Hearing The Voice Of God

*1. How does God speak to you?*

A. A word, verse or passage pops up while reading God’s Word and you know it is God speaking to you.

B. A still small gentle voice or inner witness which can come as your heart feel a sense of comfort, assurance or impression that you know God is speaking to you.

C. You experience divine, supernatural peace in your heart, a strong and confident calmness felt within you knowing it is God speaking to you.

D. On occasions you can expect God speaks to you through dream and vision. In this form of divine communication, we are responsive and are free from distractions. Through these channels, God speaks to in a visual and pictorial way.

E. When you realise that what you are observing or experiencing externally or circumstantially, you know that God speaks to you through a specific situation at that point in time. It is confirmed with peace in your heart.

F. On some day when a friend, colleague, family member or someone you respect says something that resonates with your heart, you realise that God is speaking to you through them. You can also feel the peace of God upon reflection.

*2. Three common obstacles to hearing God speaks to you*

A. Unbelief

When you simply don’t think God can speak to you, this is called unbelief and you already switch off the communication channel between you and God.

B. Disobedience

The purpose for hearing God is about building a personal relationship with Him. And in any relationship, it can either grow or stagnant. The key to grow in our spiritual life and walk with God is to live a life of obedience to Him. He knows us intimately and wants the best for us. Disobedience simply hinders the growth of a healthy growing relationship by creating a spiritual distance between us and God.

C. Distractions

Everyone is prone to distraction which can have a far damaging effect on hearing the voice God than we think. We seldom reflect or meditate on our daily life, let alone the Word of God. As long as our mind isn’t still or relax, we will keep missing the gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit, even in very crucial and critical moments. Distractions are one of the worst enemies of these important spiritual disciplines to hear God - silence and solitude.

*3. Conclusion*

The more we obey God, the more we hear from Him and the more we grow in our relationship with Him. This is the joy of knowing God for through hearing Him shall we walk in His perfect will for our lives.

*Summary from a sermon by Jimmy Evans*