Can you "hear" God? If you can, describe it.

sevenseas · Mar 9, 2017

Life is full of decisions that do not have absolute, specific-by-name, how-to directions in the Bible. How many hours a day should my kids watch TV? Is it okay to play shoot-ʼem-up video games? Am I allowed to go on a date with a co-worker? Does God get mad if I miss work because I stayed up too late the night before? We all have notions about the truth, but how do we know for sure that these ideas are coming from God? Am I hearing God? Or am I only hearing myself? Worse yet, am I hearing the temptations of Satan disguised as the leading of the Holy Spirit? Sometimes distinguishing our own ideas from God’s leading is difficult. And what if our urges are actually coming from the enemy of our souls and not from God? How do we “take every thought captive” (2 Corinthians 10:5) when we aren’t sure where the thoughts are coming from?

Most commonly, God communicates through the Bible, His inspired Word, preserved through the centuries for us today. It is through the Word that we are sanctified (John 17:17), and the Word is the light for our path (Psalm 119:105). God can also guide us through circumstances (2 Corinthians 2:12), the promptings of the Spirit (Galatians 5:16), and godly mentors providing wise counsel (Proverbs 12:15). If God wants to speak to us, nothing can stop Him. Here are some ways to discern the source of our thoughts:

Pray
If we are confused about whether or not we are hearing God, it is good to pray for wisdom (James 1:5). (It’s good to pray for wisdom even when we don’t think we’re confused!) We should ask God to make His will known to us clearly. When we pray, we “must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind” (James 1:6). If we have no faith, we “should not expect to receive anything from the Lord” (James 1:7).

Talk to God in prayer and earnestly wait for His answer. However, keep in mind that God doesn’t give us everything we desire, and sometimes His answer is “no.” He knows what we need at any given time, and He will show us what is best. If God says, “No,” then we can thank Him for the clarity of His direction and move on from there.

Study the Word
The Bible is called “God’s Word” for a reason—it is the primary way God speaks to us. It is also the way we learn about God’s character and His dealings with people throughout history. All Scripture is “breathed out by God” and is the guide for a righteous life (2 Timothy 3:16). While we speak to God in prayer, He speaks to us through His Word. As we read, we must consider the words of the Bible to be the very words of God.

Any thought, desire, inclination, or urge we may have must be brought to the Word of God for comparison and approval. Let the Bible be the judge of every thought. “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). No matter how urgent the urge, if it goes against what Scripture says, then it is not of God and must be rejected.

Follow the Holy Spirit’s Leading
The Holy Spirit is God—a divine Being with a mind, emotions, and will. He is always with us (Psalm 139:7–8). His purposes include interceding for us (Romans 8:26–27) and giving gifts to benefit the church (1 Corinthians 12:7–11).

The Holy Spirit wills to fill us (Ephesians 5:18) and produce in us His fruit (Galatians 5:22–25). No matter what decisions we’re making day to day, we can’t go wrong when we exhibit love, joy, peace, etc., to the glory of God. When we have a random thought pop into our heads, we must learn to “test the spirits” (1 John 4:1). Will following this inclination lead to more Christlikeness? Will dwelling on this thought produce more of the fruit of the Spirit in me? The Holy Spirit will never lead us to gratify the sinful desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16); He will always lead us toward sanctification (1 Peter 1:2). Life on earth is a spiritual battle. The enemy is eager to supply diversions to distract us from God’s will (1 Peter 5:8). We must be vigilant to ensure that what we heed is more than a feeling but is truly from God Himself.

Remember, God wants to show us the right path to take. He’s not in the business of hiding His will from those who seek Him.

Here are some good questions to ask as we examine whether or not we are hearing God: Are the promptings confusing or vague? God is not the author of confusion; He is the bringer of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33). Do the thoughts go against God’s Word? God will not contradict Himself. Will following these promptings lead to sin? Those who “keep in step with the Spirit” have “crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:24–25).

In addition, it is good to seek counsel from a Christian friend, family member, or pastor (Proverbs 15:22). Our pastors are there to help shepherd us: “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account” (Hebrews 13:17).

God does not want us to fail. The more we listen to God, the better able we will be at distinguishing His voice from the other noises in our heads. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, gives His promise: “He goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice” (John 10:4). Others may speak, “but the sheep [do] not listen to them” (verse 8). The better we know our Shepherd, the less we have to worry about heeding the wrong voice.

I second what Zone said and I will add this is about the best post I have read in these forums since I joined

I just don't have the patience to address all the reasons this concept of hearing from God in a way that indicates you are special and have been singled out by God for new revelation is not in line with scripture.

But someone has taken the time to write an excellent address to the op and I appreciate how sane this response is

So much liberty is taken that flies in the face of the truth of scripture. We are called religious if we believe God is male even though the Bible states emphatically that He is male. We are called religious if we point out error in new doctrines creeping into the church that have been created in the minds of those who think that being created in God's image must mean He is just like us

personally, I think the devil is doing a happy dance at having deceived so many

samuel23 · Mar 9, 2017

The question of this post was has anyone ever heard God speak, and the person did not mean reading the bible or having a sense that God is leading us in a particular way, He simply wanted to know if such a thing had happened to anyone here. at my salvation experience I have heard God speak to quite a degree with a voice to my mind while by passing my physical ear , it was not an impression it was a voice speaking words. I had the Lord tell me how to be healed one time(voice in the mind), was in the spirit realm once where I saw Jesus and He spoke briefly to me. Twice I heard God speak audibly for twenty minutes or so, I have had God put gas in my car, heal my back, told me when someone was taking my money...I could write a small book. Most of these things happened because I was having trouble...God gives more abundant honor to that part that lacks.

His · Mar 9, 2017

mj007 said:

OneFaith said:

samuel23 · Mar 9, 2017

God usually leads us through His word and sometimes through impressions, however to say that God NEVER speaks directly to anyone is to deny the NT. God spoke directly to a man, just like one man would talk to another, when He told this fellow to go to a certain place and pray for Saul. Some folks in the NT were told by God to do personal things that only pertained to them, Phillip was one. I have had God speak to me just like I am writing this message, in clear words, I will say this, generally speaking it has been rare. I wish it would happen more often but it is not anything we can control.

Hungry · Mar 10, 2017

sevenseas said:

It's not the patience that you lack, it's the scripture to refute what I've been trying to explain. Everything that I have said is completely in line with what has been taught, it just hasn't been explained the same. Everybody is so quick to condemn anything they cannot read word for word in the Bible. If gravity is not explained in the Bible does that mean it doesn't exist?

First I would like to say that most of the references regarding the trustworthiness of scripture refers to the old testament. They are the books written by prophets, in the classical meaning. The New Testament is a collection of letters and books written by people inspired by the Holy Spirit. People like you and people like me. Does everybody suppose that the Holy Spirit left the planet once these people died? The people who authenticated the New Testament are the same people who have tried to control the masses through religion. How much power do you think they have if they preached that everybody could hear God? They even manipulated people into believing that they were the ones who needed to be confessed to for their sins to be forgiven. Most people weren't even allowed to own a Bible, much less know how to read it. If they preached that there is no Law anymore, for those who are in the Spirit (Gal 5:18) that would eliminate their business of forgiveness. One of the things that separates us from God is what? Guilt! Enforcing the Law, increases guilt. All I've tried to explain is that it would appear through science that guilt effects our brains! Our emotions are connected to our brains and our brains are connected to our souls (minds) and our souls are connected to the Spirit of God.....through energy (not electricity).

I'm not introducing a new concept here. In the last days, knowledge shall be increased (Dan 12:4). We have technology to further explain things. Everything is energy. The communication of God through His Spirit, also energy. Christ said he was the Light of the world, light is energy. He is the Word, words are sounds, sound is energy. The question, "If a tree falls in the forest and nobody is around to hear it, does it make a sound?" can be answered this way. The tree hitting something or cracking, produces sound waves. That sound wave "energy" would have to be picked up by our eardrum, a receiver of sound waves and interpreted in our brains. Just like your radio is a receiver of radio waves, transformed to sound waves and again interpreted by our brains. This is all information passed on by waves of energy. What's to say God didn't equip our souls as receivers for His Spirit? The soul is connected to our brains and our body is connected to our brains. Our brains are computers to analyze information. If we bombard our brain with signals from the body, then maybe that causes interruption from the Spirit "signal" like changing the frequency on a radio dial? Love, gratitude, guilt, fear all change the energy signature in the body. The Bible clearly explains its the intentions and emotions that accompany deeds that are important. As well many times it is stated that he hears the cries of the oppressed, orphans, lowly. In most situations these would accompany lack and less pleasure. Pleasure causes increased stimulation to the brain from sensors in the body. Maybe it's something, maybe it's nothing. That's what I was trying to determine. If there is a relationship with people who claim they are tapped into the Holy Spirit and there lives or attitudes and those who have no idea what I'm talking about, and their responses. Sorry it's so frustrating for you.

Ariel82 · Mar 10, 2017

The Joy of the Lord overcomes the suffering of this world.

Most would find pleasure in that.

Ariel82 · Mar 10, 2017

Those who are born again and have received the Holy Spirit hear from God. (not "new revelations" but reinforcements of lessons already reveled in the Bible but also how to apply those lessons to our lives individually and collectively)

Those who claim that they don't receive "new revelations" are rejecting the new craze of false prophets who want to fleece the sheep and make "prophecies" that contradict the Bible.

Some do hear from God through reading the Bible and prayer and words of wisdom from godly people.

God speaks to us in many ways, but we might not always recognize it as God communicating with us or give God due praise and glory.

Most people aren't opposed to God speaking to people. They are opposed to "new revelations" that contradict the Bible.

Also the "special revelation" that promotes pride that certain people receive special knowledge that all of God's children don't equally receive.

It's based on the belief that anyone with the Holy Spirit should be able to see the truth or falsehood of any revelation through His guidance. This testing the spirits to see if they are from God.

Ariel82 · Mar 10, 2017

You can call the Holy Spirit "energy" if you want. I prefer the metaphor that He is life giving water that gives life to our souls and can flow out of our hearts through our words and actions to others around us.

If you understand the importance of water for the physical bodies of humans, plants and animals,then you begin to understand in part the importance of the Holy Spirit to our spiritual bodies and life.

Hungry · Mar 10, 2017

Ariel82 said:

If you are saying what I think you are saying, then I would differentiate the words pleasure; meaning a state of excitement, or arousal of senses, from pleasure; a sense of satisfaction from having ones expectations met. We are joyful because we know that our struggles are temporary and have purpose. We wait in joyful expectation of something better because we trust our Lord is true. We are not joyful because God answers every prayer with, "Yes."

Ariel82 · Mar 10, 2017

What you find pleasure in changes as God works in your heart. Your desires change and become more align with God's will for your life.

Your expectations change as you gain wisdom from above to replace worldly knowledge and concerns.

Pleasure itself is not evil, its WHAT you take pleasure in that makes the difference.

Just as anger is just an emotion,it's how you repond that matters.

Do you take revenge or do you Pray and give it to God?

Hungry · Mar 10, 2017

Ariel82 said:

I don't disagree with you but what I'm trying to separate can be better understood if we apply it to sugar. Glucose feeds the body and gives it energy. Every sugar in nature generally enters the blood stream relatively slowly. Even fruit which is higher in sugar is fructose and fiber and metabolizes in the liver for a slower transformation into glucose, which triggers insulin. Insulin regulates sugar going into the cells. Sugar creates higher levels of serotonin and dopamine (brain chemicals responsible for pleasure and addiction) as designed so we continue to eat and survive. Man, especially in the food service industry capitalizes on this by adding tons of glucose into our food creating addictions to that food. Since the body is designed to prevent over saturating our cells with glucose, which would cause many problems including cancers. There are receptors that become sensitive or resistant to insulin. It's kind of like a fail safe. Since the body was never designed to handle such copious amounts of glucose, damage occurs. Because the receptors have basically kinked the hose allowing sugar to enter the cells, they are screaming for sugar and not getting it. So we consume more and more trying to satisfy.

The same thing happens in the brain where pleasure is concerned. Certain things like sex and excitement (scary movies, hilarious movies, video games, music) all cause serotonin and dopamine release in the brain. Since the brain needs to balance these chemicals to maintain neurological function, receptors control the amount the brain accepts. The receptors control the flow of the amount of pleasure that we can receive from something. Sex in it's original function would be like strawberries, yummy without causing damage. Pornography would be like a Nutella sandwich on white bread, high in excitation response. This after a while causes the receptors to adjust how much pleasure we can receive from it. That's why the first time is always the best time and after that pleasure reduces, often causing escalation and frequency of vice.

This system was designed by God to allow those in less affluent circumstances to function at the same state of contentedness as those who are more privileged. The less fun you have then the more you are capable of enjoyment. The more fun you have the less enjoyment you receive from it. This also explains why people who are rich and famous turn to drugs. They keep kinking the hose until nothing satisfies anymore. Others raised in squalor seem like they won the lottery if they get to go to a restaurant for dinner. This is the reason I feel that the music and video games these days is the cause of depression among teens in America.

My theory is that the soul is the receiver of the Holy Spirit, it gets transmitted into perceivable thought in our brains. If our brains are messed up from sugar and pleasure, and seeking the satisfaction that this world brings, then it adjusts our brain chemistry interrupting the messages from on High.

John 12:25

He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

Rev 12:11

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Anyways, it just looks from the big picture that all sin is a result of wanting more than you have and not recognizing that God is God and we are not. I believe that since I have accepted my circumstances and even though I'm not doing what I want and people aren't doing what I want them to, and I have surrendered to the service of others, my mind has opened in ways unexpected. It's like everything is being explained to me as I go. I think that this is the walking in the Spirit. I'm not trying to manifest the fruit of the Spirit, it just expresses itself naturally because my ego is the back seat. It doesn't mean I can't hear it, it just doesn't have the wheel.

samuel23 · Mar 10, 2017

No one is paying any attention to my post about the original question in the post, he,he, no problem. I would like to make a small statement. God is no respecter of persons, however that does not mean that if God put gas in my car one time that God is required to put gas in every other Christians car. God deals with us in the way God wants to. No respecter of persons means that God does not show special respect to someone because of gender, or race, or financial condition, or even of abilities. However God is God and He alone decides how to deal with each Christian. God talked to me at salvation and actually explained things to me, only the Lord really knows why. That does not make me any more saved but it did make me a convinced believer.

Hungry · Mar 10, 2017

samuel23 said:

I heard you brother! I think you made a solid point about it not being favoritism, its just talking to each of us in a way we can hear. I may do something like play chess with my son who likes my attention that way, and watch a movie with my daughter who enjoys spending time with me that way. I don't prefer one over the other, I communicate the same love with them differently. That being said, my original curiosity was trying to determine if God gave us all cell phones and some are loners and the line is always open when He calls, or some are socialites, and the line is always busy, and He can't get through. I'm thankful for your responses and seeing my intentions.

Ariel82 · Mar 10, 2017

You can get energy from other food than sugar and there are other types of sugar than glucose, we have frutose, sucrose, etc.

The Bible describes the Holy Spirit as water and water is more important to life than food. You can go a week or 40 days without food but wouldn't last 2 days in a desert without water.

God gives all living things water for both their physical and spiritual bodies.

We aren't cars in need of gasoline.

We are living beings in need of God's life giving waters.

JaumeJ · Mar 10, 2017

When people who claim to believe Jesus Christ cannot see beyond their human condition to the spiritual, they are not ready for Jesus christ. Here is a great big hint as to how we hçshould see ourselves as the Father does; Come the Day of the Lord, all we who have believed Him will be made to be just as He IS..........we do not know how that will be, but I know it is glorious. So when dealing with others, believers, be they mane or woeman, chinese, black, or whatever.....look to them as identicall to Jesus christ for that is how they truly are an you too................Praise God, amen.

samuel23 said:

1ofthem · Mar 10, 2017

God is still leading and guiding all of his children. God speaks to us in many ways. Sometimes it's in a still small voice within, sometimes it's in other ways that he gets my attention, but he always knows how to get my attention.

His sheep hear his voice and a stranger they will not follow. All we have to do is open up our spiritual ears and listen, and we can hear his voice.

samuel23 · Mar 10, 2017

If we are all identical then why would the bible say that God gives special honor to that part that LACKS. I believe(just me) that God did some things for me that are not generally done because God is a God of mercy and I needed it. I have known good solid Christians that have never heard God actually speak to them...maybe they did not need it because they were where they should be?

Hungry · Mar 10, 2017

Ariel82 said:

I guess it wasn't clear that I was describing how our body responds to sugar is the same way that our body responds to pleasure....or you didn't finish reading the post. The more we get, the more we want. When we keep feeding the desire, it prevents us from receiving pleasure from it. It keeps us in a perpetual state of lust. Lust just means want. All of life, the carnal world, people are trapped in a state of want/lust. New things, admiration of others, love and respect from a spouse, sex, tasty food, acceptance are all things that are the trappings of this world. These are all desires of the flesh and ego. If you don't care about these things, then you no longer have anything to tempt you into sin.

I realize that God gave us physical and spiritual bodies, that's been my point this whole time. When you are listening to the desires of the flesh, it may prevent you from hearing the desires of the soul (connection with the Almighty Father). Like you said "living water".

JaumeJ · Mar 10, 2017

God's way are not our ways. His wisdom is generated from Himself, and it cannot be questioned. There are many mysteries to be revealed, and you have hit upon just one of them.......... Now I do know I have been used a few times for His work and His will, and your quote makes me think of His having used even a wretch such as I........... God is so good, all of the time. God bless you.

samuel23 said:

NayborBear · Mar 10, 2017

(an open letter to Hungry)

Hungry said:

Wanna get this on "paper" (lol) afores I forgets it!.......It sounds increasingly evident as time goes onwards, that this "famine of the end times", (and y'all kin go look it up in the O.T. for back up), seems to be on the decline! YAY! Spirit of GOD, AND Father of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

......And then there are those who by righteous living (in their own eyes, and mostly in the "eyes of men") are disappointed, like the son in the prodigal who "didn't" ask for his fathers' inheritance....who "stayed" and worked!...Feeling, if you will some sorta "loss of entitlement/s"!..... Also see, there are posts in here that are giving praise to this guy Hungry, and his growing/maturing in his faith and spirit! Me?....You keep on hungering and thirsting for righteousness sake Hungry! And do not become dismayed when people mock and scoff you, in your growing/maturing! Especially, when it comes from mouths of those you would not expect things of this sort to be emanating/broadcasting from! Tis very startling, to be sure, and rather forces you to use a shorter pencil, with a much larger eraser, as you keep "updating your scorecard"! "Can't tell the players without a scorecard, yanno?

In "another" sense..It's the same situation Enoch found himself in, when he confronted The Spirit of GOD, concerning these "petitions" for reconcilliation FROM various members of the "fallen ones of the "katabol", or "overthrow", TO the Father and GOD of Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!...Tis also, in this book of Enoch, that methinks, the very first mention of the "70 weeks" occurs! It has been in my experience of spiritual growth and maturing that these "various ones", I mentioned, are not so much very interested in reconciling themselves TO God through you, as much as they are interested in reconciling YOU to them, and their cause! A cause which has not changed since before this current earth and heaven age, but necessarily CAUSED this current earth and heaven age, which was/is created for Jesus Christ of Nazareth! We can "see" just how powerful the "enemy" is TO the Spirit of GOD, by HIS "cursing" of the serpent, in the "garden of eden incident", and by, Noah's flood, when the dove came back with an olive branch. Which, merely caused them to "tone down" their tactics! giants, and various "other" perversions of birth, much written of, yet not limited to Greek Mythology! Which did occur in the previous earth and heaven age! And? Which shall not end, until the Spirit of GOD renders these enemies as a footstool, for the Lord of LORDS and King of KINGS, as a "prop" for His feet! So he can watch TV, I suppose, or have a beer, and BS with the boys!

This footstool is the lid, or cover to the bottomless pit, which SHALL remain in place during this up and coming next earth/heaven age...also referred to as "the millennia"! During which time, these "rudiments" will be gone, and a thousand years (?) of teaching and disciplines shall go forth! It is here where methinks the Apostle Paul said, "We shall be changed". I realize that it's been taught that everyone will be in "spiritual bodies", and there shall be no flesh bodies, BUT?..And I've been wrong before, and I may well be wrong now, (anyways) methinks, this is NOT the case! For arguments sake, allow me to pursue a question here concerning the flesh bodies of Adam and Eve BEFORE they "ate" the forbidden fruit proffered by that old serpent, and then, were sentenced to death! Am I right?....I dunno! Am I wrong?....Dunno that, either! Guess we all shall see, eventually! What I can say for a certainity, is that it keeps me pressing on, and foregoing my spiritual growth and maturation, and setting back on my laurels, awaiting for Calgon to take me away!

As for you, Hungry my man?....You bang, bang, ba-jo-bang, bang onwards!

Can you "hear" God? If you can, describe it.

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