Listen UP! When the Spirit Speaks. Learn God’s Voice
I seem to be going in circles.
Have you ever felt like you were “spinning your wheels” in your business, with your family, ministry, or even personal goals? Perhaps you’ve invested your heart in your marriage or to raise your children or grandchildren; but seem to be getting no where. No doubt, there are seasons when we don’t seem to “hear” from God or know what steps to take. But, other times, God is speaking, and perhaps we’re not as “in tune” to Him as we might be.
In my “Listen UP!” Conference, I share six points based on the acronym L.I.S.T.E.N. to help us better “hear” from God. Today, we’ll focus on the first one: Learn God’s Voice.
L earn God’s Voice
In John 10:27, Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” Did we catch that? Jesus says we can “hear” His voice. We have the option to “follow” Him. In case we think His words were meant only for the disciples in His presence, we need to “hear Him out.” Jesus told His followers that He would send the Holy Spirit as a Helper from God to us. (John 14:16-17) He said the Holy Spirit would speak to us. (John 16:13) We must remember that God is Spirit (John 4:24) and that He created in us in His image. In other words, He created us to be able to commune with Him and He with us. “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23
Lean IN and Learn God’s Voice by Studying His Words
How do we learn God’s voice? We “LEAN IN” to Him. In other words, we study the Bible, His WORD, to know His words. For example, if we read His Words in Ephesians 4:26, “Be angry, but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,” then when the Spirit prompts our heart to work out our differences before we go to bed, we’ll wake with a restored relationship; not an estranged one. Lean in. Read the Bible with an intent to hear and obey God’s voice.
Lean IN in Prayer
Jesus tells us to ask God for our needs. (Matthew 7:7) However, an equally important part of prayer is listening to God. When you pray and study the Bible, have your prayer journal handy so you can record what God impresses on your heart. With Bible in hand, you can confirm, “Is this consistent with God’s voice.” For instance, if the Holy Spirit prompts you to call someone with whom you’ve had a difference of opinion, you may feel it’s no use; they’ve made it clear they don’t want a relationship. However, when you read Romans 12:18, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men,” you know the prompting is consistent with God’s Word. You’re not responsible for how the person responds. You’re responsible to follow God’s “voice” prompting you; confirmed by His Word.
Other ways to Lean IN are to gather with other believers for study, prayer, and fellowship. Lean IN by listening to sermons and praise music. Lean IN by asking God to teach you to discern His voice.
Instead of going in circles or going in the wrong direction, we can Listen UP, learn God’s voice, and follow Him.
Father, thank You that You created us triune beings with a spirit to know, hear, and follow Your Spirit. Teach us to discern Your voice. In Jesus’s name, amen.
“I never journaled before, but now, it has changed the way I pray. I feel closer to Him.” Prayer Journal Participant