Have you heard his voice lately? We had some friends stay with us over the Christmas break and I got into an interesting conversation with their 8 year old about how do you know when God is talking to you.
Of Course I believe that God speaks through a variety of ways: The Bible, the counsel of godly friends, parents, experience, occasional donkeys, etc. But I also have experienced His still soft voice sharing things with me. Sometimes they are seemingly insignificant – like how many people to expect for a weekend gatherings, sometimes they are huge – like warning us about a dangerous spiritual leader, sometimes it doesn’t make sense – like leading us to move to another State, and sometimes it is just telling me no – like building a pool (all examples are real.) God confirms the things he shows me sometimes right away, sometimes six months later, sometimes years later. God, also often gives my wife the same, “impressions” (I like that the best.)
Lately, I have been discerning God’s voice more and more – which thrills me, but also begs the question, the same one our 8 year old house guest asked, how do I know it is God speaking. I explained that it is kind of like talking to someone on the phone. The more you do the easier it is to recognize the voice. This confused her and she wanted to know if I heard an audible voice. I don’t. It is generally more of an impression. God has been confirming those impressions lately so I am learning to focus in more on the difference between my thoughts and His.
So how about you? Do you hear from God, and if so how do you know it is Him?
Tags: Kyle
People that know what God is saying without doubt make me nervous. Coming out of a “cult” background, it can be easy to follow someone who “hears from god”, but one major issue of most cults is that no one is allowed to question the word of the leader; or question what god is saying through that person.
It all boild down to confirmation and accountability for me. Much like you I “hear” God in many ways, but how do I know if I have a dream, get a picture, get a feeling or whatever that it is truly from God… Confirmation. And a great way to maintain continual confirmation and receive updated confirmation is to include oneself in some sort of accountability in relationship(wife, friends, group, church). Often times the deeper the relationship, the clearer the confirmation and weeding out of the chaff.
My opinion is that God made it this way. It’s just one more way that He sneakily forces us to “become one just as He and the Father are one”. If I truly hear from God, then there will be evidence not only in my own heart, but within the creation that surrounds me or the people that surround me. A great example for me is my wife. I would say to date that concerning spiritual issues, if my wife and I are in agreement concerning the family then so far it has been 100% that we’ve heard the voice of God.
Ad Hoc: I have learned over time that God really does value our futures and that He truly loves us and wants us to prosper as our souls prosper. Even the gift of prophecy is to build up and encourage. Having worked in a prophetic gifting for some time now, I’ve realized in my own life that I’m kinda like a lens that God moves through (shine His light) to speak to the other person. Sometimes I muddy up what God is saying so much that the words out of my mouth might as well be garble. On the same token, sometimes when God speaks to me individually, my cup can not fathom or contain the water He spills into me (all I can interprete is my way).
Also when God attempts to reveal truth to me or through me to someone else, I find that my own arrogance and narrow mindedness can truly affect the “whole” truth that God is trying to reveal whether it be a broad concept or something specific like installing a pool. I also think that’s why God speaks in different ways. Not necessarily so that we can understand Him more, but so we can not muddy up what He’s saying as much. I think that’s why God gives me pictures and stories primarily with other people; it’s kinda a “see what you get” for me and often I don’t even have to “interprete” what God is saying as much as just tell the person what I see….they usually get the point.
I think it’s healthy that we don’t always know if we hear God, if anything it’s a sign to seek out that confirmation. Still, there is that small still voice I hear telling me that I am loved, that I am never forsaken and that I’m always accepted; and with such, the confirmation of my heart is sufficient.
And don’t forget the fruit. When God speaks, that which is formelss and void (full of chaos) becomes creation itself. If we truly hear the voice of God in our lives, than it is inevitable that the void will be replaced with life. I think that’s why the scripture says, “God’s word can not return void”.
I used to get upset concerning not hearing the voice of God clearly. I strove to hear God with clarity and to be the greatest of prophets. I remember one time I was sure I heard God tell me there was five dollars under the back seat of my car. I literally destroyed my back seat trying to find it (to this day I still wonder if I missed a spot). I was dismayed by the event. In the end it was a wonderful lesson. In the end, I don’t want to be a cult leader. Seeking out confirmation keeps me humble and a part of the Body of Christ. It keeps communication with my wife augmented; with my friends. Let the people of God say Amen (so be it, I confirm that)
Whenever I get done with these posts; I always look back and think “Did I really write that much…” Sorry for long post again.
The same thing happens to me. I always wonder if anyone will take the time to read my ramblings. So I just wanted to let you know that so far I have read every word that has been posted on this site. I love to read everyone’s posts, especially the long detailed ones. I find that the details that come out in a post are far more than typically come out of a face-to-face conversation. BoB
Thanks Drew.
We had a prophetic conference at my church on Friday and Saturday night. Probably what stood out the most for me was his “warning” against what he called “parking lot prophecy”- or prophecy that people give in private without others (especially church leaders) being able to cofirm or not confirm. He brought up that everything should be established by two or more witnesses. Thought this was worth adding to the Blog Mix.