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Every day God speaks to us. Sometimes He invites us to draw close and listen as He reveals himself, His character, and His direction. Other times He calls us to participate in his purposes, or He simply whispers, reminding us of his amazing love for us.
Hearing from God is one of those topics that can easily stir up confusion and sometimes frustration, Then we ask ourselves: How do I know God is speaking to me? How can I discern his voice or is it just my idea? Or better yet, what if I feel God is telling me to do something that doesn’t make sense? Let’s be clear, there is no magic formula for discerning God’s voice. We learn to recognize his and the voice of those close to us by knowing him. And when we know him, we can tell if what we’re feeling led to do is from Him or not. I can personally say that I have heard God’s audible voice speaking to me. Most people haven’t. I can feel his direction and sense his presence when I seek him. Here are some critical questions to help you determine if what you’re hearing is from God or not.
- Does what I’m hearing line up with scripture? God will never tell you to do something contrary to his Word. Unless we know scripture, we won’t be able to know if it’s consistent with the Word of God.
- Is what I’m hearing consistent with God’s character? The Word of God also provides all the information regarding his character. Just as God always speaks in accordance with his Word, He speaks in accordance with his character. God is not inconsistent with who he is. The longer we know Him and the more we experience him personally, the more we learn about his character.
- Is what I’m hearing confirmed through the lessages of the church and the Christian community? When God speaks to us about a particular issue, we cannot escape it. Sometimes there’s a sermon, devotional message, Bible study or Sunday School lesson, or conversation with a friend that’s consistent with what I have been hearing from God in my time alone with him. Listen for his voice and then look for the message to be confirmed by other trustworthy voices in his Word.
- Is what I’m hearing beyond me? Sometimes God calls us to something big that we can’t do in our strength because it’s either beyond our ability or our human desire. It can’t be strategized or manipulated into being. It can only happen through divine intervention. When this happens don’t look at your inabilities and dwell on insecurities. Look to the Almighty God. This call is your opprtunity to watch him work in and through you.
- Is what I’m hearing pleasing to God? It’s easy to talk ourselves out of thinking we’ve heard from God. We sometimes use any excuse to convince ourselves it’s not his voice, so we don’t need to act. But, if what you are doing pleases God, then even if what you thought you heard from Him wasn’t his voice, you still pleased him. We should always seek to err on the side of pleasing God.
These filter questions are a good starting place in our conversations with God because when we expect to hear his voice, we will. God promises,“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” I’m so thankful we serve a God who still speaks to each of us individually and right where we are. He listens to hear from his children. Praise Him! Amen.
Pastor Andrea (Rev.Andie)
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