This topic seems to be coming up in my conversations more frequently with my friends.
How do we know that we have heard instructions from God on a particular topic? How do we ensure that it is not just our minds making things up?
I love to read, and now that I spend less time on social media, I have more time to read. Because this has been one of my biggest questions as well – I have chosen books, and other media that specifically talks on this topic. Two of the books I recently read and highly recommend are “Discerning the Voice of God” by Priscilla Shirer and “Whisper: How to Hear the Voice of God” by Mark Batterson.
The one thing that stands out in hearing the voice of God is that what you hear will not contradict what the Bible says. You will not be given instructions that go against God’s character.
Some of the ways that Priscilla Shirer shares to know if God is speaking are:
1) He is persistent: you will receive the same information from different sources
2) He communicates personally: God knows exactly who you are, and he communicates to you personally
3) He brings peace: God gives His peace in situations
4) He exudes truth: If you are hearing anything except truth, it is not of God
5) He speaks with authority: Just like the disciples’ hearts’ burned within them when He spoke, you will know that it is not your own thoughts
Some of the tests that Mark Batterson shares are:
1) Goose-bump test: was there a quickening in your spirit?
2) Peace test: are you at peace about the decision/instruction?
3) Wise Council test: what are your trusted and wise counsellors saying?
4) Crazy test: does this idea seem too crazy for it to be your own thoughts?
5) Released from and Called to test: have you been released from what you were previously doing so you can move towards what you have been called to do?
By no means is this a comprehensive list. God is God and He can choose to speak to us in the manner He sees fit. As Priscilla stated, He is a personal God, and so are our relationships. He will personalize the way He communicates with you.
John 10: 27 NIV states: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for being a personal God. Thank you for reaching out to us and saving us when we were lost and without hope. Lord, help us to recognize your voice more clearly when we spend time in study of your word.