How do you know when God is speaking to you?

[Nathan Alterton]

Nathan, thanks for pointing out that particular instance in Acts 15. I think that's why it's important for us to constantly renew our minds in the Word of God so that, just like the Apostles, when we're looking for direction and clarity we have God's Word (or the mind of Christ) in us and we can go off what His Word speaks to us.

Let me ask you a question, Nathan. How do you believe modern day Prophets hear from God? I know they have a special gift from God that we don't have... but do you believe God speaks directly to them concerning another person, or a situation?

I never said that God does not speak to individuals at times, even today, and I do believe in a present gift of prophesy. I happen to know several individuals whom I believe that God spoke to in a very audible way at a specific time of need in their lives. But again, those people weren't seeking to hear from God at the time, He broke through and communicated with them in an unmistakable way.

I believe that God has spoken to me through a man with the gift of prophesy. He was a stranger I had met for a day, and before we parted company, he spoke to me very specifically about a serious personal crisis I was going through at that time. He knew details there was no way he could have known, which was a sign that his message was genuine. How God communicated that information to him, I don't know, nor does it really matter to me. I don't have that gift, and prophesy is not something one can learn - it's a gift that either one has or one doesn't have.

What I find troubling is that so many Christians, many I know personally, are very caught up in this view that they should be trying really hard to listen for God's whisperings to them. This seems spiritual, and the language of listening for the "still small voice" has become all but ubiquitous in the Church. But in my time with teaching both adults and highschoolers I have found that this mindset almost always leads to confusion and doubt. I can't count the number of times I have been asked by fellow believers how they can tell whether some idea that popped into their heads is the voice of God, or Satan, or possibly just came straight from their own mind.

What I always point out is that they shouldn't spend so much time worrying about the source. Maybe it is the Holy Spirit that gave them the thought or maybe it's their own idea, but does it really matter, shouldn't we evaluate all decisions we face the same way? The Bible tells us repeatedly to exercise wisdom and good judgment and to bend our minds toward the things of God. If we are presented with a course of action and it appears a Godly and righteous thing to do based on our knowledge of the principles God has given us, and we have the desire and ability to carry it out, then it really shouldn't matter whether the Holy Spirit prompted us to it or we decided to do it on our own. God has given us enough information to allow us to make wise decisions and be faithful and righteous children of His Kingdom. As we grow and mature we should be continously becoming more able to stand and reflect the mind of God in our lives.

 

[reba]

Nathan, Well said great post!

 

[Nathan Alterton]

Another interesting point on this subject:

It is often said that God speaks, or directs, via "closed and open doors." I.E. I applied to ten universities, but only one accepted my application. Clearly this is a case of God closing the doors to those other possibilities and communicating His will to me for my education by opening the door to X university."

However, the Bible does not teach that God communicates His will for our lives by using "open" or "closed doors." Two contrasting examples:

1 Corinthians 16:7-9, ESV

For I do not want to see you now <SUP class=xref value='(J)'></SUP>just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, <SUP class=xref value='(K)'></SUP>if the Lord permits. But I will stay in Ephesus until <SUP class=xref value='(L)'></SUP>Pentecost, for <SUP class=xref value='(M)'></SUP>a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and <SUP class=xref value='(N)'></SUP>there are many adversaries.

In this passage, Paul saw an opportunity to work and work effectively in Ephesus, he saw an "open door for ministry" there and chose to take it. But is it the case that situations like this tell something about God's will for our lives that must not be ignored?

2 Corinthians 2:12-13, ESV

When <SUP class=xref value='(M)'></SUP>I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though <SUP class=xref value='(N)'></SUP>a door was opened for me in the Lord, my spirit <SUP class=xref value='(O)'></SUP>was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia.

In this passage, Paul acknowledges that it was God Himself that opened the door for ministry there, yet clearly states that he (Paul) was desirous of seeing Titus so he left Troas to look for him.

Let me say that again: God gave Paul an opening to serve in a certain place. Paul's desires at that time were elsewhere (with seeing Titus). So Paul left to follow that particular desire at that time.

I glean two things from these passages:

1) God does open doors to ways we may serve Him from time to time.

2) God does not expect us to go through every door He has opened, or disregard our desires when it comes to choosing a course of action.

If we are genuinely seeking God, and genuinely want to live lives reflective of Christ, God does not expect us to fore-go all our own desires. He allows us room to both serve Him and pursue things that we want as well, making wise decisions about when and how we do both (emphasis on WISE).

 

[Jarrod@ OptimisticJourney]

Another interesting point on this subject:

It is often said that God speaks, or directs, via "closed and open doors." I.E. I applied to ten universities, but only one accepted my application. Clearly this is a case of God closing the doors to those other possibilities and communicating His will to me for my education by opening the door to X university."

However, the Bible does not teach that God communicates His will for our lives by using "open" or "closed doors." Two contrasting examples:



In this passage, Paul saw an opportunity to work and work effectively in Ephesus, he saw an "open door for ministry" there and chose to take it. But is it the case that situations like this tell something about God's will for our lives that must not be ignored?


In this passage, Paul acknowledges that it was God Himself that opened the door for ministry there, yet clearly states that he (Paul) was desirous of seeing Titus so he left Troas to look for him.

Let me say that again: God gave Paul an opening to serve in a certain place. Paul's desires at that time were elsewhere (with seeing Titus). So Paul left to follow that particular desire at that time.

I glean two things from these passages:

1) God does open doors to ways we may serve Him from time to time.

2) God does not expect us to go through every door He has opened, or disregard our desires when it comes to choosing a course of action.

If we are genuinely seeking God, and genuinely want to live lives reflective of Christ, God does not expect us to fore-go all our own desires. He allows us room to both serve Him and pursue things that we want as well, making wise decisions about when and how we do both (emphasis on WISE).

Yea, okay Nathan... sure

 

[for_his_glory]

Gods Spirit speaks to my conscience as I seek His face in all things that are centered around Him so I may be pleasing to Him and in His perfect will for me. When I have questions he speaks to me through His word for the answer. I do love it when he speaks to me through the glory of His creation when I walk in the woods or floating on the river and reflect on His goodness.

I wish I knew how to post pics in here. Can anyone tell me how?

 

[Classik]

I wish I knew how to post pics in here. Can anyone tell me how?

:D
Posting pics used to give me headache here until I performed the required trick;)

One of the easiest ways is:
Type the code:

and then copy the url of the image you want to display. Paste it inbetween the brackets - just in the middle. Do not leave a space

Here is your your avatar's URL in blue:
http://www.christianforums.net/image.php?u=71712&dateline=1303660748
eg

where the **** is the URL of the image you want to use.

Copy it into the code and you have something like:

 

[Classik]

:D
Posting pics used to give me headache here until I performed the required trick;)

One of the easiest ways is:
Type the code:

and then copy the url of the image you want to display. Paste it inbetween the brackets - just in the middle. Do not leave a space

Here is your your avatar's URL in blue:
http://www.christianforums.net/image.php?u=71712&dateline=1303660748
eg

where the **** is the URL of the image you want to use.

Copy it into the code and you have something like:

You can also try here to get the whole trick

 

[Classik]

If the image is on your hard disk, CD, Memory card etc, then try the Manage Attachments option found down the page

 

[for_his_glory]

 

[for_his_glory]

Thanks for the info. I tried it but it didn't work from my documents. OH, Well. totopic

 

[for_his_glory]

Opps, sorry was trying again, my bad,

 

[elijah23]

In the Bible, we hear of the Lord speaking to different leaders in many different ways. He spoke to Moses through a burning bush. He spoke to Mary through Gabriel, the angel, messenger of God. He spoke to Noah when God instructed him to build the ark. There were many other ways God spoke to various different Bible figures such as Abraham, Job, Apostle Paul, the Prophets Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, etc. But today is a new day, things have changed a bit. The lifestyle is different. We hear from God in different ways. There's the "still small voice", there's a nudging in our spirit that we often yield to... and sometimes fail to yield. I would like to hear from you. How do you know when God is speaking to you?

It seems to me this might be the question of the ages. Life is all about learning to communicate with the Lord. There is no easy answer, but the Lord is waiting for each of us to develop a personal relationship with him. Paul tells us to pray constantly (1 Thess 5:17). That is a big part of it. We must then always be “listening†for what the Lord is saying to us. Sometimes we become aware of things, and this awareness is the Lord speaking to us. We must constantly be listening for him.