversations, conflict, and decisions. If you’re new to church or still learning how the Holy Spirit works, Pastor Scott’s picture of a dove can help you put language to something you may already sense: God often guides gently, not forcefully. In Athens, Georgia, it’s easy to fill winter months with noise, hurry, and opinions—yet the sermon challenged us to slow down and become more responsive to the Holy Spirit. This post extends that message by unpacking the “dove vs pigeon Holy Spirit sensitivity” idea in simple terms, showing why it matters, what can get in the way, and how to practice a Spirit-sensitive life without getting weird, vague, or performative.
The Essentials: Dove-Like Sensitivity in Daily Life
- Spirit-sensitivity means learning to recognize the Holy Spirit’s guidance and responding with obedience and humility.
- The “dove” picture highlights peace, purity, and gentleness —not weakness, but controlled strength.
- Pastor Scott emphasized: “Sensitivity has nothing to do with weakness. It has everything to do with appropriately responding in every situation.”
- Your words and reactions matter because Scripture warns we can grieve the Holy Spirit (see Ephesians 4:29; Ephesians 4:30).
- Growing in this relationship is less about hype and more about consistent attention : rejoicing, praying, giving thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18).
Understanding the Dove Image in Luke 3:21–22
Pastor Scott pointed to Luke 3:21–22, where the Holy Spirit descends on Jesus “in bodily form like a dove.” The Bible isn’t saying the Holy Spirit is a dove; it’s giving a picture—something our human minds can grasp. In the sermon series, we learned Scripture uses multiple images (wind, water, oil, fruit), and the dove image especially emphasizes sensitivity .
So what is “Spirit-sensitivity” in plain language? It’s the ability to notice the Holy Spirit’s prompting—often subtle—and respond in a way that matches God’s heart. Pastor Scott said, “The most important relationship in any of our lives is our relationship with the Holy Spirit.” If that’s true, then learning how to respond to Him isn’t an optional “advanced Christianity” topic; it’s foundational.
The sermon’s “pigeon vs. dove” contrast is a practical mirror. A pigeon mindset can look like reacting fast, pecking at issues, escalating conflict, or living off whatever is loudest in the moment. A dove-like life looks like peace, restraint, and faithfulness—choosing responses that line up with love.
The Real-Life Impact of Ignoring the Holy Spirit’s Prompting
This teaching isn’t just about having a meaningful worship experience—it affects what your life feels like Monday through Saturday. When we ignore the Holy Spirit’s nudges, the cost often shows up in everyday places: strained relationships, regretful words, repeated patterns, and a faith that feels distant or theoretical.
Pastor Scott emphasized that the Holy Spirit is not a “side relationship” but the active agent of heaven in a believer’s life. He also said, “Your relationship with the Holy Spirit is the only thing that governs how bright our lights shine in the world.” That’s a high-stakes idea: our responsiveness affects our witness, our peace, and the way we treat people made in God’s image.
Two sermon scriptures make the stakes concrete:
- Ephesians 4:29 connects spiritual maturity to speech—words can build up or tear down.
- Ephesians 4:30 warns that our choices can “grieve” the Holy Spirit—meaning our relationship can be strained by patterns like bitterness, careless talk, and unforgiveness.
In other words, Spirit-sensitivity isn’t mystical. It’s intensely practical: it changes how you respond when you’re annoyed, corrected, disappointed, or tempted to clap back.
Common Missteps That Push You Toward “Pigeon” Reactions
- Confusing sensitivity with weakness — Pastor Scott challenged this directly; sensitivity is about the right response, not a timid one.
- Letting “unwholesome talk” slide — Ephesians 4:29 isn’t only about profanity; it includes speech that tears down, shames, or stirs chaos.
- Reacting before praying — if prayer is only a last resort, your reactions will often lead your life.
- Collecting offenses — keeping a mental list of wrongs makes it harder to overlook offenses and extend grace.
- Assuming the Holy Spirit only speaks in dramatic moments — many promptings are quiet: apologize, pause, encourage, stop, wait.
- Selective obedience — like Jonah (Jonah 1:1–2), it’s possible to hear clearly and still resist the direction.
A Simple Action Plan to Grow in Spirit-Led Sensitivity
- Start your day with a short, honest prayer : “Holy Spirit, help me notice You today and respond well.”
- Use the “pause test” before you speak (Ephesians 4:29): “Will this build up? Is it helpful for their need? Will it benefit the listener?”
- Practice quick repentance when you miss it—own it, apologize if needed, and ask God to shape your response next time.
- Choose gratitude as a discipline (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18): write down three things you’re thankful for, especially on hard days.
- Look for the image of God in the person in front of you —Pastor Scott reminded us: “Every person you just saw is made in the image of God.”
- Ask, “What pleases the Lord here?” and do that (see Ephesians 5:10 as shared in the sermon notes).
Insider Perspective: What Most People Miss About Sensitivity
In practice, we often see people equate being led by the Holy Spirit with getting a “big feeling” or a dramatic sign. But over time, a Spirit-sensitive life usually looks quieter: consistent prayer, quick course-corrections, and a growing ability to respond with grace under pressure. That’s why Pastor Scott’s dove picture is so helpful—it points to a steady posture, not a one-time emotional moment.
When You Should Ask for Help Growing Spiritually
Some situations are hard to navigate alone—especially if you’re trying to break long-standing patterns. Consider reaching out for prayer or wise counsel if:
- Your words regularly damage relationships , and you’re not sure how to change that pattern (Ephesians 4:29).
- You feel spiritually numb or distant and don’t know how to reconnect in a healthy, grounded way.
- You’re stuck in repeated conflict and can’t seem to overlook offenses or extend grace.
- You sense God prompting you but fear, shame, or confusion keeps you from obeying (Jonah 1:1–2 is a reminder that resistance is common—and addressable).
- You’re carrying heavy guilt and need help understanding repentance and God’s patience (2 Peter 3:9).
Common Questions Answered
Is being “sensitive” to the Spirit just being emotional?
No. Emotions can be part of your experience, but Pastor Scott’s point was responsiveness—choosing the appropriate response in real situations, especially in speech and relationships (Ephesians 4:29).
How do I know if a prompting is from the Holy Spirit?
A helpful starting point is whether it aligns with what Scripture says in passages like Ephesians 4:29–30 and 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18—promptings toward building up, gratitude, prayer, and obedience are consistent with the sermon’s framework.
What does it mean to “grieve” the Holy Spirit?
Ephesians 4:30 uses relational language. It suggests our choices—especially patterns like harmful speech or unresolved bitterness—can bring sorrow to the Spirit and disrupt our closeness and responsiveness.
If I’ve ignored God before, can I still respond now?
Yes. The sermon referenced God’s patience (2 Peter 3:9). A simple next step is repentance—turning back—and choosing obedience in the next clear moment.
What’s one practical habit I can start this week?
Practice a “pause before you post or speak” habit using Ephesians 4:29 as your filter: aim for words that help, build, and benefit the listener.
Where to Go from Here
Pastor Scott’s dove picture invites you into a life that’s calmer, clearer, and more responsive to God—not by force, but by relationship. Spirit-sensitivity grows as you practice prayer, guard your words, and choose grace when it would be easier to react. If you’ve felt stuck in “pigeon” patterns, the next step isn’t shame; it’s attention and obedience in small moments. Keep it simple: pause, pray, and respond in love.
Learn More About Our Services
Discover how we can help you achieve your goals.
Get Connected
