In this series we want to “learn how to hear the voice of God.” Many people in the church today, both the members and the ministers, do not know or recognize the voice of God.
The first question to ask with regards hearing the voice of God is, “Does God speak to man?” The answer is a resounding yes.
The Bible says, “Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. 2 And now in these final days, He has spoken to us through His Son…” (Heb. 1:1-2, NLT).
Both in the Old and the New Testaments God spoke clearly and specifically to people. Adam (Gen 2:16-17), Noah (Gen. 6:12-22), Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3, Gen. 12:10-11, 15-58, Gen. 22:1-2), Moses (Ex. 3:1-11), Samuel (1 Sam. 3:1-14), Isaiah (Isa. 6:8-9), Jeremiah (Jer. 1:5-19), Evangelist Philip (Acts 8:29-30), Ananias (Acts 9:10-17), Saul (Acts 9:4), Apostle Paul (Acts 16:6-7), Apostle Peter (Acts 10:13-16, 19-20) among many others received direct and specific commands and promises from the Lord, not vague impressions.
Listen to me beloved, you may not be a Moses, a Jeremiah, a Samuel or a Paul, but you are also as important to God. He created you for a purpose and He has a plan for your life (Jer. 29:11). He longs to communicate that His purpose for your life clearly to you. For instance, His purpose for Jeremiah was to be a prophet to the nations.
In Jeremiah 1:4-5 the Word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations."
As you learn to hear and obey the voice of the Spirit of God indwelling your spirit-man, you’ll have a direct and specific revelation concerning His will for your life at every stage.
God wants to speak to all His children, including you. The Holy Spirit within you receives messages from Jesus Christ in order to reveal the mind of God the Father concerning His plan and purpose for your life to you.
Here is the truth: God’s blessings are tied to your obedience to His voice. Therefore, without knowing or recognizing the voice of God, you can’t obey Him. And if you don’t obey Him, you can’t receive the blessings that He has ordained for you. It is your obedience to His voice that draws His blessings to your life.
God said, “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: 20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it” (Isa. 1:19-20).
Look at this example: Genesis 13:2 says, “And Abraham was very rich in cattle (livestock), silver and gold.”
In Genesis 24:1 the Bible says, “…and the LORD blessed Abraham in ALL THINGS.”
Why did God bless Abraham in all things? God blessed him in all things because Abraham was a man that knew the voice of God (Gen. 12:1-3; Gen. 13:14-17; Gen. 15:1; Gen. 17:1-21; Gen. 18:1; Gen. 22:1-2).
Therefore, to position yourself to possess the uncommon favour that God has ordained for you this year, you must be a man that knows the voice of God.
How then does God speak to man? God speaks to man in two main ways: (1) The primary way, and (2) The secondary ways.
Today, we will focus on “the first or primary way God speaks to man.” Though God speaks to His people in a number of ways, the most important and only infallible way that God speaks to people (both Christians and non-Christians) is through the Holy Bible. The Bible is the thoughts of God written down on the pages of the Scriptures.
BIBLE means “Blessed Information Bringing Life Eternal.” It is God communicating His very thoughts to you through the printed pages of the Scriptures. If you desire to know what God thinks on any particular issue, you should seek the answer in the Words of the Holy Scriptures.
Therefore, don’t waste your time seeking God to give you an inner voice of His Holy Spirit on whether to marry an unbeliever or not because God has given you the answer already in His Word written in the pages of the Holy Scriptures (2 Cor. 6:14). The Bible is the only totally true and reliable source that God speaks to people.
In 2 Peter 1:19-21 the Bible says, “We have also a more sure (confirmed) word of prophecy, whereunto you do well that (to) take heed, as unto a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the morning star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophets themselves or because they wanted to prophesy. It was the Holy Spirit who moved the prophets to speak from God.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do.”
Beloved, if you want to know and hear God consistently, you must fill your thoughts, purposes and actions with His Word (Ps. 1:1-3; Josh. 1:8).
Isaiah 26:3 says, “God will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Him, because he trusts in God.”
As you study and meditate on the Word continuously, all the things that are contrary to the will of God will be knocked off your heart, and replaced with the living Word of God.
The more the Word of God you have in your subconscious mind, the more accurately you can hear the voice of God because you will prove what is that good, acceptable, and perfect will of God (Rom. 12:2).
The Bible is God’s revelation of Himself through the writings of the prophets. Look at Jesus’ Words about the importance and finality of the Scriptures, “For ever, O LORD, thy Word is settled in heaven” (Ps. 119:89).
In Isaiah 55:8-11 God said, “…For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”
Jesus emphasized that if a man-made religious opinion or doctrine (teaching) conflicts with the teachings of the Holy Scriptures, then that religious opinion, no matter how logical it may appear to be, must be disregarded (Matt. 7:5-9).
Apostle Paul stuck to the Scriptures as the final authority for all his decisions. In Romans 15:4 the Bible says, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”
Psalm 119:105 says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
“The entrance of thy Words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple” (Ps. 119:130).
As the Words are taught, they give light and even the simple can understand them.
You must therefore, stick to the Scriptures as your final authority when you are taking decisions concerning any area of your life. There are three ways God speaks to you through His Word. He can speak to you through:
a) Interpretation and application: This is the meaning of a passage of the Scripture and its relevance to you at a given time. On any issue God speaks to you by this method, you need no further visions or voices. For instance, if you are sick see James 5:14-16. If you want to prosper see Luke 6:38 etc.
b) Jumpy Words: A passage or part of it could take a peculiar hold on you. It could hit straight at your point of need or problem. It is like the passage jumps into you. That very passage remains in your heart, mind and feelings much longer than mere interpretation and application would do. For instance, you were sick and you have been prayed for but the symptoms appear to persist. Then see 2 Corinthians 5:7; Romans 8:6-7; Romans 1:17; Hebrews 10:38.
c) Reference Passages: In a confusing situation where you need a quick decision, you could be referred to a passage of the Bible through a dream, a voice, help Bibles or a Spirit-led counsellor.
For instance, someone who is not Born Again comes to marry you and you need a quick decision, God may refer you to 2 Corinthians 6:14-16.
Your church before you got Born Again was Cherubim and Seraphim. And after you got Born Again you needed to decide quickly whether to continue to go there or stay in House of Glory. In this case God may refer you to 2 Corinthians 6:18 and Revelations18:4.
You desire to embrace a lady who is not your wife. God may refer you to Proverbs 5:20. You were considering lying about a particular issue. God may refer you to Revelations 21:8.
Therefore, to develop your hearing and recognizing the voice of God through His Word, you MUST prayerfully study the Bible with great diligence and expectation (Col. 3:16; 2 Tim. 2:15).
The fuller you are of the Word of God, the quicker you can hear and recognize His voice.
Watch out for the next edition of Good News from the Pulpit!
- Your friend: I. I. MADUBUNYI (Senior Pastor) 4th July, 2021.
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