How to Hear the Voice of God: Part 1 of 5

Bob

John 10:27 - (Jesus said) “My sheep hear my voice."

God's written word is His "logos" word. His personal spoken word to you is His "rhema" word. All of God's children should experience the thrill of hearing His voice. And not just in "911" emergency situations, but as a continual part of their daily lives. It will take your faith and your relationship with God to an entirely new and delightful level! I rejoiced each time one of our children discovered this for themself! I think their attitude was, "If it works for Dad, it will work for me too!" ) But this is not the experience of most American Christians. If hearing the voice of God is not a regular part of your life, maybe it's time to figure out why not.

  1. Are you a child of God? In John 8:47 Jesus tells the Pharisees, "The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God." Some denominations give their members a false assurance of salvation before they are truly saved. For example, they may take church members through a class or pray a prayer with them. But this is not necessarily the same as getting saved. I was raised in this type of denomination. Consequently, I thought I was a Christian until (as a young adult) I became one.

  2. Do you belong to a cessationist denomination? Some denominations teach that God no longer speaks to individuals - except possibly during rare "911" emergency situations. Their customary excuse is, "Now that we have the Bible, God doesn't need to speak to us like He used to." But the rest of us say, "Just because the tracks don't go by your house doesn't mean there's no train!"

  3. Have you have quenched the Spirit by unbelief? The important thing is not what your denomination believes, but what YOU believe. Unbelief quenches the Holy Spirit. (1 Thess 5:19, Acts 7:51). Persons of unbelief have a low expectation of God.

  4. Have you been "turned off" by people who are confused or manipulative? Yep! Me too! The world is full of people who claim, "Thus sayeth the Lord," when the Lord has said no such thing. Some of these are immature Christians who don't know how to discern between the voices of God, the Devil, and their own imagination. Others manipulate and control others using "Thus sayeth the Lord!" I can't fix that. But why allow these "problem people" to stand between you and a good thing?

  5. Do you have a hard heart? Sin and unforgiveness can harden your heart to the point where you are no longer able hear the Voice of God.

  6. Were you taught that hearing God's voice is only for the clergy? Some denominations teach that hearing God's voice is reserved only for the clergy and the "spiritual elite." This teaching is invariably accompanied by a clergy who attempt to exercise control over the common people. But hearing the voice of God is simply part of being His child. It's grace all the way! It has nothing to do with status or works!

  7. Are you simply too busy? The Lord once asked me,

    "Intimacy takes time. What are you willing to give up so you can have a more intimate relationship with Me?"