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Day 96: How God Speaks (Bonus Lesson 13)

One of a shepherd's many responsibilities is guidance. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who guides Christians. Unfortunately, many believers miss God because they do not know how He speaks or know what takes priority in hearing Him. The last lesson concluded with how worship and prayer help us hear God but spending time in the world helps us recognize His voice. God however speaks in various ways.

     1. Through the written word: 

Psalm 119:105 states that God's word is a lamp for our feet. The most important and primary way God speaks is through the Bible. Every other way He speaks and what He says must be tested by the word. The word of God is the litmus test for every voice we hear and decisions we make, both the little and the big ones. Many seemingly insignificant decisions we make day in and day out compound. So we must know and be full of God's word. As John 1 tells us Jesus is the word, we must follow His example in responding to those daily, moment by moment decisions.

     2. Through dreams and visions:

I like to think of dreams and visions as God speaking in pictures. Many people focus on these because it is spectacular. They must however be interpreted by the word and in line with it. God spoke to Paul in Acts 16 through a dream. Ananias in Acts 9:10 was spoken to by God in a vision. Visions and dreams should never negate the written word of God.

     3. By the inward voice of the spirit also known as the still small voice. 

The Holy Spirit's voice is so small, it can easily be missed. It is often mistaken for a personal thought. Many believers have heard the Holy Spirit's voice but thought it was their mind. As we spend time with Him in fellowship, His voice becomes clearer and more easily discernible. Not that He speaks louder, we just hear Him more.

     4. Through inward witness/perception

The inward witness is often a red light. It's like a buzzer that goes off when you're about to take a wrong step or make a wrong decision. It is a knowing we often cannot explain but is there. In Acts 27, Paul perceived trouble before it happened.

     5. Through prophecy:

This is one of the most abused ways of hearing God. Many believers gullibly follow prophecies without testing the spirit behind them. We must test whatever we hear through prophecies with God's word. An example of prophecy in the Bible is the Prophet Agabus' prediction of famine in Acts 11.

     6. Through human vessels:

Human vessels could be pastors, mentors, or fellow believers. Isaiah 30:20-21 says:

 ...your teachers will not be moved into a corner anymore, But your eyes shall see your teachers. Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.  

God sends men to guide and speak to us about His plans and purposes. We must also subject all we hear from them to God's word and exalt His voice in our hearts above others.

When making major life-altering decisions, there are three principles to hold on to as we listen for God's voice:

     1. Don't hurry or succumb to pressure.

Isaiah 28:16 says that those who believe will not make haste. The enemy oftentimes uses external pressure to drown out God's voice or get us to move without His leading. Don't listen to pressure. Listen to God. And be still till you're sure of what God is saying. 

     2. Watch for inner peace. 

Pastor Ayo Ajani always says:

 Peace is the greatest umpire.

Whatever disturbs God's peace in your heart is not God's will. Decisions that seem foolish or illogical but fill your spirit with assurance of the Spirit, joy, and serenity should be followed through. Don't let emotions rule your decisions, let peace do.

     3. Watch for confirmation

2 Corinthians 13:1 says that in the mouth of two or three witnesses, the truth is established.

Jesus in John 5:31-47 stated four witnesses that He was the Messiah. The scripture was one of them. So one of your witnesses in a matter must be God's word. If you have to ask the Lord again and again till you're sure, He doesn't mind. To establish a witness in the word, it must also be consistent with the New Testament not just the Old.

Whatever is not consistent with Christ's character and the written word, does not exalt Jesus as Lord or fit His plans and purposes for you, throw it out.

PRAY WITH ME:
Jesus the Good Shepherd, I submit myself to Your leading. I choose to follow Your voice, not men's, the world's, or my emotions. Help me live by Your word all the days of my life. Amen.

REFLECT & ACT:
  • In which of the ways discussed have you been led by God? How did you know it was God?
  • Every believer has a pattern in God: how God leads them. Do you know how God leads you? If you don't, think of major decisions you've made following God in the past and find your pattern.

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