It’s been one of the top three questions I’ve been asked in ministry over the years. How can we know we are hearing God’s voice and not just producing ideas from our own minds. The reality is that God prompts, guides and directs inviting us to cooperate with him. He makes room for us to be who he designed us to be in the process of growing more in his likeness.
Practicing hearing God’s voice daily is the key to hearing with greater clarity. We practice in places of consistently reading the Bible and prayer. Don’t just read the book. Sit with the Author! Reading without meditating is like eating without chewing. Your devotions aren’t something to be done so you can get them out of the way. There are treasured deposits God will make to sustain you throughout your day when you make the time and take the time to spend with him. Purpose a place and time in the morning before your day begins. Pause throughout your day and just take a 3 minute walk around your office area listening to the Holy Spirit practicing being polite and kind to others in the process. You’ll be amazed how many times God will prompt you to say something specific to somebody just to encourage them.
Tomorrow morning at 6am prayer at Destiny we will focus in on this as the group will be invited to share times they know they’d heard the voice of God. Hearing these stories encourages us all. After we encourage each other in what God has done then we will make time for what God wants to say about what God will do. Let’s break into new dimensions of God’s purposes and God’s love as we listen for his voice. Here are some wonderful verses to reflect on as you pursue hearing God’s voice more readily in your life.
2 Cor 13:14 “ May the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.” (NAS)
Prov 3:6 Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. MSG
John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. NIV
Isa 30:21 – Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” NIV
The #1 key to hearing the voice of God is to be willing to hear what He wants to say more than what you’re wanting Him to tell you.
John 5:19 Jesus gave them this answer: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing… (NIV)
Ps 16:8 I am always aware of the Lord’s presence; he is near, and nothing can shake me. (Good News Translation)
1 John 2:6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. NIV
1 Cor 4:1 So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. (NIV)
Col 2:6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, {so} walk in Him, (NAS)
Joel 2:11 The LORD utters His voice before His army; Surely His camp is very great, For strong is he who carries out His word… NIV