How can we know God's "voice?"

[JoJo]

If you ever heard either the voice of God or Satan, you would know.

I am to believe that one who hears these voices "just knows" of their divine or Satanic origins?

Yes. It's called discernment.

There is a word for when people believe that they hear personal messages or voices that others don't. When it occurs in large numbers, it is called "religion". When it occurs in an individual, it is called a "delusion".

It seems that there is sanity in numbers.

Call it what you will. The Lord speaks to His sheep and the sheep know His voice. One can define delusion only by comparing it to what's "normal." If it is normal for Christians to hear God's voice, then it is not delusional, it is spiritual. I pray someday you will experience His whispers.

 

[Guest]

. . . until you've heard either [the voice of God or Satan], your denial of the possibility is sheer speculation.

No more speculation than is at play when one denies the possibility that a schizophrenic is actually communicating with Poseidon via white noise on the radio . . . or when one denies the possibility that a suicide bomber will obtain eternal paradise with Allah and a host of virgins . . . or when one denies the possibility that a child really does have an invisible friend.

When someone makes a claim about the world, and you certainly are, the only thing that suggests that claim really is about the world is evidence.

You have none.

 

[Guest]

How do you know that other people exist? It may be a mere illusion. Maybe you should consider solipsism.

If I become a solipsist, will you become an atheist?

While waiting for your response, the virtues of solipsism really hit home and I had no choice but to become a solipsist (so you are off the hook from my proposition).

You know what?

Nothing really changed.

I contemplated suicide, but then that would result in the end of the entire "universe" as I always knew it, and I'm sentimental, so I decided that, since I had nothing real to do, I might as well spend my time trying to understand this rich, complex charade created by my unconscious mind and which I have previously called "reality". I even decided, just for fun, that I would continue to call it "reality", and "the universe". I admired it; it was not capricious.

Most importantly, science and reason continued to be the best ways of understanding this charade. Which brings me right back to this forum, and another meaningless distinction, namely, the one between "knowing the voice of god", and a hallucination/illusion/wishful thinking.

(Note to self: in the future, when believers appeal to solipsism, recognize it for what it is: a complete cop out . . . an excuse to avoid any further critical thought or debate).

 

[Guest]

Note to self: in the future, when believers appeal to solipsism, recognize it for what it is: a complete cop out . . . an excuse to avoid any further critical thought or debate).

Please elaborate on this statement.

 

[MMarc]

I hear Him in a few ways.

But what you might want to try is this.

Ask God a sincere question. Now wait on the Lord and when He answers you He will bring back the prayer or requests to mind at the very moment He gives you the sign.

Then ask for a conformation, if you doubt, and wait again on the Lord and again He will being back to memory the prayer or request at the time the sign is given.

And keep this up. Jesus' work allows us to be reconciled with the Father. And just like in real life if you haven't talked to your father for a long time you have to get to know each other all over again, and after a while the conversation flows as you get more confortable with your ''long lost father.''

Same with our Father in Heaven.

Repeat the process until you are in full blown, real time conversation!

You will never be the same again. Just don't tell everyone they will think you're crazy.

I intercede mostly and I talk with the Lord God every day, after work I always miss Him. When I get home, I'm so happy to get back in touch with Him and talk about stuff.

And when we connect with the Father we have the exact same relationship that Adam and Eve had with God before the fall!

Then truly you will know that the Kingdom of God is at hand.

It is written that if we draw close to God, He will draw close to us. Believe those words, they are true.

In 2000 when I received the Kingdom, my conversation with God instantly as a still small voice. And it grew to me recongnizing signs outside of me, etc...

At one point you will know what is of God and what isn't. Just don't give up whatever you do, and listen intently and have an open mind to receive His signs.

 

[Fembot]

If you ever heard either the voice of God or Satan, you would know.

I am to believe that one who hears these voices "just knows" of their divine or Satanic origins?

There is a word for when people believe that they hear personal messages or voices that others don't. When it occurs in large numbers, it is called "religion". When it occurs in an individual, it is called a "delusion".

It seems that there is sanity in numbers.

Is this Sanitarium?

 

[Fembot]

If you ever heard either the voice of God or Satan, you would know.

I am to believe that one who hears these voices "just knows" of their divine or Satanic origins?

Yes. It's called discernment.

There is a word for when people believe that they hear personal messages or voices that others don't. When it occurs in large numbers, it is called "religion". When it occurs in an individual, it is called a "delusion".

It seems that there is sanity in numbers.

Call it what you will. The Lord speaks to His sheep and the sheep know His voice. One can define delusion only by comparing it to what's "normal." If it is normal for Christians to hear God's voice, then it is not delusional, it is spiritual. I pray someday you will experience His whispers.

I don't speak for all Christians when I say that sometimes even we are distracted and don't hear God's voice.

When I use the word hear and voice it is a metaphor in that I have never "heard" a voice but received messages through symbolism and repetitive events. I do my best to pay attention when God "speaks". Some people just shut their ears (doors). It's their choice.

Same way it's our choice to have a lovely conversation about how God speaks to us without someone waltzing in trying to label us crazy :o Yes, I said it.

 

[merlow]

If you ever heard either the voice of God or Satan, you would know.

I am to believe that one who hears these voices "just knows" of their divine or Satanic origins?

This is why we have the written word. These voices, feeling or whatever they are should always be tested with the written word. If it does not line up it is thrown out. Some Christians forget this part.

 

[Fembot]

:yes

 

[JoJo]

. . . until you've heard either [the voice of God or Satan], your denial of the possibility is sheer speculation.

No more speculation than is at play when one denies the possibility that a schizophrenic is actually communicating with Poseidon via white noise on the radio . . . or when one denies the possibility that a suicide bomber will obtain eternal paradise with Allah and a host of virgins . . . or when one denies the possibility that a child really does have an invisible friend.

When someone makes a claim about the world, and you certainly are, the only thing that suggests that claim really is about the world is evidence.

You have none.

We have the evidence of at least two or three witnesses just on this forum -- those who have experienced it personally. If this evidence is not enough for you, then we could follow this same line of reasoning and say that we don't have enough evidence to believe that George Washington ever lived. How do we know he lived? Witnesses that recorded his existence.

As for your analogies:

How do we know if the schizophrenic isn't really hearing voices (demonic or angelic)? We don't know. How do we know that schizophrenics' brains really aren't intercepting supernatural goings-on? We don't know. The schizophrenic doesn't even know.

As for the suicide bombers, none of them can say they have experienced something that would only have occurred in the future. Your analogy is misplaced. Perhaps if you'd like to attack faith...

As for a child with an invisible friend: Even children know their imaginary friends are imaginary. They are playing, pretending, and they know it.

 

[follower of Christ]

Most importantly, science and reason continued to be the best ways of understanding this charade.

So your absurd belief is that modern science can test for anything that exists and if something cannot be detected or tested by science by our ability today then it it doesnt exist ?
Some scientist youd make....

Note to self....find some REAL scientists to debate with...honest ones at the very least.

 

[Guest]

We have the evidence of at least two or three witnesses just on this forum -- those who have experienced it personally. If this evidence is not enough for you, then we could follow this same line of reasoning and say that we don't have enough evidence to believe that George Washington ever lived. How do we know he lived? Witnesses that recorded his existence. Same with Jesus, of course.

I think you misunderstand the objection Orion is making. He is not concerned with the evidence for Jesus, but the evidence for specific instances of where God speaks to specific people. How can one person know God has spoken to another person? What evidence exists for this?

Bobby: God told me to become a missionary to Africa.

How do we know God has told Bobby to become a missionary to Africa? What evidence exists for this?

 

[follower of Christ]

I am to believe that one who hears these voices "just knows" of their divine or Satanic origins?

There is a word for when people believe that they hear personal messages or voices that others don't. When it occurs in large numbers, it is called "religion". When it occurs in an individual, it is called a "delusion".

It seems that there is sanity in numbers.

Can you PROVE, friend, that those who hear 'voices' ARENT actually hearing them ?
Can you PROVE that these folks arent simply very much in tune with some other plane of existence that your pathetic scientists have not yet come up with a way to detect ?
Are you so naive as to actually be claiming here that if YOU cannot hear something that it does not exist ?
My wife is much younger than I am and her range of hearing can detect very high frequencies that *I* am no longer able to even hear. I certainly am not fool enough to think that if MY senses cant detect something that it cannot be...my wife is proof that that is not the case.

And in the same way some folks could very easily be picking up on things that YOU cannot perceive....like it or not.

I suggest that you learn to expand your horizons and face the fact that theres more to life than you can see, touch and hear.

 

[follower of Christ]

Bobby: God told me to become a missionary to Africa.

How do we know God has told Bobby to become a missionary to Africa? What evidence exists for this?

Pray about it and look for confirmation in things around him....or...sit back and ignore it and see if it was God or not and find out if he blew it when he sees God face to face.




.

 

[JoJo]

We have the evidence of at least two or three witnesses just on this forum -- those who have experienced it personally. If this evidence is not enough for you, then we could follow this same line of reasoning and say that we don't have enough evidence to believe that George Washington ever lived. How do we know he lived? Witnesses that recorded his existence. Same with Jesus, of course.

I think you misunderstand the objection Orion is making. He is not concerned with the evidence for Jesus, but the evidence for specific instances of where God speaks to specific people. How can one person know God has spoken to another person? What evidence exists for this?

Bobby: God told me to become a missionary to Africa.

How do we know God has told Bobby to become a missionary to Africa? What evidence exists for this?

Yes, I edited it to delete the last sentence. Jesus didn't need witnesses to prove His existence.

What evidence do we have that God told Bobby anything? Does it matter? Do we need evidence?

Why is everyone about evidence anyway? Why can't there just be faith?

 

[turnorburn]

Follow this Psalm.

Psalm 23:1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Seek him with all of your heart then you will know.

Matthew 7 7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

The only thing that prevents us is sin..

Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

 

[Guest]

What evidence do we have that God told Bobby anything? Does it matter? Do we need evidence?

I was presenting the comments by Orion in a different light.

Why is everyone about evidence anyway? Why can't there just be faith?

God told me your husband is cheating on you. Now do you see why evidence is important?

 

[MMarc]

What evidence do we have that God told Bobby anything? Does it matter? Do we need evidence?

I was presenting the comments by Orion in a different light.

Why is everyone about evidence anyway? Why can't there just be faith?

God told me your husband is cheating on you. Now do you see why evidence is important?

Minnesota, it is impossible to please God without faith.

Our faith is God's evidence.

 

[Guest]

Minnesota, it is impossible to please God without faith.

Great. Thanks. Now go back and read my post in context.

 

[mondar]

What evidence do we have that God told Bobby anything? Does it matter? Do we need evidence?

I was presenting the comments by Orion in a different light.

Why is everyone about evidence anyway? Why can't there just be faith?

God told me your husband is cheating on you. Now do you see why evidence is important?

LOL