God speaking

[wiggins]

Just throwing out a question that has been kind of nagging me. I often hear other Christians saying God speaks to them or the Holy Spirit tells them something. I was wondering, what do people mean by that? Do they actually hear God's voice speaking to them or is it something else. Is it something they read, and a lightbulb goes on or what...? This is bugging me because, I want to be a strong Christian, and I look around me and many of the strong Christians I know have said God speaks to them...

[Gypsy]

Well, I can say I have never heard the audible voice of God. However, God does "speak" to my heart. It's deeper than an emotion or a feeling. An unmistakable sensation where both my heart and mind seem to be completely focused, and I can feel His Spirit working within me. It's ... not something I can easily describe.

This can happen when I'm praying, reading the Bible, worshiping Him, or just out of the blue. Again, it's not really a speaking voice, but it's Him giving me comfort, direction, or wisdom. Sometimes, His voice in my heart will impress upon me to pray about something, talk, or listen to someone. This voice is also directly linked to my conscience.

I guess I'm not sure how to answer your questions. My heart recognizes the "voice" of God. I know that it's not my ideas or emotions just conjuring things up. I can easily tell the difference between my imagination/desires with God's voice inside of me.

I'll look up some verses on the subject, ok?

[cbwing0]

I believe that God can speak to people in a number of ways. Here are some of the more prominent ones, although there are probably others that are useful to some people:

1.Prayer-Prayer is more than just "talking to God," it is communion with Him. In other words, it can be talking with God rather than to God. This does not mean that every time you pray, you should hear God speaking to you, but oftentimes if might be helpful to stop asking for things and listen to hear what God has to say. It probably won't be an audible voice--which is not to say that it cannot be--but you will be able to hear/understand it in your mind if nothing else.

2.The Bible-When you are reading the bible, you may want to take some time an meditate on a single passage/verse. Think about what it means rather than just skimming over it to meet your daily devotional quota. Do you find similar qualities between yourself and a biblical character? Good. Try to see how that can help you in your everyday life.

3.Worship-Just as God can speak through his Word, He can also speak through songs, music, or other forms of worship. A word of caution: most music carries emotions, so make sure that, if you think God is speaking to you through music that you're not just letting youself be swept away by a "good beat," or, in the case of Christian concerts, just closing your eyes, raising hands, etc, just because someone else thought that it would be a good idea for everyone. Of course you should always think about something you think is the Word of God. As you grow stronger in your faith, you will be more able to discern good from evil in this manner.

4.Christian works-That is, books, essays, and articles other than the Bible that deal with Christianity. Perhaps reading such works will say something in a new way that will help in your understanding of a difficult concept, or remind you of some aspect of following God that you had forgotten. Here too I must emphasize the necessity of discernment; so, make sure that you are actually thinking about the works, not just feeling justified after reading someone who agrees with you. You may find something valuable in opinions with which you are in disagreement.

5.Meditation-Some people may not agree with me on this one, but I think it is a valuable method of hearing God. This does not mean that you should practice traditional Buddhist/Hindu meditation, in which you focus on one word (that would probably fall under the category of "vain repetitions"). Even if you don't get some new profound revelation, taking some time out of your day to sit peacefully might help you. Then you would be in a better mood for the rest of the day, and it might be just a little easier to behave righteously.

What about everyone else? Do you "speak with God?" If so, how?

[Gypsy]

John 10:14-16 NLT says this:

14"I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, 15just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. 16I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice; and there will be one flock with one shepherd.

Other versions say "my sheep know my voice." I guess "hearing" God is something along the lines of this analogy:

I believe that each human is born with a basic sense of right and wrong. Our nature is sinful from birth, but when we accept Christ as our savior, the Holy Spirit comes into our heart and gives us a more defined sense of right and wrong. The Holy Spirit inside of us also acts as a sort of ... antenna, if you will. We become sensitive to God's leading because the Spirit that is in our hearts. There is one communicator between man and God, and that's Jesus Christ. (I'm trying not to get into an in-depth Tri topic ...) But when Christ ascended after His resurrection, He sent the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. Through the Spirit, our human hearts can communicate with God. In this way, we can hear His voice.

Just because you've never actually heard God speak doesn't mean He has never spoken to you. He speaks very clearly through His word. He can also use other people to speak to you with love. God's voice is not contained in an actual sound. Rather, it's on a Spiritual level that our physical bodies are not.

I have heard that God does speak audibly with some, and I fully believe that He's capable of it. Usually, these are extremely unique cases and testimonies. While I don't want to discredit them, I also believe that for the most part, God chooses not to speak to us in the physical sense. Our true being is our mind, spirit, and soul, and I believe that is where He communicates to us the most because of its deep and personal level.

I hope that helped.

[wiggins]

Thanks guys. I wasn't sure if posting a thread like this was appropriate because I was a fraid it might be too personal (maybe personal isn't the right word, but I hope you get what I mean). You guys rock!

About discernment... another of my problems is distinguishing between my own desires and what God wants. For example, when I go to do community work, I know God wants me to serve others, but how do I tell if I'm doing it for God because I love Him and He wants me to serve others or because I just want to feel good from helping others?

Also,maybe it is because I'm not a strong enough Christian, but my first thoughts when I'm about to do something are usually how that something affects me. Immediately after that I think of God. Maybe this shows that I am putting myself first. I don;t know, I want to put God first, but how do I govern the first thought that hits my mind?

[cbwing0]

how do I govern the first thought that hits my mind?

That's a good question. Let me know when you find the answer. I have the same problem. I don't think that there is a lot we can do about this, other than spending more time in prayer, reading the Bible, and other edifying things. In other words, it comes through "spiritual conditioning."

For example, when I go to do community work, I know God wants me to serve others, but how do I tell if I'm doing it for God because I love Him and He wants me to serve others or because I just want to feel good from helping others?

Perhaps you feel good about helping others because you are close to God. One of the indicators of faith is the object/s of our desires, so feeling good about helping others would be a good indicator of strong faith.

[Heaven's Cloud]

I believe that our Lord can put that's into your head and that can be one way of showing you that he is speaking to you.

To answer your question I think that you could always ask God for help. Maybe the reason your not putting God first is because you cannot find a way to interact with him. One way that might help is the ones other people have said, and that you pray, and maybe he'll answer in actions or so.

Sorry, I'm not all that great on giving advice.

[wiggins]

I do pray (regularly to me leastways)

[Gypsy]

About discernment... another of my problems is distinguishing between my own desires and what God wants. For example, when I go to do community work, I know God wants me to serve others, but how do I tell if I'm doing it for God because I love Him and He wants me to serve others or because I just want to feel good from helping others?

Well, it's completely natural to feel good when you know you're helping someone out. I think if you have the right heart about it, you can glorify God and expect to feel confident of yourself when you're serving others. God has called us to be servants. Jesus Himself washed his disciples' feet. I think you have a very good attitude about it, and it's excellent that you're thinking about the source of your actions. If it concerns you that much, just try praying about it before you do something for another. Just a simple "God, I want to do this for You. It doesn't matter if I receive no recgonition or thanks from it, because I am doing it to help another and to please You." Something like that will ensure you that your heart in the right place.

[quote="wiggins"]Also,maybe it is because I'm not a strong enough Christian, but my first thoughts when I'm about to do something are usually how that something affects me. Immediately after that I think of God. Maybe this shows that I am putting myself first. I don]

I don't think it's because you're not a strong enough Christian. As much as we talk about putting Christ and then others before ourselves, we cannot escape ourselves entirely. As much as we love God, I don't think that most of us can say He is the first thing that comes to our mind when things arise. He might be a millisecond behind the thought of ourselves, but He's still not the very first. I think it's awesome that you recognize this, and want to do something about it. Seeking after God's own heart will show your true self in ways that you never imagined.

As far as doing something and thinking of yourself first, and then God - to me, the more important thing is you did think of God. It's not really the order of the thought that is important, it's what your final decision and action is based on. Whatever you decide will show who was more important to you at the time.

I hope that makes sense.

[wiggins]

Makes plenty of sense! Thanks Gypsy! What are other peoples' thoughts on these?

Another question: The Bible says that the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit are three separate and different People (for lack of a better word), and one single Being (for lack of a better word again) at the same time. When you think of God, who do you think of God as? The Father? Jesus? The Holy Spirit? My understanding is that God is the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost, and the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost are one single almight being, God. When we pray Jesus says we pray to the Father and Jesus intercedes for us. But aren't the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit one and the same? (I hope this isn't confusing)

[madphilb]

Wiggins... good questions... shows you're seeking God out (form the looks of things).

As far as listening ot God I would suggest two books, but I can't think of the titles (interestingly enough, they come from very different viewpoints, but I think they complement each other nicely). The one I can remember, Hippo in the Garden by ummm... darn. cant' think of the name. He's the pastor over the guy who started Promise Keepers (or was). The other book I don't know the tile or author of, I'm hoping I can think of it sometime in the next day or two. He was a former Charasmatic and the book was never returned when it was loaned to an ex-pastor of mine (mostly due to some shots the author took at a south-african evangelist that was popular at the time)... what I liked about it was that the advice was sound. I didn't take his personal issues as a personal attack on me, but some people do (and I've been there, so I can understand how they feel, even if they should know better )

But I'm getting off track.

As for the 3 - in - 1 thing... it can be a bit confusing, and frankly in the end a complete understanding of it isn't necessary... it's a bit weird really, I think ultimately we get to the point where we just have to take the whole thing on faith... they are 3 people, but they are 1 person.

You will get all sorts of inturpretations of the situation... as from what I understand (over the years) is that God does all the foot-work (he answers the prayers, or delegates the work for the answering, or whatever)... Yeshua/Jesus is the authority by which we ask for things, thus the "ask in my name" scripture(s). The Holy Spirit is our guide... our teacher.

Over the years I've heard everything from "you should pray to each of them," to " you can pray to each of them," to "you should only pray to God." My personal opinion is that if it's one of those specifically God will call you out on it personally and correct you (unless you're doing something so far off base that you're no longer listening to him, but that's something different).

I'm sure non of my above ramblings are of any help, but.... there it is

Just as an aside (and to go with the first part of this thread)... I've had God speak to me in several ways... once audible (or semi-audible)... but I won't go into the details as it wasn't a good situation and if that's what it takes to get Him to speak to me like that, well, He can just keep quiet.

I've also had him speak to me in other ways, more sublte.

I think part of the "trick" to knowing if it's God is to "test" it (and I'm not talking about fleaceing). I don't consider God a high pressure salesman, you should have time to get counsel from other on issues as well as waiting for comfirmation on things (hearing the same thing 2 or 3 times from very different places).

There is also the issue of sorting out our feelings on things. I was very moved by a guest speakers call to reach out to the youth, the importance of it. I felt a strong pull on me, so I put my big toe in to test he waters.... for me... let me tell you, the waters where cold! I did a few things with the youth, including helping with being one of the adults to do the Aquire the Fire thing (including the sleep-over in the church between the nights).

It's just not my thing, it's not what I was called to. God may have been tugging on my heart for the youth, but it wasn't for youth ministry

Whoever said the Christian life is boring doen't know what they're talking about

Ok... enough rambling for now.. I'll go back to things I'm better qualified to not talk about

PHIL

[Spiritsword]

First of all, wiggins, thank you for asking these questions (or thanks to God for prompting you to do so!). I think these are issues that a lot of Christians have questions about, myself most definitely included. I still struggle quite often with hearing God's "still, small voice" in my heart and soul. I am a very intellectually-based person, and I seek answers through discourse and analysis. Listening to my heart is almost like listening to a foreign language. So the mode through which God is generally believed to speak is a mode of communication that is very difficult for me to perceive.

I agree with others, though, that God can speak to us in different ways, and He knows the best way to reach each of us. God has spoken to me through answered prayers, signs in my life, through books, and through Christian friends, as well as in other ways. And yes, at times He has spoken to my heart as well, or to my soul, but it is much more subtle (at least for me). And I too have trouble discrening what is God's will and what is my own at times. I just keep praying about it and trust in the Lord.

As for the Trinity, I guess from what others have said it is an issue of debate (although I really don't understand that--as far as I know there is one Biblical Truth and no reason for debate), so I will not go into detail on my beliefs here. But personally, I usually pray to God the Father, though at times I have prayed to Jesus or the Holy Spirit as well.

[cbwing0]

I've read a few thing on the trinity, and each of them had a different answer that supposedly solved the mystery. For some reason I can't remember the details of the works, but if you are interested, the book "The Christian God," by Richard Swinburne has a fairly technical philosophical explanation of the trinity, as well as some other tough theological doctrines.

Concerning prayer, I would recommend this site: http://www.carm.org/questions/pray_to.htm

I always pray to God in the name of Jesus.

As far as doing something and thinking of yourself first, and then God - to me, the more important thing is you did think of God. It's not really the order of the thought that is important, it's what your final decision and action is based on. Whatever you decide will show who was more important to you at the time.

A very good point. If only I could remember that, I might be able to follow Christ half of the time . It is the final decision that is important.

[Michael]

"My sheep know my voice." (I'm not sure wich verse that is, but I'll try to find it if need be)

God can speak to you any way he pleases. Don't forget that his mouthpiece is the Bible. It is him as well ("The word was made flesh for us,...), a reflection of him. A reflection that doesn't fully reveal him though.

[Gypsy]

"My sheep know my voice." (I'm not sure wich verse that is, but I'll try to find it if need be).

John 14:10. I posted it earlier.

[Michael]

Sorry, I skipped to the bottom without reading anyone's posts. I didn't copy you, really!

[EireWolf]

Gypsy and others have given you some good advice, but I'll add what I can. I do believe God speaks to each of us in different ways, and to me personally in different ways depending on the situation. I've only "heard" God's voice clearly once in my life. I was earnestly seeking him and praying for His will, and He sort of showed me a picture in my mind and I got the sense that He was saying, "This is what I want for you." It wasn't an "audible" voice, more like a strong directed thought that didn't come from me. Hard to explain.

Two other times He has spoken to me pretty clearly through other people; they said something out of the blue that was a Word from God. They had no idea what I was dealing with at the time, but God spoke through them exactly what I needed to hear. (Incidentally, these were within a month of each other and were about the same thing.) So, God can speak through people.

God has also used a dream to speak to me. I was going through a rough time, facing an uncertain future, and he sent a dream that comforted me and reassured me that He was with me, and I could rest easy and not fear. I knew it was from God... I couldn't tell ya how I knew, I just knew.

Usually though, for me, the "voice" of God is like a compulsion to do something. (Someone said it's a good idea to check things like this against the Bible, etc... I agree.) For example, last Sunday during worship, I suddenly started thinking of my art teacher, and got a strong sense that God wants me to talk to him about Him.

I hope this helps in some way. God knows you better than anyone else does, and He knows how to get your attention. Just keep seeking Him, follow Him in the things you already know, and listen for His guidance. Don't worry... He'll do the rest.

[Tet-chan]

I think i know what u mean.........
I got some question on that as well.
I just know that the holy spirit is sent to us by jesus...........

[wiggins]

I agree Spiritsword. Thank God for putting it on my heart, and giving me the idea to post it as a thread here. All these posts everybody has posted helps me get a clearer understanding. Hope they did the same for you.

To everyone who posted: Thanks guys that does help clear things up!

Please keep on posting. I hope God blesses this not just to me but anyone else who needs clarification on these things.

[c-girl]

When they say "God talked to me". They really mean, God talked to them! God talked to me once. To me his voice was exactly like mine!

[Bobtheduck]

When they say "God talked to me". They really mean, God talked to them! God talked to me once. To me his voice was exactly like mine!

I think God talks to us:

In our minds
In our reading
Through other christians
Through Nature
In dreams
Audibly

I also think that any way God can talk to us, 2 other things can happen: Satan can talk to us (by satan, I'm not talking about the specific person of satan, but rather that whole section) and we can, I suppose, talk to ourselves, even when reading the Bible...

There's a story about a guy who said "Ok, God, show me something in the bible" and he opens it up and reads about Judas comitting suicide. Then, he opens to another page, and the verse jumps out at him "Go and do likewise" I used to think that story was stupid until it happened to me exactly as I just said... It was in the car on the way home from youth group... I have had Hebrews as a source of fear ("no hope for them") and my friend, who is struggling with a Homosexual lifestyle, has had the last bit of revelations (who will not enter) beating in his head, and putting him in despair... So, it's necissary that anytime we think we hear from God, that it be balanced and checked... That's what I believe, anyhow.

[wiggins]

When they say "God talked to me". They really mean, God talked to them! God talked to me once. To me his voice was exactly like mine!

Then uhhh... how did you know God was talking, not you just saying something to yourself out loud?

[FireStarter2003]

Hey y'all,

From Scriptural teaching, as well as a few from my own personal experience, here are various ways God speaks:

1. The Bible: The Bible is God's authoritative, infallible, inerrant revelation to man. It is our "sure word of prophecy", is 100% correct, and when the Holy Spirit illuminates it to us, we receive a Rhema (quickened word) for our situation. Any revelation that comes to us through any other means must measure up to God's infallible revelation in the Bible.

2. The still small voice of the Holy Spirit: This is the gentle, tender stirring of the Holy Spirit on your spirit, guiding and leading you. It's not audible to the natural ears, but it comes as a thought, an impression, or inwardly you "hear" it with your spiritual ears.

3. Dreams: Sometimes God chooses to give us dreams wherein He seals up His instructions to us. Dreams may sometimes be symbolic, sometimes they may be revelations of things that will really happen in the future. Some dreams are preparation for God's blessings, while others are warning dreams that stir us to intercession and prayer for the enemy's plans to be thwarted.

4. Visions: There are various kinds of visions. There are visions of the night (which generally are for one person during the night); closed visions (only you see it); open visions (everybody in the room sees the same thing at the same time); interactive (you are part of the vision, not simply a witness). Again, there may be some symbolism, as well as realism, involved.

5. Prophecy: God may speak to us through the simple gift of prophecy given through another believer, for edification, exhortation and comfort. Other vehicles of prophecy include personal prophecy through prophets or a prophetic presbytery, prophetic songs ("song of the Lord"), words of knowledge, words of wisdom, prophetic acts, etc.

6. Prayer: Prayer is a two-way communication. We speak to God, but we also must quiet ourselves that we may hear from Him. This is where silent, contemplative meditation comes into play.

7. Circumstances: Sometimes God will fix circumstances and happenings of our lives to get our attention. These may include "inconveniences" such as missing an appointment, so that God can use us to minister to a hurting person. Sometimes these circumstances are orchestrated so that God will prevent us from being somewhere where a catastrophe will occur, so our lives are spared.

There are many more things that could be said, but the one thing I want to emphasize the most is that, while God can and does speak to us through all these means, we should always go back to the Bible if something sounds a little iffy, or doesn't match up. Blessings!

[Kokhiri Sojourn]

Personally, I always wondered the same thing about people saying that God spoke to them. Based on what I've read, most of the people here have said what I have thought of as God working in my/other's life/lives to continue to sanctify me/them. I know that God has spoken to me through the Scriptures, and He has used many other things to work in my life to mold me into His image, like songs, people, actions, etc. I have never heard an audible voice that I've identified before as God, but I know that He has made things painfully clear to me through conviction and the like. I don't think that makes me less spiritually mature or stong (though I may be weaker than many). I believe that God works in each believer's life in His own way, and that however He chooses to work in our lives, the work that God does in all believers (or Christians) will be entirely finished. God is good to unworthy people.