After giving our lives over to the Lord, in my humble opinion and experience, the next step on the spiritual agenda is to learn how to discern God’s voice. Because if we can’t hear Him, how can we follow His instructions? And if we can’t follow His instructions, we’re susceptible to the enemy’s plans, and if we follow the adversary’s trajectory for our lives, it goes without saying—we’re in trouble.
And your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it, when you turn to the right hand and when you turn to the left (Isaiah 30:21, (AMP).
Hearing God is a non-negotiable attribute.
Not hearing God is like meandering through life wearing a blindfold and earplugs. How many close-call situations have you found yourself in because you didn’t have the faith to know God prompted you to go in a different direction? Have you passed up any once-in-a-lifetime opportunities because you didn’t recognize the Holy Spirit speaking blessings into your life? Regrettably, some believers are under the delusion they can’t hear God for themselves. So they put their faith in others to listen for them.
But why would our heavenly Father not want all His children to hear Him? Think about that. How would you feel if your children only listened to their peers and friends over your advice? Isn’t that a frightening thought?
How does God speak to His children?
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (John 10:27)
God speaks in different ways at various times. We’ll miss Him if we expect to hear Him only in a particular format—the Spirit will keep us alert by changing His methods and approaches as He sees fit. He won’t allow us to place Him into a box of formulas.
Of course, the primary way we hear God is through the Scriptures. Reading and studying the Word of God illuminates His character. With that enlightenment, we learn what pleases and displeases Him. I like to personalize Scriptures to portray Him speaking directly to me. This is probably the closest I’ll ever get to hear Him speak to me audibly.
Example:
[Paulette] shall call upon me, and I will answer [her]: I will be with [her] in trouble; I will deliver [her], and honour [her]. (Psalm 91:15)
Other ways God speaks, but is not limited to, are through situations and circumstances, people, wisdom, dreams, visions, good old-fashioned gut feelings, and some have even heard His audible voice. The more time we spend in His presence fellowshipping, the better we’re able to detect if a wandering thought came from Him or someplace else.
As we mature spiritually, we’ll sense the Holy Spirit’s presence even when He appears to be silent in our circumstances. That’s one way He stretches our faith.
Developing our spiritual ear is a lifelong endeavor filled with many trial-error experiences and willingness to look foolish when (not if) we mistake His voice. Nevertheless, it’s good to know our hearing improves with practice.
Therefore, each time we misinterpret His voice, don’t count it as a failure but should be viewed as a valuable learning experience. We’re only in trouble when we don’t try to listen.
© 2021
See you next time on Paulette Talks Faith.