When it comes to God speaking to His children, there are four questions you must ask yourself.
Are you His child, born again and regenerated by the Holy Spirit because of Jesus' finished work at the cross and resurrection?
Is God speaking to you?
If yes what does His Voice sound like?
How do you know that it's God speaking?
If you have not accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then please read my blog entitled "Jesus Plus Nothing Saves You" at my website https://www.fullerofgraceandtruth.com.
We know God speaks to His children because He wrote the Bible. Every word God breathed through the Holy Spirit.
"All Scripture is inspired by God (God Breathed) and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16).
This blog is written to answer questions three and four. Specifically, how to hear the voice of God.
How to Hear the Voice of God!
In our eighteen-year counseling ministry, we taught our clients how to invite Jesus into their woundedness, brokenness, fear, trauma, addictions, sin, pain, and suffering. These are the times when most of us don’t want or feel comfortable praying. We taught them God’s Intimacy Prayer, a simple way to run to God when we don’t feel like it or are mad at Him. This prayer is so powerful because it puts us in a posture to hear God’s Voice.
If there was ever a person who learned to be intimate with God, it was Sarah. She probably used God’s Intimacy Prayer more than anyone in our eighteen-year Counseling Ministry, and the results were astounding. Sarah was a Southern Belle, a beautiful woman who married an older man. He had an addictive personality, an anger problem, and, most devastatingly, a fear of intimacy with God and Sarah. Her feminine heart yearned to be pursued and fought for, not ignored and discarded. The marriage was tumultuous and volatile. She raised his son and took care of him after an accident. Since she was a strong Christian, she turned to God’s love and strength. She felt supported and encouraged by her church but continued to struggle with her legalistic childhood, co-dependency, and fear of abandonment. Intimacy with her husband seemed to elude her no matter how hard she tried or performed. They were both broken and ready for a change when they came to us. She embraced the Intimacy Prayer and thrived, learning to trust the Trinity with her deepest pain, femininity, and disappointment. Through all of her sacrifice, she never thought in a million years that she and her husband would ever separate. She told us she would use God’s Intimacy Prayer as many as three to five times daily. Because of that, she became a woman of dignity and strength and called her husband to love her well and become the man he was created to be. Consequently, their marriage was getting better and was in the process of being restored and made new. Sarah often said, “When God speaks, my heart is at peace.
What Can You Expect?
What can you expect from God when you run to God in your pain or brokenness? How will He sound? What will He say? The Bible (written word, logos) is God’s ultimate and final word. But He also speaks to us personally in our time of need, a spoken word of comfort. What does God want to say, show, or reveal to you? In your time of need, it won’t be about something you need to do or your behavior but more about who He is and how the Trinity sees you. He reveals who you are in Christ as a child of God. God will reveal His attributes as Abba Father and our true Identity in Christ Jesus!
"For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, (God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children—Message), heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. (Romans 8:15-17)
But be forewarned, God is not the only one who speaks to you. There are three other voices. First is the Devil (a condemning and accusing Voice, negative self-talk, or thoughts in your head). Second the flesh (a works mentality, do more, try harder Voice). Third, the world (a non-theist worldview, isms, philosophy, Jesus isn’t enough, and God doesn’t exist) voices. The good news is that Christians can hear His voice.
“My sheep hear My Voice, and I know them, and they follow Me, and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one” (John 10:27-30).
What a powerful connection all believers have with the Lord of the universe. God truly speaks eternal words of life.
He intimately knows you and speaks to you.
He gives you eternal life.
He reassures you, His child, that you will never perish; and that you are secure in Jesus.
He promises that no one can take you away (Salvation)from the Son or Father God.
Is it Realistic to Think God Will Speak to Me?
Is it natural to hear God’s Voice? Does everybody hear His Voice or just a select few, you know, the Saints or perfect Christians like pastors or missionaries? Is it even realistic for me to try? I remember seeing a movie when I was a kid, Angels in the Outfield when a baseball team manager heard God’s Voice and saw angels. Everybody thought he was crazy. Is it crazy to even believe that God would speak to His children? What does He want to say, and how does His voice sound? Is there anything I can do or learn to prepare myself better or position myself to open my heart or mind, which will help me recognize God’s Voice? With these questions in mind, let’s take a journey and see what the Scriptures say about hearing His Voice.
“For God does speak—now one way, now another— though no one perceives (notices) it” (Job 33:14 - NIV).
Let's look at an example of God’s speaking.
“Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper (a still small voice). When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’” (1 Kings 19:9–13).
We see here that God spoke to Elijah in a still small voice like a gentle breeze or a whispering soft breath. It is important to note that God expects us to listen, look, and hear His words of life. Then He speaks, in what appears to be an audible voice.
Don’t Refuse God’s Voice
We will start with Hebrews 12:25 “See to it that you do not refuse (turn a deaf ear to -The Message) Him who is speaking.” This Scripture comes after the writer of Hebrews contrasts God’s words spoken at Mount Sinai, which became the Mosaic Law, and the words God spoke on Mount Zion, which has now become New Covenant grace.
"For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word be spoken to them. For they could not bear the command, ‘If even a beast touches the mountain it will be stoned.’ And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, ‘I am full of fear and trembling.’ But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel. See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven” (Hebrews 12:18-25, NASB).
It refers to Deuteronomy 5:22-33 when God spoke to all Israel’s assembly and refused Him. They thought that if they heard God’s Voice again, He would kill them. So, they sent Moses. God spoke and offered an intimate relationship with His people, and they refused. Therefore, Moses was the only one who received God’s glory, and to the rest of Israel, He gave them the law, all the commandments, statutes, and judgments. The law or Mosaic Covenant gave the people of God a relationship through rules and regulations. The New Covenant offers people a relationship with God through intimacy and belief in Jesus Christ.
“These words the Lord spoke to all your assembly at the mountain from the midst of the fire, of the cloud and of the thick gloom, with a great voice, and He added no more. He wrote them on two tablets of stone and gave them to me. And when you heard the Voice from the midst of the darkness, while the mountain was burning with fire, you came near to me, all the heads of your tribes and your elders. You said, ‘Behold, the Lord our God has shown us His glory and His greatness, and we have heard His Voice from the midst of the fire; we have seen today that God speaks with man, yet he lives. Now then, why should we die? For this great fire will consume us; if we hear the Voice of the Lord our God any longer, then we will die. For who is there of all flesh who has heard the Voice of the living God speaking from the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived? Go near and hear all that the Lord our God says; then speak to us all that the Lord our God speaks to you, and we will hear and do it.’
“The Lord heard the Voice of your words when you spoke to me, and the Lord said to me, ‘I have heard the Voice of the words of this people which they have spoken to you. They have done well in all that they have spoken. Oh that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me and keep all My commandments always, that it may be well with them and with their sons forever! Go, say to them, ‘Return to your tents.’ But as for you, stand here by Me, that I may speak to you all the commandments and the statutes and the judgments which you shall teach them, that they may observe them in the land which I give them to possess.’ So, you shall observe to do just as the Lord your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right or to the left. You shall walk in all the way which the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you will possess” (Deuteronomy 5:22-33).
Question: Talk to God about Him speaking to you and how you feel about the concept of refusing His Voice. (write your answer in your journal)
Hearing God’s Voice in His Word and Spirit, in my opinion, is essential to whether you work for God through performance and obedience or whether you receive God’s grace, love, and mercy by faith and enjoy an intimate and fully abundant or satisfying relationship with Him. Faith and obedience are the I believe this is a necessary ingredient for hearing God’s Voice. Therefore, “do not refuse God who is speaking.
Question: Have you ever heard God’s Voice? Explain. (write your answer in your journal)
My Sheep Hear My Voice
Jesus said that His followers listen to the Good Shepherd’s Voice and train themselves to recognize it quickly and easily. They know how to follow or what to do because they know My Voice: “The sheep listen to his voice . . . And His sheep follow Him because they know his voice. My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.”
“Truly, truly I say to you, the one who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. But the one who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. To him, the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep listen to his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he puts all his own sheep outside, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. However, a stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers ... My sheep listen to My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:1-5, 27).
Many of us prefer listening to a pastor or speaker rather than training ourselves to sit in quiet solitude and listen to God.
Sheep are (a very dependent animal on the shepherd. As sheep we seem to move through three stages of knowing God’s Voice and recognizing His movements: one, we fail to acknowledge God (1 Samuel 3:5, 10), two, we realize that God has been leading or nudging but after the fact (Genesis 28:16), and three, we recognize God’s presence and Voice immediately (1 Kings 19:11-13). Two things will keep you from hearing God's Voice
you believe God no longer speaks today, and
you fail to know what Scripture teaches about God.
Question: Do you believe that God is intimately involved in your life and speaks to you? (write your answer in your journal)
One Woman’s Story
Jan Johnson writes in her book When the Soul Listens,
"When I turned to a contemplative way of listening prayer, I began to incorporate in my daily practice two primary spiritual disciplines —silence and solitude. I found that part of the vital work done in silence and solitude detaches oneself from culture’s demands. In solitary silence, I encounter the love of God. I have found that silence and solitude have become more critical in the way I communicate with God. I have started making space in my life because I want to experience God. I longed to be with God in a more focused way, and this intention is key for me. An integral aspect of this intimacy is hearing God’s Voice."
She believes there are three safeguards needed when attempting to hear God’s Voice. One, knowing God as He truly is in Scripture, keeps us from assuming God is saying something outside His character. Two, testing what I hear and making sure it is rooted in Scripture keeps me from dreaming up inappropriate “messages” from God. Three, being rooted and connected in the Christian community.
Many Voices in Your Head
It seems that most of us have a “committee” of different voices speaking in our heads. We must ask God who they are and from where they come. Each Voice usually has an agenda and puts forth that schema. Not only must we set aside the voices of our committee of thoughts, but we must realize that God doesn’t use them to speak to us. They are to be seen as flesh talk or the accusations of the enemy. They can consist of:
self-sabotage voice (you don’t deserve it),
un-worthiness voice (God doesn’t want to use you when He can use someone else),
fixer voice (here let me help you),
know-it-all voice (I have lots of advice to impart).
self-protector voice (I won’t let anyone get too close),
performer/striver voice (doing good to earn love and acceptance),
shamer voice (I'm no good),
deny or ignore voice (I don't hear a thing),
suppresser voice (If I stuff everything, I won't have to deal with it),
end it all voice (You don't deserve to live)
blamer voice (It is always someone else's fault, excuser, and the
penance voice (If I beat myself up it will motivate me to try harder).
I always thought of these strategies as broken cisterns or coping mechanisms that we use to deal with pain apart from God.
“For My people have committed two evils: they have abandoned (forsaken) Me, the fountain of living waters, to carve out for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns that do not hold water" (Jeremiah 2:13)
But now I see that these voices in my head or self-talk can be both. No, we are not mad or mentally ill. But the Devil may have a stronghold, which gives him the right to torment and accuse the brethren.
Question: What are some of the committee members or different voices or impressions speaking in your head?
Try to determine who’s speaking by the context of the message. (write your answer in your journal)
True Identity “IN” Christ
In the beginning, God would tell me (Bill) my true identity in Christ. He encouraged me to live out of my true self, created in God’s image, and not to listen to the lies of Satan, flesh talk, or the world.
I believe the lamenting Psalms give you a clear picture of the movement of God’s Voice. Usually, they start with the believer lamenting, being very honest and vulnerable before God, then he/she begins to remember what God has done for them in the past and what God’s word says, which causes them to worship and praise God. Honesty, remembering, and praise are vital components in hearing God’s Voice. Please read Psalm 13 as a good example.
(Honest Lament) "How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart all the day? How long will my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death, and my enemy will say, I have overcome him, and my adversaries will rejoice when I am shaken. (Remembering) 'But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness.' (Worship and Praise) "My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord because He has dealt bountifully with me."
Spontaneous Thoughts
With this in mind, we are about to learn that our spontaneous thoughts are often one of the main ways we discern the Voice of God. When I refer to journaling, it is when you write down the spontaneous thoughts that are in your heart and mind. Here is a journal entry I (Bill) wrote down eighteen years ago regarding a decision my wife and I needed to make. The italic is the spontaneous thoughts I believe God spoke to me.
Father, I love You, I thank You for being my Daddy, my Papa, the one who gives me life, hope, and love. You are strong; my dad was weak, You are near; my dad was distant, and You are loving; my dad was cold. Thank You that amid my pain, you gave me Your Son Jesus to be my forever hope—hope for the present, hope for the future in Him—in Christ—in You—my faithful Daddy. I love you, and Your presence and compassion humble me. You have given me a passion for the life and love of Jesus. You have given me a vision for New Covenant Grace. It is the essence of Jesus, the good news—Your grace, mercy, and faithfulness. But, Daddy, I am fearful and full of doubt—I am full of trepidation that I will walk in my flesh—doing what I want—missing the desires of Your heart—cheating myself of Your Divine Presence. I am afraid of my decisions! My past haunts me. The memories of my decisions bring me pain. Most of my suffering has been from my selfish will—fear paralyzes me! Papa, have mercy on me, pour out Your Spirit. Comfort me and help me to receive Your perfect Will.
Here is the Lord’s response:
"Bill, you are "My precious child, I love you, I have always loved you, and I always will love you for I Am your God, and you are My child—I have always been with you. I have redeemed your every thought, your decisions, and your failures in the past. You are made new in My Son. My redemption and love have brought you and Janean together. It is time for you to move forward together with boldness and confidence in Me—I have gone before you and prepared the way—take one step at a time (together) in faith. Rejoice in My name and give thanks—I will give you peace, you will give me your empty vessel that will yield My grace, love, and life. I have chosen you and Janean. Rejoice, be glad you are mine. I Am yours—you are one flesh with Janean—We are one flesh— “I Am” will flow through you, moment by moment and day by day, Just Rest In Me! Go in peace; I will provide for you, and you will marvel at My POWER, just as you have both marveled at My LOVE—I Am yours, and what you do I Do through you—We are One! Go forth in My perfect peace.”
Question: Ask the Lord what He would like to say to you, listen, and then write down what you think He is saying. (write your answer in your journal)
Four Keys to Hearing God’s Voice
In his book, “Dialogue with God,” Reverend Mark Virkler examines four keys to hearing God’s Voice. These are found in the book of Habakkuk. Here we have an account of what Habakkuk did as he went before God to listen to His Voice.
“I will stand on my guard post. . .And I will keep watch and see what He will speak to me. Then the Lord answered me and said, Record the vision” (Habakkuk 2:1, 2).
In his book, Dialogue with God, Mark Virkler gives us insight. Habakkuk could discern the sound of the Lord’s Voice in His heart. Habakkuk wrote, "Then the Lord answered me." The first key to hearing God’s Voice is learning what His Voice spoken within you sounds like. Rather than being an inner audible voice, I discovered that God’s Voice in our hearts sounds like a flow of spontaneous thoughts and is sensed as an intuitive idea appearing in my mind. The Voice of God is the Holy Spirit speaking directly to the Spirit in me. It is perceived as a spontaneous thought, idea, word, feeling, or vision.
It is a mystical, meditative process in which you center yourself on the Lord and ask to hear from Him, just as Habakkuk did. What seems to be a chance encounter is a Divine encounter. Let’s look at a few examples. Have you ever said the following?
“I just had a brilliant thought.”
“The answer just came to me.”
“That thought just came out of nowhere.”
“Someone’s name popped into my mind, and I just knew I was supposed to pray for them.”
Question: What is Habakkuk’s first key to hearing God’s Voice? How can you implement this key into your life? (write your answer in your journal)
Reverend Virkler goes on to say he has found these spontaneous thoughts from God have certain qualities with which I agree:
1. They are like my thoughts, except that I sense them as coming from my heart rather than my brain, in that they are spontaneous, not analytical or cognitive.
2. God’s Voice is often light and gentle and easily cut off by any exertion of self. If I interrupt the spontaneous, intuitive flow with my analytical thoughts or my will, He will not try to shout above the noise or regain my attention. He will simply be still and wait until I am again ready to listen.
3. God’s Voice will easily come as God speaking in the first person. For example, He might say to me, ‘I love you.’
4. God’s Voice often has unusual or unique content, meaning it is better and somewhat different than my thoughts. It is wiser, more merciful, more discerning, and more concerned with motives. As Jesus so often did while He walked as a man, God may seem to ignore the question asked and address the real heart of the issue.
5. God’s Voice often causes a special reaction within me. There is usually a sense of excitement, conviction, faith, vibrant life, awe, or peace that accompanies receiving God’s Word. Often there is a quickening in my spirit or a sense of sharing a burden with Jesus.
6. God’s spoken word carries with it the fullness of strength to carry it out. The yoke of the Lord is easy, and His burden is light. His will is not to put us under bondage, but to bring us into satisfaction and joy. If we say yes to Him, His grace flows through us to accomplish His will. His Holy Spirit goes out with His word to fulfill His purpose.
Question: What are some of the qualities of hearing God’s Voice through spontaneous thoughts? Have you ever experienced any of these? Explain. (write your answer in your journal)
The second key he found is in the phrase, "I will stand on my guard post." Habakkuk knew how to go to a quiet place and still his thoughts and emotions from striving, so he could sense the spontaneous flow of God within. Jesus declared, “My sheep hear my voice” (John 10:27). He is always speaking, and His sheep do hear His Voice.
Unfortunately, our culture has so affected our minds that we often do not recognize that our Shepherd is speaking to us. Our Western civilization has become so rationalistic, humanistic, and scientific that we have left no place for the Spirit to break into the visible and tangible world. Therefore, hearing God’s Voice requires that we be intentional and believe that God is speaking.
The third key is found in the phrase, "I will keep watch to see." I had never even thought of looking for vision as I prayed. I had never considered presenting the eyes of my heart to God and asking Him to fill them, looking to see what He wanted to show me. However, as I began to search the Scriptures, I found that dreams and visions were a regular part of all the prophet’s prayer lives.
Mark continues, that the fourth key is found in the phrase, "Record the vision." What an incredible idea—actually writing out my dialogue with God. I have come to call this process journaling God.” When journaling to discern God’s Voice, it is better to write everything down at once. After you have written down your thoughts, go back, and ask yourself what sounds like God or ask a trustworthy friend or spouse what they think. It takes practice.
Question: What is Habakkuk’s second, third, and fourth keys to hearing God’s Voice?
How can you implement these keys into your life? (write your answers in your journal)
Janean’s Journal
Previously you read my journal, here is Janean’s journal regarding the same decision, to leave a good-paying job with security and go into full-time ministry. God’s Voice is italicized. First, He brought her mind to two Scriptures.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, My thoughts than your thoughts! Prepare the way of the risen Lord. A time of jubilee is coming” (Is 55.8). “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor 5:7).
Then Janean began to journal.
Janean, you are now one in Me. I have called you forth to show others the way. The Spirit is upon you because I have anointed you to preach the gospel to the poor, proclaim release to the captives who are under bondage, recovery of sight to the blind, set free those who are downtrodden, and to reveal Me to them. This is the favorable year of the Lord. I want you to start the year as one in ministry together. It will be the start of a new thing I am doing, open your mouth wide and I will fill it. The reason Bill couldn’t do it alone was that I didn’t call him to do it alone, you are one in Me, you can’t be going to your secular job every day and be one in ministry. You complement one another. If one of you isn’t there, it’s like half a person is cut off, and you will not be able to function. You can accomplish more of My will together than alone.
Never fear I will do miraculous things to provide for your needs. I have moved miraculously and have done great and mighty things in My love. I brought you together for love, for peace, for blessings, and to give that love to others. The time is now. You both have waited so long for this. I’m moving and will continue to move in and through you as one in Me. It is not by accident; it is by my Divine Hand. The enemy is focused on destroying what I have done. Be aware of his strategies! Be one in Me. Let Me help you love one another in My presence. Fear is not of Me; it’s a promise that I will provide for you spiritually, emotionally, physically, and financially as one. I love you both as one and each of you separately as My beloved children.
Janean left her job. We started New Covenant GraceLife Ministries, a worldwide Christian counseling (Janean is a Christian Clinical Sex Therapist) and spiritual direction (Bill is a Christian Formation and Soul Care Director) practice. We had our own T.V. special helping virgins prepare for their wedding night and marriage. Janean has written extensively on intimacy between spouses, and Bill has written extensively on intimacy with God. We have many online courses helping Christians be intimate with God and their spouses. God has been faithful precisely as He said. We have many free e-books, spiritual articles, and books and courses for sale on our two websites: christianintimacyexperts.com and online courses at christian-intimacy-experts.thinkific.com.
The Logos and Rhema Word
Two Greek words define “God’s Word and Voice” in the Holy Bible. They are “Logos” and “Rhema.” Logos means a word, communication, doctrine, or treatise; and the Divine Expression—Jesus Christ. It often represents the written word of the entire Bible. Logos is used approximately 331 times in the New Testament.
Rhema means an intentional word, utterance, command, narration, or saying. The idea of the “Word of God” is poured forth in an utterance or saying and denotes it is spoken. Rhema is used 70 times in the New Testament.
There is a distinction between Logos and Rhema. Logos can often designate the Christian proclamation as a whole in the New Testament. Rhema usually relates specifically to words and utterances to individuals as in intimate communion with God.
Christians can hear God’s Rhema voice and can speak forth His “Rhema” (life-inducing truth) into another person’s life.
“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word (Rhema) as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace (love and mercy) to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29).
It is the very nature of a Spirit-filled Christian to speak life into another person’s journey. It’s truly the life of Christ (rivers of living waters) flowing through us. This is why God gives us His Rhema Word to encourage and build up His body and establish faith and love in our innermost being. Rhema words cut through the surface and touch the Spirit, the very heart or center of man’s being. It is the life of Christ in me connecting to the life of Christ in you. The power, healing, and grace of God flow from person to person by the Rhema Words of God and are always based on and confirmed in the truth of God’s written word—logos.
I (Bill) try to practice the Centering Prayer 20 minutes a day. It helps me be attentive to God and intentionally take distractions or every thought captive to Christ. At the end of this prayer, I ask God what He would like to say to me. On one occasion, He said, "I Am the light of the world (Logos), and in Christ, I am to be a light in a dark place (Rhema).” He went on to say” that by being attentive to Him at the moment, His light would shine through me, and that the manifestation of His light was love.” I have always known that the only way to love others was by receiving God’s love myself.
But then He showed me a missing link in my theology that has kept me from true intimacy. He said, “Bill, before you can love others, you have to love yourself.” As you read earlier, I have always struggled with shame and seeing the value in myself. Then He called me to action:
“Receive My unconditional love—love yourself—and then pour this love onto others.”
Seven Responses to God's Voice
As you can see in this example, God’s Voice is both Logos and Rhema. God’s Voice usually calls you to any of the following seven responses.
One, He calls you to action where He intimately invites us to respond.
Two, to believe the truth and expose lies—shame and vows—broken cisterns.
Three, to know the truth (God is the light of the world and sufficient for all our needs).
Fourth, to know His character (perfect, gracious, and holy in every way).
Five, to understand His nature (unconditional love and Divine attributes).
Six, to know who we are in Christ or our true authentic self (eternally forgiven, spiritually alive, and loved by Almighty God).
Seven, to receive the power to live out of the Holy Spirit so that we will not carry out the flesh’s desires.
Therefore, with this in mind, let’s take a look at the many ways God speaks to His children!
Question: Ask God to give you a Rhema word? (write your answer in your journal)
What Does God's Voice Sound Like?
God can speak any way He chooses. It is foolish to try to predict how God is going to do something. God refuses to be put in a box or respond to formulas. Let’s look at a variety of ways God has spoken to His children in the past. First and foremost, God speaks through His Word, the Holy Scriptures. It is also Biblical to say that He speaks to His children in a personal and intimate way!
“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world” (Hebrews1:1-2).
Read and then match the following verses with what you learn about the many different ways God speaks to His children according to the Scripture.
Scripture | Ways God Speaks |
___John 14:26 | a) Through His Audible Voice |
___Job 4:12-16 | b) Through Visible Images/Pictures/Dreams |
___Rev 4:1-2 | c) Through Strong Inward Realizations |
___1 John 2:27 | d) Through Someone Else |
___Gal 2:14 | e) Through Being Still |
___Psalm 46:7 | f) Through Jesus |
___Hebrews 1:1 | g) Through the Holy Spirit |
___ Prov 20:27 | h) Through the Spirit |
___ 1 Cor 2:9-13, | i) Through the Gift of Prophecy |
___ 2 Ki 6:11-17 | j) Through God’s Creation |
___ Psalm 19:1-6 | k) Through the spirit of man as the lamp of the Lord |
___ Rom 5:10-11 | l) God Spoken Word - Rhema |
___ 1 Chr 14:8-17 | m) Through the Death of Jesus |
___ Ps 119:89-91 | n) Through Our Newness of Life |
___ Rom 6:4, 8-11 | o) Through God’s Word which is settled in Heaven |
___ 1 Ki 19:9–13 | p) Directly through Words |
___ 2 Tim 3:16 | q) Through the Holy Scriptures- Bible |
Here we see that God speaks to us in many diverse and individual ways. Therefore, we see a variety of ways God’s Voice could sound:
spontaneous thoughts, feelings, or ideas
a still small voice
His audible Voice
visible images/pictures/dreams
strong inward realizations
speaking through someone else
as a result of being still
through Jesus
through the Holy Spirit
in His written Word (Logos).
through the Gift of Prophecy
through God’s Creation
through the spirit of man
through the Death of Jesus
through our newness of life
knowing full well that God’s Word is settled in heaven
through the spoken Word (Rhema)
in a gentle breeze or whisper
God loves you and desires to speak with you. He is always speaking His Rhema word to His beloved children. As you are still and resting in Him, you will hear and experience the quiet and gentle sound (whisper or still small Voice) of God. It is possible not to hear God’s Rhema word or ignore His Voice. As we have seen, that is why the writer of Hebrews appeals to us by saying,
“See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking” (Hebrews 12:25).
Becoming sensitive to God and His gentle Voice is a lifelong process that may be difficult at first. Learning to listen to God is a process that starts awkwardly, develops slowly, but then grows and grows until it is hard to see how you could have ever gotten along without it.
Question: How does God speak to you, and what is He saying to you? (write your answer in your journal)
Bill’s Journal Entry
Here is another journal entry of mine (Bill’s): Lord Jesus, sometimes I forget how to hear Your Voice or am too stressed or fearful to believe what You are saying. The following is His answer to me.
I speak to you in whispers and spontaneous thoughts that light upon your heart. It is like an awakening or refreshing of your soul—Satan speaks to you harshly with accusations and condemnation, he is a liar and a thief, and he causes you to doubt Me. Your words and thoughts are filled with self-condemnation/ contempt based on your life experiences, things you have to do, self-abuse, and unbelief. Listen to no one else and Me. Clarity comes from being single-minded and focusing on Me. Go about the ministry with love and faith, knowing that “I Am” with you; “I Am” for you; “I Am” going before you to prepare the way; and “I Am” your God, and you are My children. I delight in and love you both. Bill - I love you, and I will never leave, forsake, or abandon you. Come to Me every morning, and I will show you the way. That’s all I ask. I will do it all. Just REST in M.E.!
Other Voices That Can Influence Us
God is not the only one who is speaking to Christians. Other voices that can influence Christians and unbelievers are the world, the flesh, and the Devil. An excellent example of the World’s Voice is in advertising. Advertising sells because it influences the way people feel and think, and its purpose is to change behaviors. The world’s Voice also speaks to us as world religions, new age philosophies; secular philosophies; ideologies; isms, and anything that tells us that life can be fulfilled and satisfying apart from Jesus.
The Voice of the flesh usually influences us to give in to our carnal desires. It is a harsh taskmaster keeping us under the law which says: try harder, strive, do more, you should have, you have to, why can’t you get it right and pull yourself up by your bootstraps of works and self-effort? The old covenant of the law falsely says that God is obligated to bless or help us if we get it right. Thus, the pressure is to perform to be loved or valued and usually produces guilt, shame, or a penance mentality. We will study the Voice of the Devil in greater detail.
Who is the Devil?
Satan will not come to us in the form of an oversized bat with bony wings, hissing like a snake. Very seldom will he assume any external manifestation at all. Instead, he will usually, like God, come to us through our thoughts and our perceptions. We must be alert to any voice that is in contrast with the weight, spirit, and content of God’s Voice, for that may signify that we are under subtle attack.” (Dallas Willard)
The Devil is a fallen angel (Is 14:12-17) and is most commonly referred to as the serpent, the great dragon, Satan (Rev 12:9), Lucifer, or the evil one. He has a host of fallen angels called demons, who are at his command.
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph 6:1:12).
Read and then match the following verses with what you learn about the Devil’s relationship to the unbeliever.
Scripture | Devil’s Relationship to the Unbeliever |
___2 Tim 3:24 | a) blinds the minds of the unbeliever |
___2 Cor 4:4 | b) takes the word of God from their hearts |
___Luke 8:12 | c) controls the unbeliever |
___Acts 13:8 | d) ensnares and holds them captive to do his will |
___2 Tim 2:26 | e) god of this world |
The Devil’s Voice
The Scriptures reveal the Devil and his demonic spirits speak to our minds (noema). He does this by putting first-person thoughts in our minds. It may sound like, “I’m no good.” I’m such a failure.” or “Nobody loves me.” His purpose is to deceive, lie, accuse, condemn, and destroy the Christian. Every word that comes forth from Satan is a lie.
“The Devil. . . does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44).
When you expose the Devil’s lies with the truth, any power he used to influence you is broken. The only power he has is when we believe his lies, deceptions, and accusations. If you believe a lie, it might as well be the truth because you will respond to it as if it were the truth. If accepting the truth will set you free, then believing the lies will keep you in bondage. He can never take away our salvation, but he can deceive us into believing a lie.
Why? Because he is the accuser of the brethren (Rev 12:10), he is the deceiver (2 Cor 11:3 and Rev 12:9), he tries to hinder fruitfulness (1 Thess 2:18), and he tempts everyone to immorality (1 Cor 7:5). The Apostle Peter says,
“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
Read and then match the following verses with what you learn about the believer’s relationship with the Devil.
Scripture | Believer's Relationship With Devil |
___Col 1:13 | a) set free from the law of sin and death |
___Rom 8:2 | b) we are aware of his schemes |
___2 Cor 2:11 | c) put on the full armor of God |
___Eph 6:10-11 | d) delivered from the domain |
"Submit therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God and He will come close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you" (James 4:7-8, 10).
“But resist him, stand firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you” (1 Peter 5: 9-10).
Question: Explain the other voices that speak to you and how they sound. (write your answer in your journal)
Safeguards
When we listen to the Voice of the Spirit of Almighty God, we could conceivably get it mixed up with the Voice of Satan (condemnation), the Voice of our own hearts’ desires (a list of rules or I should or have to), or the Voice of the world (ideologies, isms, religion). If that happened and we acted on it, it could bring real deception into our lives.
Therefore, God has given you several safeguards in Scripture to protect. Probably the most significant protection you have for the spiritual journey is the Word of God. Every revelation must be tested against the written Scriptures. If the revelation violates either the letter or the Spirit of the Word, it is to be rejected immediately. There is no place for rationalizing, twisting, or explaining away the truth of the Bible. There can be no strange, personal interpretations of some random verse that justify what we want to believe. The Bible has one interpretation based on a literal interpretation, context, and scriptural reference. But there can be many applications in our personal lives.
There are times in my struggle or brokenness that I have made God’s Voice say what I wanted to hear. That’s why I test it by the Word, Spirit, and family of God. The Word of the Lord will stand forever, and any word to us from God will be in total agreement with both the letter and spirit of the Eternal Word. If I have filled my mind and heart with the Bible, the Holy Spirit will draw forth the specific verses, stories, or principles I need in a given situation. The spontaneous flow of illumined Scriptures will bring wisdom and insight far more significant than my mind could deliver if only I pause and allow myself to be dependent on God.
Another essential Scriptural safeguard from error and spiritual harm is a humble, teachable spirit. So often, the ones who claim to hear from the Lord are arrogant and self-righteous. But God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. We ought to be known as the meekest, humblest, and dependent of men.
Another safeguard is the body of Christ— being rooted in the Christian community. The full revelation of Jesus resides in us individually, and as we come together as a body. We are called to be committed to a local expression of the body of Christ in relationship to a spiritual counselor and community. We cannot survive if we try to walk alone.
“In the multitude of counselors, there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14).
And finally, know that the enemy is a defeated foe. As you begin your time with the Lord, verbally speak, “I resist the demons and submit to God, therefore, Satan and all your demons have to leave me and my thoughts in the name of Jesus Christ.” He cannot interfere with your time with the Lord.
Questions: What are the safeguards that you are willing to implement so that you can practice hearing God’s Voice with confidence? (write your answer in your journal)
Pray and ask the Lord how important it is for you personally to hear His Voice!
Write out what you say to God, and then listen and write out what you think He says to you.
After you write it out, examine it and determine who is speaking to you. It takes practice. (write your answer in your journal)
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We All Have the Same Dilemma, We're Dead in Sin
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One, why do I need to be saved?
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Three, how am I saved?
I believe Only Jesus plus nothing not only saves you but answers these three questions.
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