Learning How to Listen, In 10 Ways
Dear Reader, I want you to imagine a scenario with me.
The first thing you need to remember about God's voice is that if you believe in Jesus Christ, you are able to hear His voice. The Scripture mentioned above says "My sheep hear My voice." If you believe in God, you can hear His voice. However, hearing it is not enough. You have to recognise or discern God's voice and to do that, know that
5) God's voice aligns to the context of His word. - Then the devil... said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say.." - Matthew 4:5-6.
We've already noted that God's voice aligns to the Word, but note that it aligns to the context of the Word. In Matthew 4, Jesus was being tempted by the devil and the devil used Scripture against Him. How did Jesus win? Jesus knew the context of the Word and knew the devil had twisted its meaning. He then used the proper context of the word to fight back.
Anyone can come to you with Scripture, but God's voice will always use it in context. This means that you must take time to know the Word for yourself and ask God to reveal its context so that when He speaks from it, you know whether it is Him or not.
And those are my two cents on hearing God's voice. Before you close the window and reflect on what you just read, I have a challenge for you to for the next 14 days.
Take time to listen to God and expect something new from Him. We have been taught to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17), but prayer is a conversation so we must also listen without ceasing. This week, meditate on Scripture, seeking to understand it deeper. And also expect something good from God. This builds faith (Hebrews 11:1,6).
Have a fantastic week ahead. Please do share with those you love and feel free to comment below!
Guide. Light. Inspire
Imagine you met someone you really like (it can be in a romantic or non-romantic way) and you want to build a genuine relationship with them. They seem like the best person who can help you grow and if you built a relationship with them, you would be able to achieve greater things together.
You decide to engage in conversation with them. You meet them in person and sit down to chat. They begin with a hello, and you ask how they are and then speak about themselves. Then they turn it over to you and ask: "What about you? What are you interested in?"
As you begin to answer, the person gets up and walks away.
How would you feel?
Thinking back on this scenario, I easily related it to prayer. Many times, we come to God with our concerns but we leave without hearing what He has to say about them. God desires to hear from you but He also wants to give His advice and guidance and develop a genuine relationship with you.
Knowing this, what do we do? How do we listen?
This is what today's blog post is about. I am no expert in discerning the voice of God, but I can share a few lessons I have learnt about listening to God's voice. In 10 simple steps, I will unveil things about God's voice that you need to know, along with a challenge for your week. Are you ready?
Welcome to Learning How to Listen, in 10 ways.
1) You know God's voice. "My sheep hear My voice and I know them and they follow Me." - John 10:27-28
The first thing you need to remember about God's voice is that if you believe in Jesus Christ, you are able to hear His voice. The Scripture mentioned above says "My sheep hear My voice." If you believe in God, you can hear His voice. However, hearing it is not enough. You have to recognise or discern God's voice and to do that, know that
2) God's voice always aligns with His Word. God's Word is the basis which He uses to speak to us. God's voice is Truth and the Truth is written in the Bible. We may hear many voices in our head, but God's voice always leads us back to the Bible or speaks of the truth preached in the Bible.
3) God's voice leads/teaches us to lean on Him. - "The LORD is my shepherd...I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." - Psalm 23:1,6. God's voice will always lead us to His presence because it is all we need. Anyone speaking from God will always encourage us to seek God's heart personally. When God's voice is in the lead, He will lead us to where His presence is. It doesn't matter where it is or how you will get there, God's voice will always lead you to Him.
4) God's Voice exalts Jesus as LORD. "No one speaking from God will curse Jesus and no one can say Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit." - 1 Corinthians 12:3. God's voice is identified when Jesus' name is exalted above anything. Anyone can say "Jesus is Lord" off the top of their head but a voice speaking from God always places Jesus' priorities above all and emphasizes Jesus' authority over everything.
5) God's voice aligns to the context of His word. - Then the devil... said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say.." - Matthew 4:5-6.
We've already noted that God's voice aligns to the Word, but note that it aligns to the context of the Word. In Matthew 4, Jesus was being tempted by the devil and the devil used Scripture against Him. How did Jesus win? Jesus knew the context of the Word and knew the devil had twisted its meaning. He then used the proper context of the word to fight back.
Anyone can come to you with Scripture, but God's voice will always use it in context. This means that you must take time to know the Word for yourself and ask God to reveal its context so that when He speaks from it, you know whether it is Him or not.
6) God speaks in silence, sometimes. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper...Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” - 1 Kings 19:11,13.
When it comes to the voice of God, we usually think that God speaks in a large, booming voice from the clouds. Even though He can do this (in rare cases), He speaks in silence, in a still, small voice. Do note that it can be very easy to miss His voice so it will take intent listening.
7) God speaks through people and circumstances. On a good day, enjoy yourself. On a bad day, examine your conscience. God arranges for both kinds of days - Ecclesiastes 7:14 (MSG)
Humans are the instruments God uses to pour out His glory. God will use people—note people not only pastors or prophets— to speak to you. However, be sure to confirm the word they give through His Word and God's presence (for confirmation).
Circumstances are used to draw you closer to God. Good circumstances allow you to experience His goodness. Bad circumstances and unexpected ones teach you to trust in Him and actually listen to God.
8) God doesn't speak the same way all the time. Now unto him, that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think... - Ephesians 3:20.
Sometimes, we expect God to speak the same way He did last time or to someone else, but He doesn't always do that. Sometimes, He may speak through something else because that is the best way to hear Him. We also judge the vessel He might use and actually miss His voice. But when we have our eyes on Him and not one who is speaking, we will hear Him. Perhaps you could carry this perspective to church next time.
9) God always confirms His word. In the most unexpected ways, God confirms His Word to you. He may use people, the Bible or circumstances or simply does what He said. He won't always confirm immediately, but you will know when the confirmation comes.
10) Hearing God's voice is a growing process and it only gets better the more you do it. There will always be moments when you are unsure of whether you heard God. Oftentimes, it will require you to take a risk. And God, seeing that your heart is willing to know Him, will help you identify what He wants you to do. Also, no matter how long you've been with God, He will always have a new way to speak to you.
7) God speaks through people and circumstances. On a good day, enjoy yourself. On a bad day, examine your conscience. God arranges for both kinds of days - Ecclesiastes 7:14 (MSG)
Humans are the instruments God uses to pour out His glory. God will use people—note people not only pastors or prophets— to speak to you. However, be sure to confirm the word they give through His Word and God's presence (for confirmation).
Circumstances are used to draw you closer to God. Good circumstances allow you to experience His goodness. Bad circumstances and unexpected ones teach you to trust in Him and actually listen to God.
8) God doesn't speak the same way all the time. Now unto him, that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think... - Ephesians 3:20.
Sometimes, we expect God to speak the same way He did last time or to someone else, but He doesn't always do that. Sometimes, He may speak through something else because that is the best way to hear Him. We also judge the vessel He might use and actually miss His voice. But when we have our eyes on Him and not one who is speaking, we will hear Him. Perhaps you could carry this perspective to church next time.
9) God always confirms His word. In the most unexpected ways, God confirms His Word to you. He may use people, the Bible or circumstances or simply does what He said. He won't always confirm immediately, but you will know when the confirmation comes.
10) Hearing God's voice is a growing process and it only gets better the more you do it. There will always be moments when you are unsure of whether you heard God. Oftentimes, it will require you to take a risk. And God, seeing that your heart is willing to know Him, will help you identify what He wants you to do. Also, no matter how long you've been with God, He will always have a new way to speak to you.
And those are my two cents on hearing God's voice. Before you close the window and reflect on what you just read, I have a challenge for you to for the next 14 days.
Take time to listen to God and expect something new from Him. We have been taught to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17), but prayer is a conversation so we must also listen without ceasing. This week, meditate on Scripture, seeking to understand it deeper. And also expect something good from God. This builds faith (Hebrews 11:1,6).
Have a fantastic week ahead. Please do share with those you love and feel free to comment below!
Guide. Light. Inspire
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