How Can We Interpret God’s Voice from Our Own?

How Can We Interpret God’s Voice from Our Own? Scripture offers visual representations of God’s personal revelation to us, but is this the same as hearing his voice? If we were to wait for an audible revelation, then most people would not hear God’s voice at all. We still “hear God,” however, in severalways. Candice LuceyContributing Writer When one is prompted to do or say something, is that prompting from God or from the flesh? Is the voice God’s voice or one’s own desires, which run contrary to God’s will? When his will and ours seem closely aligned, how can we tell if he is speaking to us? We can interpret God’s voice from our own — with practice and discipline. A Cloudy Communication As if God’s ways are not mysterious enough at times, we face the problem that “our desires can muddy our ability to hear God’s voice,” wrote Tania Harris. “This makes it all the more difficult to differentiate between our voice and God’s.” God’s specific will for us is seldom clear, but even if it was, we might be inclined to overlook or distort his will. His ways frequently contradict earthly direction or lead us away from the immediate fulfillment of temporal pleasure. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah29:11). In other words, those plans are known by God and not by us. Even when one’s path is only revealed one step at a time, we are urged to trust the Lord’s direction knowing that the destination is certain. The Well-Lit Path But not everything is unclear. The Psalmist wrote, “Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies” (27:11). He taught that “all the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant andhis testimonies” (25:10). Psalm 119:105 praises God, saying “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Ifwe follow God, we will be guided by him. The Psalms above offer visual representations of God’s personal revelation to us, but is this the same as hearing his voice? If we were to wait for audible revelation, then most people would not hear God’s voice at all. We still “hear God,” however, in severalways. Through Our Pastors Some believers avoid church, but they listen to sermons on YouTube given by pastors they do not know. They select messages they want to hear instead of joining a local church community and staying there, whether in person or via Zoom. The local pastor’s message does not always suit individual yearnings or curiosity. His sermon topic is too challenging, or boring, or controversial. Accountability to a community threatens one’s pride and autonomy, or a bad experience has turned one “off” of church. But a pastor is given a message for his congregation, God’s message for a group of people. “And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding” (Jeremiah3:15). Each pastor is a shepherd for a specific community of seekers and believers. The congregation of that church (in person or via social media) is the flock a pastor has been called to guard and to nurture. “When the pastor lives a life of prayer like Jesus and becomes intentional about discipleship and spiritual formation,” wrote S. Joseph Kidder, “God will use them to transform the church into a sanctuary for spiritually transformed lives.” Prayer-centered pastors speak God’s Word over their sheep. Those who avoid the local shepherd’s sermons are also losing the chance to hear God’s voice and to know it is his voice, not their own. Although God provides general revelation through a sermon delivered to tens, hundreds, or thousands of people, there are often special words of private revelation nestled within those sermons. To discount this possibility is to limit the reach and powerof God’s Word, which is “living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). Speaking to the Christian’s individual needs in the moment was not the purpose for which Scripture was written, but many times the pastor will hear “I felt as though you were speaking directly to me.” If one’s local pastor is an obedient servant of Christ who preaches the gospel weekly, any inner voice urging one to avoid his sermons is unlikely to have come from the Lord. Through Study of Scripture Billy Graham wrote, “The authors of Scripture made it clear that God was speaking to them and through them. More than 3,000 times they said, ‘Thus saith the Lord.’” He speaks to us through Scripture, directly and generally. Thanks to the Ten Commandments, one knows that a voice, which urges one to start an affair with a married coworker is not the voice of God. But what if that is an emotional affair? We can argue that the Ten Commandments do not speak specifically to thisquestion, but again we would know one’s personal voice from God’s voice because Christ taught that our thoughts matter. “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment” (Matthew5:21-22). God sees the heart; he wants our obedience to his laws to start there. We do not always need a personal word about a temptation, which is similar to ours in order to discern God’s voice from our own sinful desires. Yet it happens that, while reading Scripture in the middle of a confusing season, he will appear to speak directly. One wonders “should I act now or wait?” That morning’s devotional verse is “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope” (Psalm130:5). A calendar at work reads, “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Psalm27:14). A card arrives in the mail from a friend. “Thinking of You” with a verse “The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him” (Lamentations3:25). Is it possible the Lord is saying “wait”? Obviously, one would want to explore these verses more carefully in context, but believers often report that God has used Scripture to get their attention and to provide the security they need to believe this washis direction, not their own. Through Other Believers Tania Harris recommends that we listen to wise counsel from friends; people who can “see through the fog that is created by your preferences and longings.” Good friends know each other well; teachers know their students. “Where there is no guidance, a peoplefalls, but in an abundance of counselors there is Of course, the writer refers to good and godly counsel. But the point is that Christians need the counsel of other people; a constant reliance on one’s own counsel is unhealthy. Paul teaches that “speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” (Ephesians4:15). The speaker, as part of a body of believers, would also hear that truth. While non-Christians can still impart wisdom, Western culture generally promotes self-reliance. If one wants to hear godly wisdom, this needs to come from people who are maturing in Christ; people who desire to obey God. Through Regular Prayer There is no guarantee that, during prayer, one will hear the voice or discern the direction of God regarding a specific issue. Oswald Chambers explained that “the biblical purpose of prayer is that we may get to know God Himself.” We pray in order to worship and praise the Lord; to come into his presence by the power of the Holy Spirit given us by the Risen Christ. Yet, the Lord in his mercy can and does speak to us through our prayers in words we hear as though from God. They might pop into one’s mind as a voice or a picture. How does one know this comes from God and not from a sinful longing? We must trust the Spirit. “In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Andthe peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians4:6-7). That peace comes from the Holy Spirit, and we recognize the Spirit’s voice when we ask God to inform the desires of our heart (Psalm37:4). Start there, praying for God’s will rather than our own. Follow the Lord’s prayer through praise, thanks, and confession before asking for anything. You Will Know God’s voice will be recognizable if we apply all the steps above. Confusion could be a mask for denial if the Lord’s voice is saying something, which is tough to hear. If one nurtures a regular relationship with God through prayer, study, and fellowship,one starts to recognize the Father’s voice. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John10:27). ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Can We Know God’s Will? It’s not up to you to make sure you are doing all the things that assure God’s will is going to happen. This will do nothing but frustrate, exhaust, and keep you self-focused. Finding God’s will does not have to be complicated. We have all listened to a sermon on Finding God’s Will for Your Life. You might have even read a book or two or scoured the internet looking for answers. (Maybe this is what lead you to this article.) There is this pressing human need to know that God is pleased with our choices. It eases our mind to believe that God has a big plan for our life — and for the universe. We want to make sure everything we do is good with Him. It sure would make things a lot easier if God would just tell us exactly what He wants us to do right now, with this decision. But is it even possible to know God’s will for our life? God Has Gifted You with His Will Eric Liddell was a Scottish athlete best known for winning in the 1924 Olympics. Even after refusing to run on a Sunday, thus, forfeiting his best event “The Flying Scotsman” still went on to win a gold medal. Eric then proceeded to become a missionary inChina. While there, he died inside an internment camp. The 1981 movie, Chariots of Fire, was made commemorating his Olympic story. Liddell is quoted to have said, “God made me fast and when I run, I feel His pleasure.” “Here’s how to determine God’s will for your life,” says English theologian, John Stott, “Go wherever your gifts will be exploited the most.” What is it you do that makes you feel connected to God? 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Rebekah DrumstaChristianity.com Contributing Writer Chess board We have all listened to a sermon on Finding God’s Will for Your Life. You might have even read a book or two or scoured the internet looking for answers. (Maybe this is what lead you to this article.) There is this pressing human need to know that God is pleased with our choices. It eases our mind to believe that God has a big plan for our life — and for the universe. We want to make sure everything we do is good with Him. It sure would make things a lot easier if God would just tell us exactly what He wants us to do right now, with this decision. But is it even possible to know God’s will for our life? God Has Gifted You with His Will Eric Liddell was a Scottish athlete best known for winning in the 1924 Olympics. Even after refusing to run on a Sunday, thus, forfeiting his best event “The Flying Scotsman” still went on to win a gold medal. Eric then proceeded to become a missionary inChina. While there, he died inside an internment camp. The 1981 movie, Chariots of Fire, was made commemorating his Olympic story. Liddell is quoted to have said, “God made me fast and when I run, I feel His pleasure.” “Here’s how to determine God’s will for your life,” says English theologian, John Stott, “Go wherever your gifts will be exploited the most.” What is it you do that makes you feel connected to God? What skills or natural abilities do you possess that makes you feel completely alive? What positions have you held where you knew you were using your gifts and resources to the max? Can you relate to the statement made by Eric Liddell? Humans Like to Complicate Things “Finding God’s will for your life” is a predominant theme in many churches. It’s even taught that because Jeremiah 17:9 exists, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” anything you desire may be tainted by your evil, sin-filled heart. Many teachers say that living a Holy, set-apart life is what opens you to the understanding of God’s will. They say holiness is the key to God revealing His will. Through Holy living, we shun sin and the appearance of evil. They also believe that by allowingsin into your life you can miss God’s will. Growing up in church, the illustration I remember most vividly is my children’s pastor walking along the stage and accidentally bumping into a chair. This, we were told, is how we find God’s will. We just bump into it — if we are doing all the things good Christians are supposed to do. It is the “if” that is the problem here. We all want someone to tell us what to do, it is easier that way. Having a road map, which gives us the planned stops and detour alerts is optimal, yet life does not come with a travel guide. Even what should be the most basic concept that a child understands, the Gospel of Christ, humankind has messed up by adding to it and requiring layers of doctrine to secure Salvation. I am here to tell you; my God is so powerful that nothing will stop His plan. My God is so amazing that even a donkey spoke actual words and pigs took a flying leap off a cliff. God does not need me to accomplish His purpose on the Earth. I cannot mess up His plan. Sure, I might initiate one of those detours, but the journey will always be completed. Remember this: It’s not up to you to make sure you are doing all the things that assure God’s will is going to happen. This will do nothing but frustrate, exhaust, and keep you self-focused. Finding God’s will does not have to be complicated. But once again, humans have tried to make a camel fit through the eye of a needle. (No, not the ancient city gate, an actual needle.) The burden placed on the shoulders of mankind has been great and it is a weight we should not carry. During a season of my life when I was stepping out by faith and entering new territory, I had an epiphany one day — God’s will is not something you do, it is something you become. This is where Psalm 37:4 again, proved true, “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Indoctrinated with the belief I had to do all the right things, the Holy things, the pure and set apart things, the list of dos and don’ts that kept me unspotted from the world (which translated meant, I had to work continually to please God) I never understoodthe simplest element — God loves me. That is it. I am loved — period. When a ministry is focused on teaching people all the things to do and not do — they miss out on a very important piece of human psychology and, God’s heart. You see, change does not come because of outward obedience and conformity. Change comes because of love. Live a Gospel-Centered Life Instead of being concerned with what you should do, focus on who you should be. Following your passion is bogus. Passions change. But following your purpose, that brings fulfillment, and may well include many passions over a lifetime. Scripture is full of recommendations for our lives — how we should treat people and behave is shown in the Beatitudes and the Golden Rule, to name a few. Might these apply to the decision you are about to make? Look at the behavior and actions of ChristHimself. How did Jesus set the example for us? No matter where you go, what you do, where you live, or what title you hold — as a Christ-follower — your first goal should be your primary life purpose, to live out the Gospel of Jesus. It is one of the things we know for sure is God’s will. Just look at 1 Timothy 2:3-4, “This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” VISIT: PROPHECY WATCHER WEEKLY NEWS: HTTP://PROPHECY-WATCHER-WEEKLY-NEWS.BLOGSPOT.COM