In our last blog, we shared about hearing the voice of God. It is the still small voice within. (1 Kings 19:12). Let me say that I’m still growing and I haven’t walked in this perfectly. Hearing God’s voice should not be foreign to believers in Christ. Hearing God’s voice within should be a normal experience. Again the Word of God is always our foundation for worship and practice. We talked about Samuel when he was young and the Word of the Lord came to him. He didn’t recognize the voice of God right away. He thought Eli the priest was calling him. 1 Samuel 3:8-9 (NKJV)-8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. Then he arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you did call me.” Then Eli perceived that the LORD had called the boy.9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, ‘Speak, LORD, for Your servant hears.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. So Samuel went and did as he was told. 1 Samuel 3:10 (NKJV)-10 Now the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.” Isn’t it wonderful that God knows us by name? The Bible doesn’t say if this was the audible voice of God but I think it was. God can do that at times. We see this in the life of Jesus when God spoke audibly at Jesus’s baptism and the Transfiguration. (Matt 3:17, Matt 17:5). For believers today who have the Holy Spirit. We don’t need the audible voice of God always because we have the witness of the Holy Spirit within and we have the Word of God. Romans 8:14 (NKJV)-14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Hearing the audible voice of God is an exception and not the rule. We shouldn’t seek it but be open to whatever God wants and how He communicates. Remember God is speaking to us every day through the Word of God!
We see in John’s gospel an interesting account of the voice of God. John 12:28-30 (NKJV)-28 Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.”29 Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to Him.”30 Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. The people thought the voice of God was thunder or an angel. They didn’t recognize it as the voice of God. This brings me back to the point I made before that recognizing God’s voice, that still small voice within requires a constant intimate relationship with God and His Word.
What does that still small voice within sound like?
That is a good question. Again there are many voices in the world. There is the voice of our flesh, the Devil, our hearts and desires, etc. At times believers will say, ” Is that me I’m hearing, is it the Devil, or is it God? We struggle with this because of the lack of confidence in our relationship with God. Whatever we hear has to align with the Word of God. It will produce peace in our hearts. If it leads to fear, pride, or selfishness we can discern that it is not from God. Look at James 3:14-18 (NKJV)-14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. If it brings confusion it is never God. If it goes against God’s character and nature it isn’t God. God is not the author of confusion but of peace. Honestly, we will miss it at times because we are all growing in discerning God’s voice. God is forgiving and He doesn’t give up on us! (Lam 3:21-23). Let’s get back to our question about what the voice of God sounds like.
If you are preaching and teaching God’s Word or sharing with someone God’s Word. What does it sound like? It sounds like you. It’s your voice. If you prophesy by the Holy Spirit, who does it sound like? It sounds like you. It’s your voice. If you give a Diverse Kind of Tongue by the Spirit and give an Interpretation who does it sound like? It’s you and it’s your voice. The Holy Spirit uses your voice. If you are Baptized in the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues what does it sound like? It is you, your voice.
When it comes to that still small voice within what does it sound like? It sounds like you!
God uses your voice to speak to you. Usually in the first person(speaker) rather than the third person. Again some say your conscience is the voice of your human spirit which has been sanctified in Christ through the New Birth. This intuitive knowledge of knowing right from wrong. (Rom 2:15, Rom 9:1). I believe our conscience has been sanctified and set apart for God’s glory if we have been Born Again. We strive to keep a good conscience through the Word of God and right believing. (Acts 24:16). The voice of God will always line up with His Word and produce a sense of peace in your heart. (Isaiah 26:3). That is why it is important to know the Word of God. To study the Word of God. In Romans 8:16 (NKJV)-16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. If you hear a voice within that makes you doubt you are a child of God it is the Devil. It could also be a lack of assurance of God’s Word in your life. If you feel condemnation it is not God! (Rom 8:1). The Holy Spirit will testify of the truth of God’s Word that you are a child of God. It is not a matter of how you may feel at times. We walk by faith and not by sight or our five senses. ( 2 Cor 5:7). The Holy Spirit will always lead us in truth. He is the Spirit of truth! John 16:13-14 (NKJV)-13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.
Psalm 143:10 (AMP)-10 Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; let Your good Spirit lead me into a level country and into the land of uprightness.
Isaiah 48:17 (AMP)-17 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you in the way that you should go.
Yes, we need to test what we are hearing at all times with God’s Word. John 4:24 (NKJV)
24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” It is with our five senses that we connect the world around us. It is with our spirit, our sixth sense that we connect with the Spirit of God. I have found that praying in tongues regularly helps me to be more sensitive to the voice of God within.( Jude 20, 1 Cor 14:15). Reading the Word, praying, and fellowshipping with Father God makes us more God conscience. Unfortunately many are more flesh and worldly conscience. They are going by their feelings and five senses. Romans 8:5-6 (NKJV)-5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. If we learn to walk in the love of God which is walking in the Spirit we will hear the Father’s lovely voice leading us.
The Word of God and the still small voice are all about life and peace.
As we grow in this area at times we will want God to confirm what He is saying to us. I know how this can be. Our heart is that we don’t want to miss God. We want to obey Him. The Devil will never tell you to witness to someone. God’s Word tells us to be a witness even if we don’t hear that still small voice prompting us. In other things, I don’t think it’s wrong to ask God for a confirmation of some sort. A scripture or a Christian friend’s counsel. (Prov 11:14). We grow in our trusting and obeying. Let us say in faith and boldness what Samuel said, “Speak, LORD, for Your servant hears. An attitude and expectancy of hearing the voice of God makes a difference. What you set your mind on continually makes a difference. God wants us to be more conscience of Him than sin or flesh conscience. Genesis 3:8-9 (NKJV)-8 And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” This is after Adam and Eve had sinned.
God went looking for them.
I wonder what it sounded like when the Lord was walking towards them. Even when we sin and fall short God doesn’t stop wanting to fellowship with us! He knows where we are at every minute. He wants to communicate with us because He loves us even when we sin and fall short. In closing: They say that practice makes perfect. Learning to recognize the stillness of God’svoice is an ongoing journey. Hebrews 5:13-14 (NKJV)-13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. The Word of God is our roadmap, our filter. It is the plumb -line for our lives and it greatly influences our conscience in a godly way. The Word of God is a discerner of our thoughts, desires, and intents. ( 2 Tim 3:16, Heb 4:12). Isaiah 30:21 (NKJV)-21 Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left. The leading of God has moved from the outside to the inside. ( Ex 13:21). Instead of looking for an external sign, look for the witness of the Holy Spirit within. What is God saying in your heart or spirit? God wants to speak to you Spirit to spirit. You are one with the Lord. ( 1 Cor 6:17). Romans 8:14 (AMP)-14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. You are a son and a daughter of God and you should expect to be led by God. It is a matter of assuring our hearts before Him daily. (1 John 3:19-21). Join with Samuel, Moses, Apostle Paul, and others throughout the ages who have enjoyed intimacy with God the Father and being led by Him. Keep growing and maturing in this area. Be confident that God is speaking always to you!
John 10:4-5 (NKJV)-4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”
In Christ’s Love;
Brent and Linda Bushen
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