Have you ever believed you have heard God’s voice or received a message from God but then doubted yourself afterward? You start wondering “Was that really God?,” or You may be attempted to think like this, “Perhaps that was simply my own thought, or perhaps the enemy was attempting to deceive me”.
I’ve spent more time there than I’d like to confess. If you’ve struggled to learn how to recognize God’s voice, I want to re-assure you that it’s a process. It gets easier to hear from God as we mature in our faith and grow in Christ. Here are five ways to recognize God’s voice to aid you in your Spiritual journey.
God’s voice gives comfort.
Unfortunately, many people see God as a cruel and punishing ruler in the sky. If people expect to hear from God, they want a surprising and terrifying voice. Hearing from God, on the other hand, has taught me that His Words always brings comfort.
I asked God for help with a decision I needed to make sunday while praying at church. I felt Him move my heart in a particular way about that decision, I felt instantly my chest relax, my jaw relax a bit, and my respiration slowed right down. Moving in this path gave me serenity, and I knew I was on the right track.
Hearing from God may not always bring us peace right away, especially when He asks us to do something we don’t want to do, but it will eventually. (Isaiah 6:9) Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and His Word will always guide us to a peaceful life.
God’s voice will never contradict His word
God’s Word will never be contradicted. As a result, you can question yourself, “Does that thought in my mind right now coincide with the Bible?”
God does not say one thing and then say something quite different. It’s true if He says it, and it’ll always be true if He says it.
God is trustworthy. He isn’t impatient. He doesn’t change His opinion. God will never tell you to break a rule that He has already laid down for you in His Word, the Bible.
So, if you’re not sure if you’re hearing God’s voice, the first thing you should do is ask yourself, “Does this idea lineup with what God has already said?” You know what you’re thinking is wrong if it contradicts something God has already said in the Bible.
- God will never contradict what is written in His Word. He will not encourage you to sin or disobey His commands. It is not God who urges you to do so.
- God will never contradict Himself. So, if you are trying to recognize His voice, the best starting place is to ask yourself, “Is this idea in harmony with the Word of God?”
James.1:13-14 – And remember, no one who wants to do wrong should ever say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else either. Temptation comes from the lure of our own evil desires.
God’s voice does not cause confusion.
1 Corinthians.14.33 – “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the other churches.”
A message from God can provide enlightenment and silence all other voices of doubt. Confusion is an evil technique; understanding and discernment are gifts from the Holy Spirit that assist us in living the life God has called us to live.
God’s promise is true.
There are plenty of people who will tell you what God has to say about your life. However, if it never comes true, it isn’t from God. God does not lie.
“So shall my word be that comes from my lips; it shall not return to me empty, but shall achieve what I intend and succeed in the task for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11
God’s voice is a turning point. (Brings change)
As God speaks to us, we are encouraged and inspired to change. His Word gives us the ability to fulfill our goals and become the people we’ve always wanted to be.
God created the heavens and the earth with His words. Consider what a single word from God could mean in your life.
Importance of hearing God’s voice?
It is important for God’s followers to be able to recognize God’s voice. The enemy lies and speaks negativity.The enemy always has something negative to say about you. That is why he is referred to as the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:9-11): his entire purpose on earth is to accuse. He accuses you in front of God, men, and even yourself.
However, once you can listen and recognize God’s voice, you allow truth to enter. God will always say what is good and true. God will always say things that are incredibly good to you (even if they are difficult to hear).
God’s voice changes the situation and provides guidance. He comforts us when we are in need of it. He reminds us that we are His, and that He has purposes for us.When we can hear God’s voice, we have the strength to defeat the enemy. Our success is in Christ, and we will remember that as we listen to God’s voice.
Finally, consider the following:
God is not the same as a human being. He won’t shout or scream to catch our attention. He doesn’t do like that. One of the main reasons I believe Christians today do not hear from God is that our lives are too noisy to allow us to hear God’s still little voice.
In order to recognize God’s voice you need a place of silence, and this requires rest, which many of us avoid. Our silence is exchanged for a noise, and rest is exchanged for more money. Work is important and, of course, a divine gift. (Genesis 2:15)
Rest, on the other hand, has its advantages, and we are also told to rest. (Exodus 20:8–10) Work and rest are not mutually exclusive. They are both beneficial.
We position ourselves to hear from God as we approach a more healthy perspective of rest. Take some time today to remain still, and I encourage you to do so. Put down your phone, switch off your computer, and give your spirit some time to rest.
Allow God to communicate to your soul by turning off all the noise that may be drowning out God’s voice.
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