We live in a world where we are constantly consuming information and it isn’t hard to find!
We can feed ourselves as much information as we want without ever having to delve deeper. Our fast pace life can make it really easy to avoid slow deep reflection. Just because slowing down is easy to avoid doesn’t mean we should avoid it! Spending as much time listening to God as we do reading and learning from others is key to filtering everything through our faith.
There have been times in my life when I have read 2-3 books on a spiritual topic all at one time, am a part of a weekly Bible study, and reading my daily devotional, but I never once took time to listen to what God wanted to speak into my life.
The Word of God is living and active and not made to be used to consume and spit out when needed. We need to spend time letting it nourish us!
Here are three important things to remember when it comes to listening to God’s voice:
1. Recognize that relationships are two-way streets.
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” –James 4:8
I have had friends where they do all of the talking and I feel like they don’t know me at all, and I’ve had friends where I’ve done the talking and they never open up. These relationships are not balanced or healthy. God wants a relationship! He wants you to spend time learning about and understanding Him while also listening to the Holy Spirit use His words to speak into your life.
2. Invite the Holy Spirit in and listen.
You will never be able to listen to God if you don’t invite the Holy Spirit to work! Ask the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom, discernment and to lead your life! You will begin to see the many ways the Lord works through His Spirit and uses it to connect us to Him!
3. Don’t try to force God to say something.
There have been times when I did take the time to listen to God when I almost “forced” the response I wanted. Weigh everything you think you “hear” against the Scripture. Be sure it’s not your voice speaking and that it actually is, in fact, the Holy Spirits!
God’s voice:
Stills you.
Leads you.
Reassures you.
Encourages you.
Convicts you.
Comforts you.
Does the voice you hear do those things? If not, pray that God’s voice will overtake anything that tries to get in its way!
The next time you find yourself consuming without making time to reflect, stop and take a moment to listen to God’s voice. He wants to lead you, but you have to invite him!
Thank you for this write up.
I agree with you, this is something we must learn. Let me share this short story. We went out for evangelism in our neighborhood and the people were happy for our visit, we shared the word, prayed for them and invited them to come to church this Sunday. What surprised me is that many of this people we visited are bar owners. When I came back home I ask myself which type of message should I preach on Sunday. I heard examine yourself whether you are still in the faith. I started preparing this message but as I was praying which type of message Lord which message, The Lord said change your message to the grace of God John 1: 16-17.
If Christians will learn to hear from God, they will experience God on a daily basis.
I NEED POINTER’S I WANT TO HEAR GOD’S SMALL STILL VOICE AND I AM STRUGGLING ANY ADVICE,
Hi Melody, thank you for your comment. All I can say is that many do struggle with this, just like you. You aren’t alone. Keep to the Word of God and keep praying. Whether or not you can hear God, He is always there and always listening to you.