Do you hear Gods voice?

[dianegcook]

No, I mean what does the bible say that's relevant to what we face in the here and now. That it is specific to helping us deal the unique problems we face today.

The Word is for all times.

Matt.16:2;3
When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.
And in the morning, It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and lowering, O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky, but can ye not discern the signs of the times?

Heb.5:14
But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

What do we face today?
Be specific, and I'll try to find you a verse.

There is nothing new under the sun.

1Cor.10:13
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man, but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

 

[Blake]

I thought God did talk to me when I was a Christian, but it was only my mind that was doing the talking for God. I'm very sceptical of talking voices in my head, as I've already been to hospital for that.

I understand your hesitancy, man! Truly. As far as that's concerned, I don't believe God will speak to you audibly. He won't author confusion in your life. I don't believe He speaks audibly most of the time, anyway. The Bible says that we see things now as though through a dark mirror. We prophesy, but prophesy in part. We know, but we know in part. The Bible says that His voice is still and small. Sure, it has also said He has a voice like many rushing waters, but I believe such a revelation to man on a corporate level is yet to come... in the next life. When Jesus manifests Himself to us, it is in great demonstration of agape love. His sheep are led to Him, even run to Him because of His love. It is the assurance that He is in love with us, that His mercies are renewed daily. It is a fresh renewal and reminder that He hung upon a cross for our sake, truly in love with mankind, not because we deserved it by our own merits but because He chose it to be so. It's a fresh reminder that we do not have to strive to earn His affection, it is ours, we are His. He won't forget us or leave us, even an earthly mother can never forget the child who once nursed at her breast, even an earthly father loves his child because they are his progeny... not because they bring home medals or trophies, just because they are his sons. The sons don't have to earn it. It just comes natural. How much more is love displayed from the Father in Heaven? Infinitely more. In the voice of the Lord there is the assurance that we are more than estranged orphans, we are sons and heirs. Come up from underneath the table, eat of the fatted calf, you were not meant for crumbs. Shake off your beggar rags, I have prepared for you a robe and set of armor. The voice of the Lord says come and rest. The battle is mine. Vengeance is mine. The voice of the Lord says rise up from despondency and the vanity of grappling to attain me through the natural mind, for I am seen even through the faith of a child, not scrutinized through the intellect which I, Myself have fashioned. Even so His love remains. He will see you reformed and refined. When you come into a new season of faith the Holy Spirit will applaud you and breathe a new life into you, pat you on the back, you will understand that it was nothing that you ever could have done, but rather His work, His grace and mercy which shines upon you and draws you near again. I know because it was the same way for me. I fell out of Christianity for several years, utterly convinced that there are no gods to know, and suddenly He revealed to me that it was all Him. My heart had been hardened against grace because all of my faith was not in God's mercy, but in my own works to save me.

 

[poetofparables]

The Word is for all times.

Matt.16:2;3
When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.
And in the morning, It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and lowering, O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky, but can ye not discern the signs of the times?

Heb.5:14
But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

What do we face today?
Be specific, and I'll try to find you a verse.

There is nothing new under the sun.

1Cor.10:13
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man, but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

What does the bible say about smoking cigarettes, playing video games, talking on internet chat rooms all night, our current music genres, the use of technology, the use of pharmaceuticals. Stuff that's completely unique to our lives today and effects us seriously.

 

[poetofparables]

I understand your hesitancy, man! Truly. As far as that's concerned, I don't believe God will speak to you audibly. He won't author confusion in your life. I don't believe He speaks audibly most of the time, anyway. The Bible says that we see things now as though through a dark mirror. We prophesy, but prophesy in part. We know, but we know in part. The Bible says that His voice is still and small. Sure, it has also said He has a voice like many rushing waters, but I believe such a revelation to man on a corporate level is yet to come... in the next life. When Jesus manifests Himself to us, it is in great demonstration of agape love. His sheep are led to Him, even run to Him because of His love. It is the assurance that He is in love with us, that His mercies are renewed daily. It is a fresh renewal and reminder that He hung upon a cross for our sake, truly in love with mankind, not because we deserved it by our own merits but because He chose it to be so. It's a fresh reminder that we do not have to strive to earn His affection, it is ours, we are His. He won't forget us or leave us, even an earthly mother can never forget the child who once nursed at her breast, even an earthly father loves his child because they are his progeny... not because they bring home medals or trophies, just because they are his sons. The sons don't have to earn it. It just comes natural. How much more is love displayed from the Father in Heaven? Infinitely more. In the voice of the Lord there is the assurance that we are more than estranged orphans, we are sons and heirs. Come up from underneath the table, eat of the fatted calf, you were not meant for crumbs. Shake off your beggar rags, I have prepared for you a robe and set of armor. The voice of the Lord says come and rest. The battle is mine. Vengeance is mine. The voice of the Lord says rise up from despondency and the vanity of grappling to attain me through the natural mind, for I am seen even through the faith of a child, not scrutinized through the intellect which I, Myself have fashioned. Even so His love remains. He will see you reformed and refined. When you come into a new season of faith the Holy Spirit will applaud you and breathe a new life into you, pat you on the back, you will understand that it was nothing that you ever could have done, but rather His work, His grace and mercy which shines upon you and draws you near again. I know because it was the same way for me. I fell out of Christianity for several years, utterly convinced that there are no gods to know, and suddenly He revealed to me that it was all Him. My heart had been hardened against grace because all of my faith was not in God's mercy, but in my own works to save me.

Truly I tell you, the more well I become the less I desire to see vengeance done by any god.

 

[Obadiah]

Many christians claim that they hear Gods voice, so my question is this

"Does the voice you hear ever tell you information that is outside your own reasoning process and predictive mental abilities."

Yes, for me it has been, but it's not an audible voice, or even one I hear just in my head. It's more like a thought just suddenly appears with no other explanation. But even that doesn't describe it, because it's somehow more than that. Of course it can happen a lot of different ways for different Christians in different situations. It's a lot like trying to describe how you can tell true love from infatuation. Hard to describe other than to just say something vague like "when it happens you'll just know."

Sadly, the situation is compounded by confusion caused by a huge number of Christians who seem to love using the phrase "God told me..." when the reality is that it's just their own idea. Sometimes they've just made a mistake when they truly think God told them something, but most times it's an almost subconscious feeling of inferiority that takes away their confidence in their own ideas and makes them feel that if they want to be taken seriously they must claim that what they are saying is directly from God rather than admit it's just their own idea. I don't have any scientific studies to back this (and can't even imagine how one could be designed), but my own impression is that the vast majority of times I hear "God told me...", this is what is happening rather than a true instance of God directly and supernaturally speaking to someone!

As for me, yeah, I've had it happen. And it's a lot different from just imagining something, or just using the phrase "God told me..." to get attention or respect. But I can't describe how it's different. Like being in true love, it's just something you can tell when it happens, but can't describe it to someone else. I've had true love and know the difference, but would be hard pressed to put it into words. Also I've had God "speak" to me, and know the difference, but am hard pressed to put into words how I know. Also, it doesn't happen often for me. Less than a handfull of times in several decades. And those have always been times when I was very dedicated to following closely to God, repenting of my sins, and striving to serve Him no matter what. It's never happened at times when I was weak and questioning my faith or feeling rebellious or incredulous toward God. Even for Moses and many other Biblical characters it didn't happen often relative to the span of their lives. So I get very skeptical when I hear the same person saying "God told me..." on an almost daily basis sometimes. Common sense may be telling them something, their background experiences and education may be telling them something, their Biblical knowledge may be telling them something, etc, etc. But I suspect the actual instances of God speaking directly to them are much more rare (if it's ever truly happened for them) than all these other things.

 

[Blake]

What does the bible say about smoking cigarettes, playing video games, talking on internet chat rooms all night, our current music genres, the use of technology, the use of pharmaceuticals. Stuff that's completely unique to our lives today and effects us seriously.

All of it can be covered by "I will set my eyes upon no evil thing" and/or "thou shalt have no other gods our idols before me."

 

[poetofparables]

Yes, for me it has been, but it's not an audible voice, or even one I hear just in my head. It's more like a thought just suddenly appears with no other explanation. But even that doesn't describe it, because it's somehow more than that. Of course it can happen a lot of different ways for different Christians in different situations. It's a lot like trying to describe how you can tell true love from infatuation. Hard to describe other than to just say something vague like "when it happens you'll just know."

Sadly, the situation is compounded by confusion caused by a huge number of Christians who seem to love using the phrase "God told me..." when the reality is that it's just their own idea. Sometimes they've just made a mistake when they truly think God told them something, but most times it's an almost subconscious feeling of inferiority that takes away their confidence in their own ideas and makes them feel that if they want to be taken seriously they must claim that what they are saying is directly from God rather than admit it's just their own idea. I don't have any scientific studies to back this (and can't even imagine how one could be designed), but my own impression is that the vast majority of times I hear "God told me...", this is what is happening rather than a true instance of God directly and supernaturally speaking to someone!

As for me, yeah, I've had it happen. And it's a lot different from just imagining something, or just using the phrase "God told me..." to get attention or respect. But I can't describe how it's different. Like being in true love, it's just something you can tell when it happens, but can't describe it to someone else. I've had true love and know the difference, but would be hard pressed to put it into words. Also I've had God "speak" to me, and know the difference, but am hard pressed to put into words how I know. Also, it doesn't happen often for me. Less than a handfull of times in several decades. And those have always been times when I was very dedicated to following closely to God, repenting of my sins, and striving to serve Him no matter what. It's never happened at times when I was weak and questioning my faith or feeling rebellious or incredulous toward God. Even for Moses and many other Biblical characters it didn't happen often relative to the span of their lives. So I get very skeptical when I hear the same person saying "God told me..." on an almost daily basis sometimes. Common sense may be telling them something, their background experiences and education may be telling them something, their Biblical knowledge may be telling them something, etc, etc. But I suspect the actual instances of God speaking directly to them are much more rare (if it's ever truly happened for them) than all these other things.

It seems that hearing Gods voice is not testable by blind studies or repeatable by a large body of believers so I guess you're right, most Christians are just going to be talking to their own minds.

 

[Abigail123]

Yes, for me it has been, but it's not an audible voice, or even one I hear just in my head. It's more like a thought just suddenly appears with no other explanation. But even that doesn't describe it, because it's somehow more than that. Of course it can happen a lot of different ways for different Christians in different situations. It's a lot like trying to describe how you can tell true love from infatuation. Hard to describe other than to just say something vague like "when it happens you'll just know."

Sadly, the situation is compounded by confusion caused by a huge number of Christians who seem to love using the phrase "God told me..." when the reality is that it's just their own idea. Sometimes they've just made a mistake when they truly think God told them something, but most times it's an almost subconscious feeling of inferiority that takes away their confidence in their own ideas and makes them feel that if they want to be taken seriously they must claim that what they are saying is directly from God rather than admit it's just their own idea. I don't have any scientific studies to back this (and can't even imagine how one could be designed), but my own impression is that the vast majority of times I hear "God told me...", this is what is happening rather than a true instance of God directly and supernaturally speaking to someone!

As for me, yeah, I've had it happen. And it's a lot different from just imagining something, or just using the phrase "God told me..." to get attention or respect. But I can't describe how it's different. Like being in true love, it's just something you can tell when it happens, but can't describe it to someone else. I've had true love and know the difference, but would be hard pressed to put it into words. Also I've had God "speak" to me, and know the difference, but am hard pressed to put into words how I know. Also, it doesn't happen often for me. Less than a handfull of times in several decades. And those have always been times when I was very dedicated to following closely to God, repenting of my sins, and striving to serve Him no matter what. It's never happened at times when I was weak and questioning my faith or feeling rebellious or incredulous toward God. Even for Moses and many other Biblical characters it didn't happen often relative to the span of their lives. So I get very skeptical when I hear the same person saying "God told me..." on an almost daily basis sometimes. Common sense may be telling them something, their background experiences and education may be telling them something, their Biblical knowledge may be telling them something, etc, etc. But I suspect the actual instances of God speaking directly to them are much more rare (if it's ever truly happened for them) than all these other things.

It's difficult to put into words, but you have done a wonderful job doing just that. You would make a great author.
It's true for me, too, when people say that "God said-" it's a red flag. I think it's also very rare that God speaks audibly.

I do believe God can and does speak to us daily, if we are seeking Him. Even if it is a simple verse we read in a daily devotion, idk.

 

[Brother Mike]

Yes!

Especially when I can't find my car keys?


JLB

Yep, my angels and the Lord spend lots of their time looking for things I have miss placed. My wife running around the house saying "Lord you know where this or that is, thank you for showing me where its at. She gives up looking and says, all fixed. A hour or so latter she says thank you Lord, and goes right to where it fell.

Just a few weeks ago her friend lost her phone and my wife said, the Lord said it's in your car between the car seat. Her friend said I looked there several time, my wife says ya, but it's buried in the, the Lord said look again. So her friend goes back out and sure enough.

I make fun of my wife calling on the one that makes planets to find things she misplaced. God is awesome.

No, I mean what does the bible say that's relevant to what we face in the here and now. That it is specific to helping us deal the unique problems we face today.

You will have to get answers from everyone else, nothing I or JLB can do until you settle that the word lives and abides forever, will never be obsolete, and covers every single issue a person could face today. The word brings health to the flesh and is the power of God to change any physical circumstance man can face today.

For the false lion has changed not, neither has he new devices that is not common or new to man.

 

[Edward]

Many christians claim that they hear Gods voice, so my question is this

"Does the voice you hear ever tell you information that is outside your own reasoning process and predictive mental abilities."

Yes, I have gotten words of knowledge from the Lord. Not ecery day or even what one would call often, but it happens, and is usually obvious of the divine nature of the words, but not always. It takes effort and paying attention to be able to accurately discern God's voice over our own.

One time only, has God spoken to me, sort of audibly. It was in my head, but it was different than usual. A more pronounced encounter. He interrupted my line of thought and spoke to me with a grammatical difference in which how I normally think and speak. Not to mention that the presence of God was enough to dispel any question of who it was.

 

[poetofparables]

Yep, my angels and the Lord spend lots of their time looking for things I have miss placed. My wife running around the house saying "Lord you know where this or that is, thank you for showing me where its at. She gives up looking and says, all fixed. A hour or so latter she says thank you Lord, and goes right to where it fell.

Just a few weeks ago her friend lost her phone and my wife said, the Lord said it's in your car between the car seat. Her friend said I looked there several time, my wife says ya, but it's buried in the, the Lord said look again. So her friend goes back out and sure enough.

I make fun of my wife calling on the one that makes planets to find things she misplaced. God is awesome.




You will have to get answers from everyone else, nothing I or JLB can do until you settle that the word lives and abides forever, will never be obsolete, and covers every single issue a person could face today. The word brings health to the flesh and is the power of God to change any physical circumstance man can face today.

For the false lion has changed not, neither has he new devices that is not common or new to man.

I don't think you, JLB and I are living in the same universe.

 

[Edward]

One other thing brother. I think it's ok to learn about this, but you said so that, you may know what to expect when it happens to you...this might not work for you the way that you intend. God has so many ways of talking with us that to expect Him to address you just like He does others... is...putting God in a box so to speak.

So if you read many good testimonials and base your belief on what has happened to others, you may miss out on hearing it if He chooses to speak to you differently. Because He didn't do what you expected...so it couldn't be God is the thought that would come to you. We shouldn't fit God into our pre-conceived notions, but strive for the personal intimacy of who He really is. Understand?

 

[poetofparables]

Yes, I have gotten words of knowledge from the Lord. Not ecery day or even what one would call often, but it happens, and is usually obvious of the divine nature of the words, but not always. It takes effort and paying attention to be able to accurately discern God's voice over our own.

One time only, has God spoken to me, sort of audibly. It was in my head, but it was different than usual. A more pronounced encounter. He interrupted my line of thought and spoke to me with a grammatical difference in which how I normally think and speak. Not to mention that the presence of God was enough to dispel any question of who it was.

Duly noted my friend.

 

[poetofparables]

One other thing brother. I think it's ok to learn about this, but you said so that, you may know what to expect when it happens to you...this might not work for you the way that you intend. God has so many ways of talking with us that to expect Him to address you just like He does others... is...putting God in a box so to speak.

So if you read many good testimonials and base your belief on what has happened to others, you may miss out on hearing it if He chooses to speak to you differently. Because He didn't do what you expected...so it couldn't be God is the thought that would come to you. We shouldn't fit God into our pre-conceived notions, but strive for the personal intimacy of who He really is. Understand?

If God can morph into any circumstance how can anyone be sure which circumstance is a God circumstance and which isn't.

 

[Brother Mike]

I don't think you, JLB and I are living in the same universe.

The women responded, even the dogs get the crumbs from the masters table. She passed the test and got help. Good luck on your hearing God venture.

 

[dianegcook]

What does the bible say about smoking cigarettes, playing video games, talking on internet chat rooms all night, our current music genres, the use of technology, the use of pharmaceuticals. Stuff that's completely unique to our lives today and effects us seriously.

Cigarettes?
Matt.15:11
Not that which forth into the mouth defileth a man, but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
Will make you unhealthy though.

Games?
Depends on which ones, and how much time spent on them.
Does it take our time, consumed with it?
We should be seeking, so we may find, helping those in need.

Internet? Is Technology?
Depends,
On there to bully and belittle someone, find dates, gossip?
Or
We can talk about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Music?
I don't care for all music!
I will sing praise to thy name, O thou Most High.
PS.9:2
I like rock and roll, and gospel.
PS.150:3-6
Praise Him with their sound of the trumpet, psaltery, harp, with timbrel and dance, praise Him with stringed instruments and organs, cymbals.

Drugs?
Yep, when I have a headache, Tylenol is good.

1Tim.5:23
Drink a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

 

[poetofparables]

Cigarettes?
Matt.15:11
Not that which forth into the mouth defileth a man, but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
Will make you unhealthy though.

Games?
Depends on which ones, and how much time spent on them.
Does it take our time, consumed with it?
We should be seeking, so we may find, helping those in need.

Internet? Is Technology?
Depends,
On there to bully and belittle someone, find dates, gossip?
Or
We can talk about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Music?
I don't care for all music!
I will sing praise to thy name, O thou Most High.
PS.9:2
I like rock and roll, and gospel.
PS.150:3-6
Praise Him with their sound of the trumpet, psaltery, harp, with timbrel and dance, praise Him with stringed instruments and organs, cymbals.

Drugs?
Yep, when I have a headache, Tylenol is good.

1Tim.5:23
Drink a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

I commend you for your effort there, it was truly heartening to read your reply, but only because you tried so hard to make some Biblical reference for me.

 

[Edward]

If God can morph into any circumstance how can anyone be sure which circumstance is a God circumstance and which isn't.

It seems to me that, on rare occasions, it's important enough for God to manifest in a way which is indisputable. Most of the time it is the still small voice which is not so easy to discern. If I am not sure, I say, is that you father?

One guy, a pastor named Bruce Allen said in a video that learning to discern between the voices in our head is something that we all can do, but it does take a bit of discipline and practice. Before bed, think of a question that you want to ask God. Ask Him, and wait. Write down everything that comes to mind. Then when thoughts have subsided, ask, Is that all father? and then write down everything that comes to mind then. Now go to bed. In the morning, go through the answers that you wrote down. Cross out any that do not agree with scripture. Do this for two weeks and it becomes apparent which voice was His...

Myself, I have not been able to do this for two weeks. Too undisciplined.
But I'm trying.

 

[WalterandDebbie]

Yes!

Especially when I can't find my car keys?


JLB

The most important thing is that just before I do find my whatever I loose then, I always have to forgive myself or someone else, that I did something or said something that is not pleasing in his sight, and that I must repent of, before he will direct my attention towards that whatever I have lost.

And that I must make sure that I have asked just him/Jesus our Lord, but not anyone else, just making sure that it is the wright contact, for that direction to find whatever I have lost, because the devil is very cunning to deceive.

Just try to make sure that it is your savior/Jesus at all times.

Proverbs 3:6, Proverbs 3

Also I found, as I would go on that I must continue in The Words of Jesus, so I would know for myself but having his protection along the way of life, seeking, knocking, etc. Luke 11:9, Luke 11.

 

[dianegcook]

I commend you for your effort there, it was truly heartening to read your reply, but only because you tried so hard to make some Biblical reference for me.

I tried, lol
Good day, have to go and file taxes, render Caesar his due.