Excellent Answer To An Important Question:
Question: "How do you know when God is speaking to you?" From GotQuestions.org.
Answer: This question has been asked by countless people throughout the ages. Samuel heard the voice of God, but didn't recognize it until he was instructed by Eli (1Sam.3:1-10). Gideon had a physical revelation from God and he still doubted what he had heard, to the point of asking for a sign, not once but three times (Judges chapter 6, esp.vs.17-22, 36-40)! When we are listening for God's voice, how can we know that He is the one speaking? First of all, we have something that Gideon and Samuel did not. We have the complete Bible, the inspired word of God, to read, study and to meditate on. "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2Tim.3:16-17). Do you have a question about a certain topic or decision in your life? See what the Bible has to say about it. God will never lead you or direct you contrary to what He has taught or promised in His Word (Titus 1:2). A topical Bible, which lists Bible verses by many different subjects, can be helpful with this.
Secondly, to hear God's voice we must recognize it. Jesus said "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me" (John 10:27). I can personally relate to this verse, except the animals involved are cattle. My father-in-law owns a small ranch in Colorado. Whenever we go out to visit, I can count on, at least once a day, driving out with him to check on the herd. My father-in-law can step out of the truck, call a few gentle words, and soon the pickup is surrounded by cows, eagerly awaiting a mouthful of hay or a scratch behind the ear. But if I so much as open the door on my side of the truck, there will be cattle scattered from one end of the pasture to the other. So what's the difference? The cattle are with my father-in-law at least once, and sometimes two or three times, a day. Because of their daily encounter with the one that feeds and cares for them, the cows are comfortable with him, and they can immediately recognize a stranger among them. If we are to know God's voice, we must spend time with Him daily.
Be sure that you are spending quality time daily in prayer, Bible study and quiet contemplation of His Word. There are no magic numbers or formulas for this. Talk to some other Christians that you admire and find out what they are doing in this regard. Your local Christian book store will have many different books on spiritual disciplines that can help. Find what works for you and then make the time for it. The more time you spend intimately with God and His Word the easier it will be to recognize His voice. God speaks to us so that we may understand truth. He speaks primarily through His Word, but sometimes also through the Holy Spirit to our consciences, through circumstances and through other people. By applying what we hear to the truth of Scripture, we can learn to recognize His voice.
Another Recommended Resource: Hearing God's Voice by Henry & Richard Blackaby.
1:39:57 PM 
|
|
