Evidence of the New Birth (Born of God)

By Hakim Taliaferro – Founder of Alpha Talk

For creatives, entrepreneurs, and leaders navigating influence in a noisy world—your true authority flows not from performance, but from a Spirit-led identity. These are not just external behaviors but internal signs of transformation by the Holy Spirit.

One of the clearest distinctions of the new birth is this: the Holy Spirit no longer simply rests upon you for moments of empowerment—He begins to dwell within you to shape your identity. This isn’t about power for a task; it’s about God’s Presence for a lifestyle. And that changes everything.

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1. Conviction of Sin, Righteousness, and Judgment

True transformation comes with holy sensitivity. The indwelling Spirit convicts—not to shame, but to align us with God’s nature.

• John 16:8 – “And when He [the Holy Spirit] has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.”
• 1 John 3:9 – “No one born of God makes a practice of sinning…”

Reflection: Do I feel the pull of conviction when I fall short? Am I more concerned with looking right before people or being aligned with His righteousness?

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2. Love for God and His Commands

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit produces delight. Those born again don’t just obey out of fear—they obey because their heart has changed. Their heart leans towards not just hearing His word, but actually obeying His instructions. 

• 1 John 5:3 – “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.”
• John 14:23 – “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word…”

Reflection: Do I approach God’s Word as the very Source of my very life or do I see His Word as something to ‘check off’ the list? What command do I find hardest to follow—and why?

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3. Love for Others, Especially Other Believers

The Holy Spirit doesn’t just dwell in you to cleanse you from the inside out—you also begin to carry His heart for people. That means learning to love others like He does.

• 1 John 4:7 – “Everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.”
• 1 John 3:14 – “We know that we have passed from death to life because we love the brethren.”

Reflection: Is my love selective or sacrificial? Who  or what types of people do I avoid often that God may be calling me to love?

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4. Growing in the Fruit of the Spirit

The evidence of the Spirit dwelling in you is that His character starts to show through you. Fruit is not self-produced, it’s Spirit-grown. It’s the Natural Expression of God’s nature in you ‘pressed out’ by way of fellowship with Him, not an act of self-will. The fruit of the Spirit yields through our surrender, not our forcefulness.

• Galatians 5:22–23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…”
• John 15:5 – “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit…”

Reflection: Am I trying to change through human effort without asking for help, or by intentionally abiding in Christ? Where do I need to surrender control to grant Him more space to express Himself in my life?

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5. Ongoing Awareness of God’s Presence

Indwelling means nearness. You become more sensitive to His discipline, His direction, and even His grief. The Spirit is not a visitor—He’s a permanent Resident. 

• Romans 8:16 – “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”
• Hebrews 12:6 – “For the Lord disciplines the one He loves…”
• Psalm 32:8 – “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go…”

Reflection: Am I aware of God’s presence even beyond church moments or do I only sense God’s Presence when around other believers? Where have I been ignoring His gentle nudges?

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6. Spiritual Hunger and Discernment

The Spirit inside you stirs a craving for truth. You don’t feel at home in this world anymore—because your citizenship has changed. Your desire for the Word of God, godly fellowship and encounters with Jesus increase, you are not simply satisfied with ‘supplements’. You yearn for Him.

• 1 Peter 2:2 – “Like newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word…”
• 1 John 2:15 – “If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

Reflection: Do I hunger for Him more than I hunger for selfish desires? What has dulled my appetite for God’s voice?

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7. Hatred of Sin and Desire for Holiness

When the Holy Spirit dwells within you, sin becomes uncomfortable. Holiness is no longer optional—it becomes your desire. You know that you aren’t perfect, but you are no longer comfortable doing things you know displease the Lord. 

• 2 Corinthians 7:10–11 – “Godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation…”
• 1 John 3:6 – “No one who abides in Him keeps on sinning…”

Reflection: Do I make excuses for sin, or do I mourn over it? What do I need to lay down for the sake of holiness?

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8. Faith in Jesus as the Son of God

The Holy Spirit doesn’t just give you goosebumps—He roots your belief in Christ. You’re no longer shaken by culture or trends. You realize that Jesus is exactly who she says He was and you connect with the disciples, even yearning to see how they walked with Him.

• 1 John 5:1 – “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God…”

Reflection: Is my faith in Jesus rooted on who He says He is or on our current circumstances? Do I truly believe He is who He said He is?

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9. Victory Over the World’s Systems

Being born again means you begin to overcome—systems, strongholds, and the pressure to conform. You don’t walk alone anymore. You realize that while you may experience tribulations and trials, you also understand that Jesus has overcome this world. We overcome this world by the power of the Spirit, not just human wisdom, timing and ingenuity.

• 1 John 5:4 – “For everyone born of God overcomes the world.”

Reflection: Where have I accepted the world’s values or validation over God’s? What system within this world system have I been called to resist—or redeem?

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10. Desire to Obey and Be Led by the Spirit

The resting of the Spirit may empower you for an assignment or divinely appointed moment, but the indwelling of the Holy Spirit transforms your nature and willingness to obey God. Born-again believers don’t just ‘perform’ for God—they walk with Him seeking His input and involvement in all their earthly affairs.

• Romans 8:14 – “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”

Reflection: Am I making room for the Holy Spirit to lead me daily—or only when I feel stuck? What decision have I made without inviting His guidance?

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Alpha Identity Insight

The Alpha Identity Index helps uncover where you're growing in maturity—and where your identity is being refined by the Spirit. Here’s how the new birth shows up across each dimension:

• Potential Impact – You stop striving and start abiding. Influence flows from intimacy, not insecurity.
• Revenue Readiness – Your approach to wealth shifts from survival to stewardship. Money no longer leads—you follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
• Marketplace Value – You begin to lead with integrity, discernment, and love. Value isn’t just what you offer—it’s how you walk.
• Identity Health – The indwelling Spirit heals old narratives and anchors your worth in Christ alone.

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Summary

Being born again isn’t about:

• Repeating a scripted prayer
• Growing up in church culture
• Having Christian habits

It’s about receiving new life from God—
a life marked by inner transformation, love for others, spiritual discernment, and the indwelling leadership of the Holy Spirit.

You weren’t just saved to be used. You were born again to be indwelled.