How do we know it’s God speaking?
First of all, by faith. Jesus said, “My sheep listen to My voice.” That means He will speak to us.
Here is a test to measure what you hear:
- Does it honor the lordship of Jesus in your life?
Does it bring glory to Jesus? (Or does it not dishonor Jesus?) John 16:14.
- Does it align with the Scriptures?
Is it Scripture (quoted exactly or paraphrased)? Does it agree with scriptural principles?
- Does it promote the fruit of the Spirit? Gal. 5:22-23.
Is it characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? Does it encourage you to be more like Jesus?
- Is it encouraging and comforting? 1 Cor. 14:3
How often should we listen for God’s voice?
A convenient time to listen and journal what you hear God speaking is during your prayer time or quiet time.
But [Jesus] answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
–Matthew 4:4 NKJV
That’s the spoken word.
Matthew 6:11 NKJV: “Give us this day our daily bread.”
Job 23:12b NIV: “…I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.”
Hebrews 4:7b NKJV: “… ‘Today, if you will hear His voice’…”
What do we do with what we hear?
“This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you.’ ”
–Jeremiah 30:2 NIV
Get a notebook. Write the date, the time, and any circumstances surrounding your listening time. Then listen and write what the Lord says.
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
–James 1:22 NIV
Do not be hasty and run ahead of the Lord. But be willing to obey and be changed by what He tells you.
Don’t expect everyone else to fall in line because you heard God. God confirms His will through the mouths of many witnesses. His word is primarily for you.
What are the benefits of hearing and heeding God’s voice?
Proverbs 8:34 NIV: “Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.”
John 3:29 NIV: “‘The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. …’ ”
Proverbs 1:33 NKJV: “‘But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil.’ ”
Psalm 81:13–14 NIV: 13 “If my people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways, 14 how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!”
I pray that you’ve been blessed by this series and that you cultivate and continue to hear the voice of the Lord for yourself. God bless you.
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Lee Allen Howard 