Editor’s note – As we are working on the 2010 House2House conference, we are rerunning some great stories from 2005. Enjoy!
By Vicky Porterfield
God Wants to Speak
One of my greater privileges as a child of God is hearing His voice. Every time the Lord communicates with me, I am grateful that my God is not made of wood or stone. He is a loving Father who desires to speak to His children (Deuteronomy 33:3).
Many people say, “I don’t hear God’s voice.” Then I ask, “Are you a sheep? That is, do you know Jesus as your Savior?” In Scripture, Jesus says, “My sheep know My voice” (John 10:27).
Fifteen times in the New Testament (including seven times in the book of Revelation) we read, “He that hath ears, let him hear.” God wants to reveal Himself and teach us His ways. Remember that Christ’s actions and speech were guided by the words of His Father. We can obey a boss or a parent only when we listen to what they say. Similarly, we must listen to the voice of the Lord in order to obey Him. “The sheep follow Him because they know His voice” (John 10:4). Before we learn to hear God, we must first know that He desires to speak to us, and then we must desperately desire to hear from Him.
Different Ways God Speaks
Just as you recognize the voice of a good friend, the closer you are in relationship with the Lord, the easier it is to recognize His voice.
God speaks to us in different ways. Primarily, God reveals Himself, His truth, and His instructions (commandments) through His written word. Before you seek outside counsel, first read the Bible and study to know its truths.
The Lord also speaks through dreams and visions. God speaks to us through people with wise counsel, especially bringing instruction through people of authority. The Lord speaks to us through the beauty of nature as we see His character revealed through lakes, mountains, stars and rain. Sometimes He gives us pictures. Sometimes He speaks to us through music. And then there’s that still, quiet voice which leads us with faith, hope and love. This inner voice is usually inaudible, but it is accompanied by a strong conviction or peace, a “knowing” inside our spirit.
God gives prophetic words to edify the body of Christ and offer direction. Prophecy is a gift of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 14) which warns and comforts believers. I have seen unbelievers who were given an accurate prophetic word repent and open themselves to the love of a caring God (1 Corinthians 14:24).
Many years ago at a women’s conference, a prophet called me forth and said that I would travel and teach crowds in this nation and beyond. Another told me that I would cross oceans and speak. These things seemed outside my scope since I was a mother of two and a part time real estate agent. Inside my spirit, I knew the Lord was speaking and preparing to build my faith for ministry that was bigger than I could imagine. It took many more “words of the Lord” to thrust me forward. Some came from my pastor, my husband, other friends in ministry, Scriptures, prophesies, dreams and many times of prayer when the Holy Spirit spoke words of promise and guidance. I had courage to obey because I had heard God’s voice many times in many different ways.
Discerning God’s Voice
As we listen, we must also learn to discern the voice of God from other voices. Is it God? Is it the devil? Or is it just me? Consider again the story of the Shepherd and His sheep from John 10. We learn that Satan comes as a wolf or a thief disguised in sheep’s clothing ready to steal, kill and destroy. It is essential to be alert and able to discern the true voice of God. You may find the table embedded in this article to be a helpful tool.
|
GOD (The Good Shepherd) |
SATAN (The Thief) |
OURSELVES (The Sheep) |
|
Loves and woos |
Drives and forces |
Desires attention |
|
Encourages |
Intimidates, demands and threatens |
Has unreasonable expectations |
|
Gives clear, specific instructions |
Exaggerates, gives vague and confusing instructions |
Analyzes all instructions |
|
Calls us by name, personal |
Uses derogatory, negative speech |
Is self-promoting, or self-demeaning |
|
Speaks truth, because He values you |
Lies, attacks, devalues |
Manipulates, controls |
|
Convicts of sin and offers forgiveness |
Condemns, rejects, blames |
Gravitates to painless ways, makes excuses |
|
Speaks in supernatural ways |
Uses magic, tricks, spells, sensationalism |
Uses reason and logic |
|
Offers hope, strength |
Instills fear and doubt |
Depends on self, pride |
|
Stretches you |
Limits what you can do |
Limits you to natural abilities |
|
Doesn’t compare you to others |
Forces comparison |
Compares you to others |
|
Ample provision |
Never enough |
Is materialistic, self-sufficient |
|
Wants you to trust God only |
Wants you to trust anything but God |
Wants you to trust yourself |
|
Wants all the glory! |
Wants all the glory! |
Wants all the glory! |
As you hear a “voice,” look at each column and identify the source of that voice. Ask yourself if what you are hearing or sensing is from God. Bind the voice of Satan in Jesus’ name. Repent of areas where your selfish interests interfere with God’s purposes. One thing is true of all three: each one wants all of the glory. When you respond to God’s instructions, He gives you great grace and He gets all the glory!
As we grow in intimacy with God, hearing His voice becomes more natural. As we mature in our ability to hear and discern His words, we become dependent on hearing His voice for prayer, for ministry and for life. What a privilege to know and communicate with a loving God!
Vicky Porterfield and her husband, John, co-founded PrayerFields, a ministry committed to helping Christians identify their field and learn to pray effectively in their place. They live in Austin, Texas and have two adult daughters.