5 WAYS TO KNOW IF YOU ARE HEARING GOD'S VOICE
Have you ever wondered if you are hearing God’s voice?
I’m not talking about feel good moments where we got goosebumps. I mean, do you know deep down that you are hearing God?
I don’t think most people know for sure.
Many people say that have but their life doesn’t really back it up. I mean,
if you are really hearing God wouldn’t there be more evidence of it?
Most people would say…
I pray
I listen to worship music
I read my Bible every week
I go to church, or watch it online
I feel peace
I talk to my Pastor or friends about God
I go to conferences or revivals
OK… Now look at that list and tell me what’s at the core of every sentence?
The word “I.”
While each thing on the list sounds really good it says nothing about hearing God’s voice.
What’s the point of doing everything on that list, if God isn’t talking to us? I would argue that that isn’t about a relationship but more about a feeling.
But I know that there are others who really DO want to hear God’s voice.
The heart of doing everything on that list is to spend time with God.
Many of you want to know if you are really hearing God. You want to know that you are on the right course in life.
I want to help you know deep down that you are hearing His voice. I know from experience what a difference this can make.
So here are some tips to help you out.
1. His Voice Gives You Peace.
God is NOT the author of confusion. He is a God of relationship and He is a Good Father who gives direction, love, correction, comfort, and wisdom. His voice is unlike any other. His voice is pure, strong, and full of creative power. When God speaks to us, He speaks with peace.
He is Jehovah- Shalom. Shalom is a Hebrew word meaning peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, and welfare and can be used idiomatically to mean both hello and goodbye.
God’s peace always accompanies God’s voice and helps us to distinguish His voice from our own. The absence of peace is the absence of God’s direction. Our circumstances aren’t always pleasant but God’s peace always accompanies His voice.
Isaiah 55:10-11 "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
2. His Voice Challenges You to Live With Conviction.
Conviction is a word that isn’t used very often today but it is one is very needed. Conviction is a firmly held belief that governs our life. When God speaks to us we have to realize that God is Holy. To be holy means to be full of one thing, or to be set apart. His voice is like no other, because there is no division or act that is not in unity. So His word is firm, resolved, and assured.
He is Jehovah Nissi – The Lord our banner (Exodus 17:15). Nissi is a Hebrew word that means the Lord has declared the way and the victory is at hand.
God’s voice is a standard. It causes everything that hears it to raise their level to His. When God truly speaks to us it causes us to change to be MORE like Him. When we do, it releases momentum into our lives because we have shifted to His position. His word is that powerful!
Philippians 3:14-16 (ESV) 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
3. His Voice Brings Provision.
“You can change your world by changing your words… Remember, death and life are in the power of the tongue.”
God would not speak a word into our life without giving the ability to achieve it. God’s word is powerful because it is creative! When God spoke in Genesis the world that was blank and void took shape and form. His words release life and future. God’s language is faith! He calls us to come alongside that journey with Him. Romans 1:17 calls us to live from faith to faith and glory to glory!
He is Jehovah Jireh. Jireh is the Hebrew word meaning The Lord will see or provide (Genesis 22:8-14).
Provision is so important! It witnesses to the goodness and glory of God, but also that we are aligned with God’s purpose in us. His words release a tangibility. He is God with us!!!
2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
4. His Voice Brings You Into Community.
We were created for relationship with God and with others. We are not meant to live a life alone and hidden. God’s heart is to touch every person with His love. That is His plan. We are all part of the plan to see that happen. When you hear God’s voice you know that it is to help others. Relationship is the core of what a community is all about.
He is Emmanuel. Emmanuel is the Hebrew word meaning the Lord is with us. Notice that the word “us” is a plural.
It was never God’s design for us to be alone. This is why God created the church. It was His idea. The church is a group of people gathered together to pursue Christ and His purpose in a local community and the world. The church is an extension of God’s help and provision to those who are in need physically, and spiritually. When we each hear God’s voice, we are carrying His heart to touch others. Just like us, the church is not about staying within the 4 walls. The church is called to go and do. Together we can take God’s plan and reach our world!
Psalm 92:12-14 ESV The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green
5. His Voice Bring You to Accountability.
As our relationship with the Lord grows, we learn that He does everything with authority and accountability. When God speaks to us we need to honor His words with our actions. Being accountable is essential for success and living a life that you can be proud of. Whether this is in the workplace, at home, or in your relationships, accountability is essential. Living life this way will raise your self-esteem, allow your relationships to grow, and you’ll make progress toward your goals.
He is Jehovah Adonai. Adonai is the Hebrew word that means the Lord is our sovereign, our Master. (Genesis 15:2, 8)
Accountability is the glue that ties commitment to the dream and destiny of our life. Having a Pastor, life coach, teacher, or mature friend is essential to our development. When God speaks to us, He is also speaking to many others. All of God’s words align together for His plan. Together we carry the strength of God’s full plan to touch our world.
The Point:
-We need to know that we are hearing from God.
-We need to make it a priority to know His voice.
-We need to see the evidence of it in our lives.
That’s how we know!
PRAYER:
Father fill us with Your peace. Help us to know and recognize Your voice. Father, teach us to know when you speak. When we are weighted between decisions and aren’t sure where You are leading us, help us to remember You lead us with peace. Fill our heart and life with your presence and empower us to glorify You in this day.
In Jesus name, amen.
