The Lord speaks to us by placing his thoughts into our minds. We need to make sure we are paying attention.
One thing people need to be aware of are the three thoughts that come into the mind:
1. The Lord speaking
2. Our own thoughts
3. satan's temptations
From my own study, of the thoughts in my mind, the three come at different levels volume.
1. satan's temptations, and he can quote the Bible, are more like BOLD thoughts, more enhanced
so to speak. His comments are usually accompanied by a guilt motivation. That is, "you should have said", "you should have done this", or "you shouldn't have done that."
2. My own thought seem to fall in the mid-range level
3. The Lord seems to speak in a small quite voice, that seem to come from no where. His word's
don't have the "guilt" complex, but of repentance. Say, someone has spread gossip. When that
person is convicted of gossip, in their mind, satan may say, "wow, you failed, everyone probably
sees just what kind a person you really are." From the Lord you may get, "Look to Me, I will
forgive you, I will help you not to do this."
This is something people need to step back and examine the thoughts that go through their
minds. Do study and take note of where they lead. When people get it figured out, that voice
from the Lord will be recognized, and there wont be doubt about on "is the Lord really telling me
this?" I think this is a reason why people don't pay attention when the Lord speaks. They
haven't figured out who is really speaking in their mind.