Learning to Hear God's Voice

“For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it.” (Job 33:14)

Three Foundational Truths

• God desires a real and personal Relationship with us

• You can’t have a good relationship without Communication

• In Christ you have the Capacity to hear God communicate

How Does God Communicate To Us?

1. Through the Bible

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16–17)

We should approach the Scriptures with a spirit of anticipation!

The Spirit of God will take the Word of God and speak to me about the Will of God.

2. Through Prayer

“pray without ceasing,” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Prayer is Two-way communication with God

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26)

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth,” (John 16:13)

Two Extremes To Avoid:

• Rationalist – Denies God ever speaks thorough our minds

• Mystic – Thinks that every impression/idea they get is from God

Warning: Test what you think you hear from God!

3. Through the Church

“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” (1 Corinthians 12:12)

“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4:15–16, ESV)

We will hear God most clearly when we are connected in Community

Within The Body of Believers, God Uses:

• Gifted Teachers

“And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13)

• Wise Counsel

“Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.” (Proverbs 15:22)

4. Through Circumstances

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5–6)

“And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?”
(Hebrews 12:5–7)

Caution: Never determine the truth of a situation by merely looking at your circumstances. You cannot know the truth of any circumstance until you have heard from God.

As you seek to listen to God ask:

• What is God saying to me through His Word?
• What is God saying to me through prayer?
• Is God confirming this through wise counsel and gifted teachers?
• Is God confirming this through circumstances?

“As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” (Hebrews 3:15)