Another means by which believers may have assurance of salvation is the inner testimony of the Holy Spirit as stated in Romans 8:16:

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God…

Believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. One of the many ways the Holy Spirit ministers to believers is by testifying to our spirits that we are in fact saved.

Let me be quick to point out that this inner testimony can be a subjective self-deception. Mormons, for instance, frequently refer to a “burning in the bosom” as proof that what they believe is true and that they are “saved.” Though they do have a sense of assurance that they are saved, it is a false assurance because the entire Mormon religion is unbiblical, and therefore, false—no matter how sure they are in their hearts.

This does not negate that actual testimony of the indwelling Holy Spirit in the lives of true believers. What it does mean is that our assurance is based on obedience to the Lord Jesus—that is confirmed in the hearts of believers to whom the Spirit bears witness.

By the mouth of two witnesses… (Deuteronomy 19:15, 2 Corinthians 13:1). The two witnesses are (1) lives of obedience, and (2) the confirming testimony of the Holy Spirit.

Next time: The blessings of assurance.