Hearing God

There are several things that God’s Word instructs us to do to make sure we are hearing “HIS” voice and not the voice of the enemy of our souls, the world, or our own voice. Is there a litmus test? Yes. Did we really hear God? He tells us that “my sheep hear my voice” (John 10:27). He gave us safeguards to make sure we heard correctly. He knows we are but flesh.

The Bible tells us that “our hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked, who can know it”? (Jeremiah 17:9). I don’t trust myself to hear God’s voice perfectly on all things. God already told me I would hear many voices and that my heart gets in the way. 1 John 4:1 states: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God.” My mind and emotions and experiences many times get in the way of hearing clearly to make proper decisions. We need to follow the safeguards laid out in God’s Word.

PRAY. That is number one. When I need direction from God and I hear something I believe is His direction, it has to line up with His Word.

Did He give me an answer for what I was praying for? Luke 11:11-13 says, “If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” The Bible tells us that “…He will guide you into all Truth” (John 16:13). If you believe you heard Him correctly, follow His other directions in the Word.

Did I pray in faith? Hebrews 11:6 tells us: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

Did I pray in agreement with someone? “Where two agree as touching any one thing it shall be done” (Matthew 18:19). The Bible says that “one puts a thousand to flight, but two puts 10,000 to flight” (Deuteronomy 32:30). Praying in agreement is ten times stronger.

Did I let someone “bear my burden and so fulfill the law of Christ” with me? (Galatians 6:2).

Did I seek wise, godly counsel?
Proverbs 15:22 - “Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.”
Proverbs 1:5 - “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels”.
Proverbs 12:15 -“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.”
Proverbs 20:18 - “Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.”
Proverbs 11:14 - “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.”

Did I seek confirmation? The Scripture tells us that “in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established” (2 Corinthians 13:1).

Is there peace? Follow peace. 2 Timothy 2:22 states: “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart”. Hebrews 12:14 tells us to: “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord”.

In the times we are living, with all the voices, even though we hear His voice, the Bible tells us that even the very elect will be deceived. Matthew 24:24 tells us “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” The Word has given us these safety nets so we can know His voice in decisions we make.

So, for example, if someone tells me they spent the weekend alone with God, and God gave them direction, I want to hear what God has said to them. But I also want to know if they followed His safeguards in their decisions as well. Because, they were also alone with their own thoughts with plenty of time to think and dwell on situations, people, circumstances, etc. His Word is His Word…verbal, written, or by spiritual impressions. His Word is alive inside of us. Let’s confirm His Word to make sure we are walking in His Word.

If someone has to give reasons and excuses along with “hearing His voice”, are they looking at circumstances? Circumstances are not the litmus test of God’s voice. Did they really hear Him? Or are they following experiences, feelings or heart?...that deceitful thing…that desperately wicked thing.

Just remember, whatever the situation is in your life, you can’t take a misstep in direction that He can’t fix. He will get us back on the narrow path if we submit to Him and let “His Word be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path” (Psalm 119:105). Let His "Word" lead you.