Hearing From God

What happens if all you do is pray, and you don’t hear from God? What you end up having is a one-way relationship which isn’t a relationship at all. What’s interesting about this scenario is that if we understood that God is eager to talk to us, we would view prayer differently. We would intentionally pause and have moments of silence to allow God a moment to speak to us. But, once you do this, the question that unravels is, how do I know that it’s God who’s talking to me? How do I know it is God’s voice?

These are valid questions, questions that require devotion and commitment. Why? Because the ears cannot hear what the mind doesn’t know. In other words, you must learn how God speaks, and you must get to know who God is through scriptures. If you know who He is and how he speaks, then you’ll know when it is Him talking to you.

How do I find time to spend with God?

2 Timothy 1:7, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.”

There is a reality that we cannot shun. There is no such thing as, “I don’t have enough time.” Why? Because you make time for the things, you value. If you don’t value a relationship with God, you won’t dedicate any time to nourishing it. However, let’s say that you do desire to cultivate a relationship with God but lack discipline, then you must practice reading scriptures and praying every morning and every night.

Joshua 1:8, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then, you will be prosperous and successful.”

The more you practice an activity, the more it becomes a habit. And the moment it becomes a habit, then it forms a part of you, becoming second nature. You must live an intentional spiritual lifestyle. Practice being intentional about prayer and reading scripture. Plan your days and if it’s not something that you’re used to doing, then it’s time to get organized. Plan and live intentionally. If you’re not living an intentional life yet, then that’s an indication that it’s time to bring order into your days.

How do you position yourself to hear from God?

2 Corinthians 12:9, “But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.”

You must position yourself in a stance of surrender because it’s when you surrender to your intelligence and knowledge that you welcome God. When you relinquish your ego and accept that you need God’s wisdom, then you open a path for God to manifest himself in you. God’s power works best in our weakness; in other words, he works best when you make yourself vulnerable. Surrender to your faith and decide to believe in His wisdom as your only option.

How to discern God’s voice?

Let’s say that now you’re praying and you’re always having all these conversations in your head constantly. You live in your mind, so now you must discern if your thoughts are God's thoughts and if God is the one speaking to you. You must test your thoughts and opinions against God’s impressions. When you receive a thought, ask yourself the following questions:

· Does it make me more like Jesus?

· Does it stand against scripture, or does it agree with it?

· Can I communicate it with others, family, and friends from church?

· Is it consistent with how God has shaped me? Your spiritual gifts, your personalities, your experiences, etc.

· Is it aligned with your God-given purpose?

· Is the thought convicting or condemning?

· Do you sense God’s peace in it?

Ask yourself these questions, and if one of them does not coincide, then the thought isn’t from God. Be vigilant about your thoughts and understand that all that is good and righteous comes from above and anything that defiles God isn’t from Him. Pursue a relationship with God and you’ll encounter His presence, and you’ll discern His divine plans for your life.