How can we know God's "voice?"

[Aero_Hudson]

Interesting stuff in this thread over the weekend. Some random Aero thoughts...

- When I say that I have heard God's voice, so far, in my brief time as a Christian, this is not an actual voice. For me, that has been a metaphor. What I experience / feel are circumstances and coincidences that are just too timely to be such. I had another example over the weekend. To make a long story short, my wife and I had a couple of arguements over the weekend. I am a bit more laid back with life and take things as they come. She cannot and obsesses over everything and makes mountains out of mole hills. I prayed multiple times to help me be patient with her and to help her find her way. I go to church yesterday and what is the pastor talking about? Happiness. Several themes within talked sbout the things that are important and the things that are not. He also provided tips on how to come to peace with your life and what you can control and what you cannot. For me, this hit way too close to home to be just a coincidence. This is the 3rd or 4th time this has happened to me since becoming a Christian.

- I am reading a book that I picked up yesterday..."The God Question" by J.P. Moreland. Great book that discusses the ways to look at the world. He talks about Naturalism and the belief that only physical things exist and the world can only be explained by those physical laws of nature. He provides some great arguements on why this is not the case and why it presents a very close minded view of the world. He also presents a strong philisophical arguement as to why God exists.

- Are there things in this world and beyond that we fail to understand? Is there a possibility that we may never find an explanation? I would answer yes to both questions. If yes, could their be a spiritual explanation for these things? Anyone that answers yes to these questions has opened themselves up to the possibility of God existing.

Aero out!

 

[mondar]

Interesting stuff in this thread over the weekend. Some random Aero thoughts..............(snip)..................up to the possibility of God existing.

Aero out!

Is this the voice of God, or the sovereignty of God?

 

[Aero_Hudson]

Interesting stuff in this thread over the weekend. Some random Aero thoughts..............(snip)..................up to the possibility of God existing.

Aero out!

Is this the voice of God, or the sovereignty of God?

Not sure I am following...I could be having a Monday moment. ;)

 

[mondar]

[quote="Aero_Hudson":357u1ui3]Interesting stuff in this thread over the weekend. Some random Aero thoughts..............(snip)..................up to the possibility of God existing.

Aero out!

Is this the voice of God, or the sovereignty of God?

Not sure I am following...I could be having a Monday moment. ;)[/quote:357u1ui3]
LOL, Mondays should be outlawed after a long 4th of July weekend!

I read your post on Mon Jul 06, 2009 9:35 am. After reading it I wondered if you were talking about the voice of God or simply the sovereign control of God as he controls different situations in your life. You spoke how you need to learn to be patient with your wife. You had a few arguments, then went to Church and the preacher was speaking "Happiness." If I understood you right, it related to your patience issue with your wife.

OK, so the preacher spoke just the right sermon at the right time and certain scriptures were used in your life? The question I was asking is this the "voice of God" or simply his sovereign control over the affairs and events in your life.

 

[Aero_Hudson]

LOL, Mondays should be outlawed after a long 4th of July weekend!

I read your post on Mon Jul 06, 2009 9:35 am. After reading it I wondered if you were talking about the voice of God or simply the sovereign control of God as he controls different situations in your life. You spoke how you need to learn to be patient with your wife. You had a few arguments, then went to Church and the preacher was speaking "Happiness." If I understood you right, it related to your patience issue with your wife.

OK, so the preacher spoke just the right sermon at the right time and certain scriptures were used in your life? The question I was asking is this the "voice of God" or simply his sovereign control over the affairs and events in your life.

Ok, got it. That's what I thought but I was not 100% sure so I thought I would ask for clarification. Thank you!

Personally, admitting that I am a newb here ;), I see both as one and the same. God has many ways that he can "talk" to us. Can he literally talk to us? I have not experienced it but I am sure he can. Can he "talk" to us through placing things in our path that we need at that moment in time? Sure. I can appreciate deliniating between the two as you have done. I think both have a similar impact on us.

 

[JoJo]

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?

It depends on who told me that. If it was a trusted friend or loved one, someone strong in the faith, then I would take his/her comments seriously and pursue the situation. But we must weigh these things with the Holy Spirit's guidance in our own lives.

 

[merlow]

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?

It depends on who told me that. If it was a trusted friend or loved one, someone strong in the faith, then I would take his/her comments seriously and pursue the situation. But we must weigh these things with the Holy Spirit's guidance in our own lives.

What do you mean by "pursue the situation"? Do you mean you would look for more evidence or do you mean you would divorce your husband?

 

[Vic C.]

Lets try not to get too far off topic. Thanks.

 

[JoJo]

Yeah, I don't think any answer I give to the questions, "What do you mean by "pursue the situation"? Do you mean you would look for more evidence or do you mean you would divorce your husband?" would benefit this conversation. I'm not even married.

Anyway, I was thinking just now...

When a Christian comes and shares his testimony with believers, he does so to enrich others' lives and faith. He seeks to fellowship with other believers with his testimony and to rejoice with others in theirs. When a Christian shares his testimony with unbelievers, he does so in the hopes to inspire them to want to experience the same joy and peace that is available in Christ.

So when a Christian shares his testimony, whether about being saved from a life of sin, a healing, or hearing the voice of God, and both unbelievers and those who call themselves Christians refute those testimonies or debate their legitimacy, it does no good...unless the inquirer is asking out of genuine desire to learn and understand. But when those testimonies are refuted for the sheer sake of argument in an effort to disprove the Christian's experiences, then not much good can come out of it.

This can be applied to anyone of any faith. We should respect others' beliefs without trying to dissect them to pieces.

However, I realize that, as a Christian, I am called to share my faith with unbelievers. And I also expect to be refuted. But it hurts, to be honest. Perhaps this is one of the ways in which the world will hate us. As Jesus said, "All men will hate you because of me." (Luke 21:17)

 

[Guest]

JoJo,

So, basically, you're saying, "Don't ask questions. Just believe." Is that an accurate summary?

 

[Aero_Hudson]

JoJo,

So, basically, you're saying, "Don't ask questions. Just believe." Is that an accurate summary?

That's not what I read from JoJo. I think she is saying that as Christians we need to find more reasons to believe others' testimonies than refute them.

 

[Guest]

That's not what I read from JoJo. I think she is saying that as Christians we need to find more reasons to believe others' testimonies than refute them.

If we need to seek reasons (i.e., evidence) to believe then we obviously don't have faith.

 

[Fembot]

JoJo,

So, basically, you're saying, "Don't ask questions. Just believe." Is that an accurate summary?

That's not what I read from JoJo. I think she is saying that as Christians we need to find more reasons to believe others' testimonies than refute them.

:amen

 

[Fembot]

Aero

Interesting stuff in this thread over the weekend. Some random Aero thoughts...
When I say that I have heard God's voice, so far, in my brief time as a Christian, this is not an actual voice. For me, that has been a metaphor. What I experience / feel are circumstances and coincidences that are just too timely to be such.

That's because they are real. Let no one tell you that they aren't.

I had another example over the weekend. To make a long story short, my wife and I had a couple of arguements over the weekend. I am a bit more laid back with life and take things as they come. She cannot and obsesses over everything and makes mountains out of mole hills. I prayed multiple times to help me be patient with her and to help her find her way.

Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Psa 31:18 Silence their lying lipsâ€â€those proud and arrogant lips that accuse the godly.

I go to church yesterday and what is the pastor talking about? Happiness. Several themes within talked sbout the things that are important and the things that are not. He also provided tips on how to come to peace with your life and what you can control and what you cannot. For me, this hit way too close to home to be just a coincidence. This is the 3rd or 4th time this has happened to me since becoming a Christian.

It has happened to me all my life. With the people this society calls outcasts! God's people will always touch your heart, you'll KNOW when he is speaking through someone. I take note of what my pastor says and look it up in the Bible. Sometimes it is not very clear, you have to look at the verses before and after (and if this world allows you enough time-the entire chapter) then you'll find hidden messages that you were meant to see. I am so happy for you that your ears and heart have opened to His voice. So happy. Congratulations.

I am reading a book that I picked up yesterday..."The God Question" by J.P. Moreland. Great book that discusses the ways to look at the world. He talks about Naturalism and the belief that only physical things exist and the world can only be explained by those physical laws of nature. He provides some great arguements on why this is not the case and why it presents a very close minded view of the world. He also presents a strong philisophical arguement as to why God exists.

Sounds like an interesting book. Might be off topic for me to mention, but "Hallographic Universe" is a great book about how we are living in a multi-dimensional universe. Some just cannot grasp that.

- Are there things in this world and beyond that we fail to understand? Is there a possibility that we may never find an explanation?

Yes. But if you seek the answers, they will come to you. Seeking is the hard part.

Let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:24)

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. ( 2 Timothy 3:16-17)

 

[Aero_Hudson]

Aero

Interesting stuff in this thread over the weekend. Some random Aero thoughts...
When I say that I have heard God's voice, so far, in my brief time as a Christian, this is not an actual voice. For me, that has been a metaphor. What I experience / feel are circumstances and coincidences that are just too timely to be such.

That's because they are real. Let no one tell you that they aren't.

[quote:2ab6iuy0]
I had another example over the weekend. To make a long story short, my wife and I had a couple of arguements over the weekend. I am a bit more laid back with life and take things as they come. She cannot and obsesses over everything and makes mountains out of mole hills. I prayed multiple times to help me be patient with her and to help her find her way.

Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Psa 31:18 Silence their lying lipsâ€â€those proud and arrogant lips that accuse the godly.

I go to church yesterday and what is the pastor talking about? Happiness. Several themes within talked sbout the things that are important and the things that are not. He also provided tips on how to come to peace with your life and what you can control and what you cannot. For me, this hit way too close to home to be just a coincidence. This is the 3rd or 4th time this has happened to me since becoming a Christian.

It has happened to me all my life. With the people this society calls outcasts! God's people will always touch your heart, you'll KNOW when he is speaking through someone. I take note of what my pastor says and look it up in the Bible. Sometimes it is not very clear, you have to look at the verses before and after (and if this world allows you enough time-the entire chapter) then you'll find hidden messages that you were meant to see. I am so happy for you that your ears and heart have opened to His voice. So happy. Congratulations.

I am reading a book that I picked up yesterday..."The God Question" by J.P. Moreland. Great book that discusses the ways to look at the world. He talks about Naturalism and the belief that only physical things exist and the world can only be explained by those physical laws of nature. He provides some great arguements on why this is not the case and why it presents a very close minded view of the world. He also presents a strong philisophical arguement as to why God exists.

Sounds like an interesting book. Might be off topic for me to mention, but "Hallographic Universe" is a great book about how we are living in a multi-dimensional universe. Some just cannot grasp that.

- Are there things in this world and beyond that we fail to understand? Is there a possibility that we may never find an explanation?

Yes. But if you seek the answers, they will come to you. Seeking is the hard part.

Let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:24)

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. ( 2 Timothy 3:16-17)[/quote:2ab6iuy0]

Thanks Fembot! Great post!

 

[JoJo]

JoJo,

So, basically, you're saying, "Don't ask questions. Just believe." Is that an accurate summary?

No, that's not accurate. Questions are wonderful and welcome. But those questions designed to belittle the believer's experiences, views or opinions can be unproductive and hurtful. That's what I meant in the following paragraph:

So when a Christian shares his testimony, whether about being saved from a life of sin, a healing, or hearing the voice of God, and both unbelievers and those who call themselves Christians refute those testimonies or debate their legitimacy, it does no good...unless the inquirer is asking out of genuine desire to learn and understand. But when those testimonies are refuted for the sheer sake of argument in an effort to disprove the Christian's experiences, then not much good can come out of it.

 

[JoJo]

Thank you, Aero and Fembot, for understanding what I was trying to say.

 

[Guest]

But those questions designed to belittle the believer's experiences, views or opinions can be unproductive and hurtful.

Then you have misunderstood the intent of the questions. They are not intended to belittle. They are intended to point out inconsistencies of a given perspective.

 

[Guest]

If our criteria for knowing God's voice is faith or simply knowing, then we run a real danger of conflicts between believers. Consider the following.

Believer A says God said X. Believer B says God did not say X. How do they resolve the conflict? Well, compare X to the Bible. X passes the Bible test. Next, it has been suggested they pray about it. Well, after prayer both believers are still convinced of their own perspectives. How do we resolve this conflict? Well, let's bring in two more believers. After more prayer, the split is even with two believing God said X and two believing He did not. Thus, we have two witnesses in favor and two against. How do we resolve it?

That is the problem which arises with the faith or simply knowing approach. It leads to an impasse. How do we find a way around this impasse?

 

[researcher]

It is common within Christian circles to talk about the "voice" of God. That is, a feeling, sense, or some other form of inclination that God is directing a person towards something (e.g., a thought, an action, etc.). How can we as believers know this voice? That is, how can we know the voice is from God and not ourselves, culture, someone or something else? Or, to restate the question another way, what are the markers or attributes of God's voice which let us know it is God's voice?

When I was 5 I asked Jesus to come into my heart. I remember it vividly. But of course, we don't understand too much at that age, so, my calling (back) came when I was 23.

I was living in a friend's warehouse where a rock band that I sang for also practiced. Living the wannabe rockstar life of partying, fighting, etc. I was a rebel. One night I went to friend's apartment for a little get together. I ended up staying the night. In the morning, I found one of those big family bibles in the apartment. I began reading the book of Revelation as I was always interested in it when I was younger. I decided to look in the front of the bible since I had never really read any of the other books.

I turned to Genesis and began reading the Creation account. As I was reading, the page lit up, and, I understood all of the sudden that God really had made everything. Right as that happened, a voice said, "This is where the power is." I literally said, "Whoa" when this happened. I was raised in the church and went to a Christian school, so, I knew some things about God. I remember thinking, "God's trying to get my attention," and, "I can't ignore this." I knew I had to do something.

For the next three days I read the bible non-stop. I couldn't get enough. I also knew that I had to change my life. I quite the band, quit partying/drinking, and quit hanging out with my old friends. I found a church that I liked, and, went to live in a ministry house. I studied for the next four years to become a teacher/preacher. I believed that was what I wanted to do because many in my family are ministers/arch-bishops etc.. In the end, I pursued my political aspirations...

A literal example of His voice (or the Holy Spirit's), and a changed life because of it. ;) ;)