HOW DOES GOD SPEAK TO
YOU?
As a
minister of the gospel, it has often been asked to me, “How do you hear from
God?” or “How does God speak?” Serving an invisible God, it may certainly seem
challenging to hear from him or even more to know if what we are hearing is him
at all. If there were a cut and dry answer, I’m sure these types of questions
would cease to be asked. Yet there is not. We must sift through the myriad of
distractions and messages coming at us from all directions and recognize the
truth that God definitely speaks to his people. How do we do this? I have some
practical suggestions, but beyond that, I would like to discuss ways we can
know God is speaking to us. Ultimately, it is up to us individually to make
that determination. Nonetheless, being mindful of certain things regarding God
speaking will greatly aid in our ability to perceive God’s voice to us both
individually and corporately.
The Bible
I think the
most obvious way in which God speaks to us is through the Bible. Bear in mind
that the word spoken of in Scripture is Jesus Christ, not only the text of the
Bible, i.e. the Bible is the word because it centers around the person and work
of Jesus; Jesus is superior to the Bible because he indeed is the very one who spoke
it. For that reason, we can trust Scripture. We can trust it and rely on it. If
Jesus is right, then the Bible is right. When discerning whether God is
speaking, we should be ever-cognizant of the fact that when God speaks, he
never contradicts his word, e.g. he will not tell a spouse to abandon their
marriage. That is not to say that there are no grey areas. Undoubtedly, there
are times when interpretation comes into play. The Bible, nevertheless, should
be the primary tool used for God to speak to us. In fact, I would suggest that
the Bible should be the first place we turn to hear God speak. Rest assured
also that when we read the text of Scripture, God speaks each time. The
question then is whether we are listening and willing to obey. God speaks through
the Bible.
Prayer
In addition
to the Bible is prayer. God speaks through prayer on both a personal and a
corporate basis. Prayer is the channel through which God communicates with his
people. Where the Bible is God speaking to us, prayer involves us also speaking
to him. It is not giving him a list of wants but rather dialoging with the
Father through the mediation of Jesus Christ and in the power of the Holy
Spirit. Sometimes we may not know what to pray; that is where the Spirit’s
guidance is vital. More than a mere feeling, God speaks to us in a still small
voice as he did to Elijah in 1 Kings 19. The question again then is whether we
are listening and willing to obey. Additionally, as already mentioned, God’s
messages to us in prayer will never contradict his already and forever written
word, namely the Bible, which will stand forever.
Your Brain
Beyond the
Bible and prayer, there exists some ambiguity. When we measure the means
through which God is speaking against Scripture though, the ambiguity becomes
clarity. God gave us brains to use and to discern what he is saying. Not to
take faith out of the equation, there are times when logic is involved. We must
be careful with the fine line here though, for often, faith begins where logic
ends. Our brains should never override Scripture or faith. Furthermore, we
should never forget that God often calls us to do what may seem (to the
faithless) irrational. This is proven in the abundance of times he did so in
Scripture. Our brain, however, is a tool and a tool that should be used for the
glory of God. If we have an idea that does not contradict Scripture, it could
very well be from God. Use your brain; think through issues; and make the best
decision.
Your Desire
Psalm 37:4
says to delight in the Lord and he will give you the desire of your heart. This
might be easily misunderstood to mean that he will give you what you want. It
is simpler than that though. Upon the foundational step of finding all delight
and satisfaction in God, we soon discover that nothing else matters. Therefore,
what he wants becomes our desire. The psalmist then intends to point out that
God places the desire itself in your heart. If you seek God and if he is your
sole delight, your desires are placed within you for a reason; don’t neglect
them. It could be that God is speaking to you through the desires he has placed
within you. What we must know with certainty then is whether our complete
delight and trust is in God.
Unexplainable Peace
Paul tells
the Philippians, “. . . the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7). The leadership of
God is not something we must try to achieve; it is a perpetual fact, i.e. he
continuously leads us whether we realize it or not. Disobedience does not
happen because God is not leading. He is leading, but we choose to disobey. The
peace of Christ, similarly, continuously guards our hearts and minds. It moves
beyond human understanding because it is not from human logic; it is rather
from God. The peace of God then is often cannot be explained. One can possess
the peace of God even in the most tumultuous situation. The peace of God exists
always. We, his people, have it, but do we allow ourselves to be governed by
it? We are not promised ease; in fact, we are promised quite the opposite. Yet,
God’s peace exists still. It is unexplainable, but when we allow ourselves to
be moved and controlled by God’s peace, we hear God in no uncertain terms. More
than a feeling, the peace of God grants us certainty in uncertain times. God
speaks through his unexplainable peace.
Recurring Thoughts, Ideas, and Dreams
Finally,
God continues to grant recurring thoughts, ideas, and dreams. Nowhere in
Scripture are we told that God has ceased speaking to people in these manners.
While they might be rare (as they were in the Bible as well), God still speaks
through these mechanisms. I have built a foundation upon which God speaks here
beginning with the Bible and prayer. Going back to the Bible, when God speaks
through thoughts, ideas, and dreams, they will not contradict the text of
Scripture. If your delight is in the Lord, the thoughts and ideas you have,
like desires, could be from God so don’t disregard them. God places these items
in our minds for a purpose.
God’s Messages are Often Personal So You Must Determine What to Do with
Them
I’ve given
some practical ways God speaks to us. The truth is, however, that we must each
discern whether God is speaking to us. It is not said often, but sometimes God
gives us choices, and one or the other is not wrong; either choice could be
fine. The determination must be made by us. God speaks to his people
individually and corporately. It is typical to have to discern whether God is
speaking to us. God is speaking; the question then is whether we are listening
and prepared and willing to hear and obey.
