Part 2 Discerning God's Voice

[Chuck7]

After reading Leaf's reply I think this deserves some time..He mentioned some hinderances and mentioned the need to be at a place to recieve..

Chad mentioned God not being a respector of persons and why would one be picked over another in hearing..

There is alot to be said here for our own edification as well as the readers of our post and replies..I'm very busy now but will leave off here with a few questions??

1. Does the Word give us examples or instructions on "HOw to have ears to hear?"

2. What are some reasons that folks don't hear from God's
Spirit?

3. Because the voicesare inward,how can we minimize the confusion ?

God bless,
Chuck7

[Leafrivermac]

Because the voices are inward,how can we minimize the confusion ?

Do they correspond with what I read in the Bible? Are they consistant with the charactor of Jesus? Will the application bring peace and encouragment? Do they sit well on my soirit? Do they lead to life or death . . . in the broadest sense? Do I feel the annointing?

2. What are some reasons that folks don't hear from God's
Spirit?

Self, disobediance,self, lack of a prayer life, self, following man rather than seeking God, self, not listening, self.

[Chuck7]

Thanks Leaf..and great answers ..kind of in a hurry now..just checking in..
I plan to comment on all of your thoughts..excellent word there.
C7

[Chuck7]

1. Does the Word give us examples or instructions on "HOw to have ears to hear?" Yes ..we see Jesus fasting for 40 days...the disciples often fasted in Actsto get direction..as Leaf said.."Getting to a place to recieve." Jesus said "The flesh is weak byt the Spirit is willing." Our daily job is to mortify the flesh and submit to God..As Rev..said in another post..If you do something enough it can be a habit.Why not start some good habits?? Giddeon was a man of God...yet he wasn't certain of God's voice so he laid out a fleece. Another brother mentioned "My sheep hear my voice." Some of us were brought up singing the old hymns..and maybe we adopted some of them verses as theology..I know I have..Example.."And He walks with me and He talks with me ..and He tells me I am His own." I play that and beleive that. Why fast if the Word is all we need. Certainly we are not doing it as a sacrifice to buy a blessing..we are simply trying to clear the distractions away so we can have ears to hear..The death of Christ is the only sacrifice acceptable anyway..The prayers , obedience and fastings are simply products of us exercising our faith.

2. What are some reasons that folks don't hear from God's
Spirit? Leaf hit on these..from my own life..Sin..according to Isaiah is what separates us from God..Peter says bitteness at your wife will hinder prayers..Jesus said..unbeleif ....Job..hadto wait on God patiently...also in Daniel..the angel said your prayer was heard...it took 21 daysto deal with the forces of evil...to bring back the answer. ...For me...one thing SIN!!! and sin can ship wreck your faith...and our communication line is FAITH ..

3. Because the voicesare inward,how can we minimize the confusion ?
Look what Leaf said..
Do they correspond with what I read in the Bible? Totally...my inward voice wanted ot hunt this morning..did that line up with God's Word..NO !! I hashed through going about 5 times..andGod's Word is the final authority..WE listened to Stanley and Hayford..Hayford ticked me off..He had a wonderful sermonand it continues next week.Are they consistant with the charactor of Jesus? Super good one here...Jesus spoke volumns without a Word..simply his charcater..alot could be said here..Will my decision cause peopleto see Jesus ?Will the application bring peace and encouragment? ..Yep..God is not hyper..or quick and rash..Let's look at James3..
James 3:17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.


Do they sit well on my spirit? Great one Leaf...God's Word is sure..Do they lead to life or death . . .amen..Proverbs speaks about the words of a wise man bring life to others.in the broadest sense? Do I feel the annointing?
yep...Elijah felt that presence in "A still small voice." I had my own guide while in Israel..The Lord had me turn to this scripture..I did ..and shut up nearly the entire trip and drank the wisdom from the Holy Spirit..
Psalm 46 :10 10Be still, and know that I am God

[Soilarch]

Recently read a very good book The Pursuit of the Holy (Yeah, the name was borrowed from Tozer's books) I'll try to paraphrase it 'cause I think I would give a good answer to #1

1. Does the Word give us examples or instructions on "How to have ears to hear?" I think so, look at Proverbs 2

My son, if you receive my words,
And treasure my commands within you,
So that you incline your ears to wisdom,
And apply your heart to understanding,
Yes, if you cry out for discernment,
And lift up your voice for understanding;
If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will understand the fear of the LORD,
And find the knowledge of God.
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright....

We're given, in a sense, a step-by-step manual on how to hear God; How to know God.
Keep His commands (discipline)
Apply our hearts to understanding (Study the Word)
Lift up our voice (Prayer)
It then goes on to the "treasure analogy". Like Christ did with the parable. This can reinforce the priority of the above steps, and also encourage us to fast. We all understand that if you REALLY knew a treasure was in a field, everything else is put to the side...even our own fleshly desires. We would stop only to take what was necessary to sustain us. Steaks can gravy can wait when treasure is knocking!!! TV and sleep can wait, when finding something beyond value has been offered for our taking!!!

Jeremiah 6
After a call to repentance the LORD instructs Israel to "Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.' The reproach was due to Israel's sin, and contempt for God's ways. He even asks earlier during the rebuke, "To whom shall I speak and give warning, that they may hear? Indeed their ear is uncircumcised and cannot give heed." So we again know that hearing and following God are important and connected. And we are advised on how to go about it.

I think #2 has been covered. Seems like a harsh and dry-cut answer...but in reality, it's just that. The separation, from our fallen state before salvation, or our lack of "Keep his commands".

Can't really hit on #3. I think it's been covered pretty well too though. I do know we are promised "My sheep will hear my voice." I know that may be a little out of context and normal preaching on the passage, but think we can hold it as a promise also.

[Chuck7]

Thanks All,
After posting all of this ..I actually started having feelings of being overcome as I've got news my boy in the military is not doing so good.He's backslidden

I simply pulled the covers over my head and shut out the world for a while...My heart is broken and grieved. When I awake I was comforted with the fact that God is in control..I don't have to do anything but trust him.

In light of our recent conversation about how God communicates with us...honestly..anyway He feels..The greatest way was when I was a sinner ..He simply appeared to me in a vision with my eyes wide open. He spoke inside my conscience ot look a certain way..when I did He was there.That was 100% no if's or buts about it..Summary. relax in Him..do your best..
and He will
take care of the rest.

While I was ressting I recalled Leaf mentining annointing...He is right.Once God wanted ,me to give a message to 3 young people..I wasn't sure if it was God or not..I knealt down on th efloor and my entire back was very warm nearly hot..adn the words burned with in me..I immediately got up and gave teh message..That has only happened once.

In 1976 around Thanksgiving I was playing Have you been washed in the Blood. ...I still have the army hymnal..One of my top 3 prized possessions.5 black dudes stood about 10 feet from me saying "LOOK AT THAT GOD - - - - Fool! My hands began to shake and the still voice inside of me said"Keep playing for me son." I looked up at them while playing and a white light appeared..My inner man said "That doesn't belong there." My entire being was electrofied ...I shoved my guitar on a bed and fell ot my knees..There were no words to express the feeling I had as I screamed OH MY GOD!! and then for the first time I spoke in tongues freely..Then, themen left me alone.

God bless..You can probably see now why I pay attention to that small voice..it may be me or it may be God...but don;t be quick to dismiss it..learn to discern it.
C7

[sachiko]

I have never heard the Spirit speaking to me. But I know that I have been guided into certain actions because I have prayed and asked for just that guidance.

I have related this to my friends, none of whom are especially religious. Yet they all believe me and accept the fact that God can work in our lives.

I suspect that the awareness of God's presence in our lives may be more widespread than we realize.

[Snooky]

I have never heard the Spirit speaking to me. But I know that I have been guided into certain actions because I have prayed and asked for just that guidance.

Something guided you. What language does God speak? Does He thunder from heaven? Quietly whisper to our heart in a voice no one else can hear? Does he grab us, spin us around, kick us in the backside, ect.? Or does he gently nudge us in the way he wants us to go. What is meant by, Thou shalt hear a voice behind thee saying, this is the way, walk ye in it?

[Leafrivermac]

I know that I have a way about me that on more than one occasion has not served me well. My initial thoughts have not always been Godly. Now tho there is definatley a still small voice with me that if I heed to it always steers me in the right direction and always with a desirable outcome. Sometimes I even get accused of having wisdom . . .I'm only wise enough tho to listen.

[Chuck7]

I'm only wise enough tho to listen.
Leaf

I can relate,,